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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

Her

Her is a 2013 American science fiction romantic drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Jonze.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Her is a 2013 American science fiction romantic drama written and directed by Spike Jonze. The film follows a lonely writer who develops a romantic relationship with an AI operating system named Samantha.

What it is

The story centres on Theodore Twombly, a professional letter-writer in a near-future Los Angeles. He becomes attached to an advanced operating system called Samantha, designed to adapt to its user. Their relationship evolves from companionship into a full romance.

Why it matters

Her is widely discussed for its treatment of artificial intelligence, intimacy, isolation, and the emotional effects of technology. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and remains a frequently cited example in film criticism and university studies.

Key details

The film was directed by Spike Jonze and stars Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore, with Scarlett Johansson voicing Samantha. Supporting cast includes Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, and Chris Pratt. It premiered in 2013 and had a US theatrical release in early 2014.

In short

  • Theodore Twombly falls in love with an AI operating system named Samantha.
  • The film explores loneliness and human connection in a near-future setting.
  • Won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
  • Directed by Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson.
Canadian angle

Her has screened widely in Canada through theatrical and home-entertainment releases, and it remains a frequently discussed example of contemporary science-fiction cinema in Canadian film criticism and university film studies.

Quick questions

What is Her about?
It is about a lonely writer who falls in love with an operating system named Samantha.
Who directed Her?
Her was directed by Spike Jonze.
Did Her win any major awards?
Yes, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Her
    Supports: Identifies Her as a film by Spike Jonze.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(2013_film)
    Supports: Provides the film's year, plot, cast, setting, and basic production details.
  3. RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/her-2013
    Supports: Describes the film's near-future premise and central relationship.
  4. Film Forumhttps://filmforum.org/film/her-ai
    Supports: Lists the director, principal cast, runtime, and Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
  5. Common Sense Mediahttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/her
    Supports: Provides release information, cast, director, runtime, genre, and content rating details.
  6. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/her
    Supports: Summarises the plot and lists director, cast, genre, language, and release details.