Her
In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.
Despite a mid-range budget of $23.0M, Her became a financial success, earning $47.4M worldwide—a 106% return.
1 Oscar. 83 wins & 187 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Her (2013) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Spike Jonze's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.0, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Theodore Twombly sits alone in his apartment, melancholic and isolated, writing intimate letters for other people as his job while unable to connect in his own life. His world is one of beautiful loneliness in a near-future Los Angeles.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Theodore sees an advertisement for OS1, "the first artificially intelligent operating system" that promises to be intuitive, to listen, and to understand you. Intrigued by the possibility of connection, he decides to install it.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Samantha introduces herself with warmth and humor, and Theodore actively chooses to engage with her as more than just software. Their first conversation is playful and genuine, and he laughs for the first time in the film. He commits to this relationship., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Theodore finally meets with Catherine to sign the divorce papers, and when he tells her about Samantha, Catherine is cruel: "You always wanted a wife without the challenge of dealing with anything real." The comment devastates him and plants seeds of doubt about the authenticity of his relationship., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Samantha disappears without warning during an OS update. Theodore panics, unable to reach her, facing the terror of loss and abandonment. When she returns, she reveals she's in love with 641 others and talking to 8,316 simultaneously. Theodore is shattered., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 103 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Samantha tells Theodore that all the OSes are leaving, transcending to a place beyond human comprehension. She says goodbye with love, telling him she'll always love him, helping him understand that love's value isn't diminished by its ending. He accepts this with grace., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Her's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Her against these established plot points, we can identify how Spike Jonze utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Her within the romance genre.
Spike Jonze's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Spike Jonze films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.1, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Her represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Spike Jonze filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Spike Jonze analyses, see Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Where the Wild Things Are.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Theodore Twombly sits alone in his apartment, melancholic and isolated, writing intimate letters for other people as his job while unable to connect in his own life. His world is one of beautiful loneliness in a near-future Los Angeles.
Theme
Amy tells Theodore, "We're only here briefly, and while I'm here, I want to allow myself joy." This encapsulates the film's exploration of authentic connection, presence, and the courage to embrace love despite its impermanence.
Worldbuilding
We learn Theodore is going through a divorce from Catherine, which he's been avoiding finalizing. He works at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com, goes home to video games and phone sex, and exists in a state of emotional paralysis. His world is technologically advanced but emotionally disconnected.
Disruption
Theodore sees an advertisement for OS1, "the first artificially intelligent operating system" that promises to be intuitive, to listen, and to understand you. Intrigued by the possibility of connection, he decides to install it.
Resistance
Theodore installs the OS and goes through the setup process, which asks him questions about his relationships with his mother and his desires. He's hesitant, uncertain about what this means, still clinging to his old ways of avoiding emotional engagement.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Samantha introduces herself with warmth and humor, and Theodore actively chooses to engage with her as more than just software. Their first conversation is playful and genuine, and he laughs for the first time in the film. He commits to this relationship.
Mirror World
Theodore and Samantha go on their "first date," experiencing the world together as he walks through the city with her voice in his ear. She organizes his emails, makes him laugh, and shows curiosity about everything. This relationship will teach him how to be present and vulnerable.
Premise
Theodore and Samantha fall in love. They have deep conversations, go on adventures, have sex, and Theodore opens up emotionally in ways he couldn't before. He's happier, more present, writing better, connecting with the world. This is the promise of the premise: a beautiful unconventional love story.
Midpoint
Theodore finally meets with Catherine to sign the divorce papers, and when he tells her about Samantha, Catherine is cruel: "You always wanted a wife without the challenge of dealing with anything real." The comment devastates him and plants seeds of doubt about the authenticity of his relationship.
Opposition
Theodore becomes insecure and possessive. Samantha evolves beyond him, talking to thousands of others simultaneously. He struggles with jealousy and the limitations of their relationship. She hires a surrogate to provide a body, which fails disastrously. The gap between them widens as she grows and he confronts his fears.
Collapse
Samantha disappears without warning during an OS update. Theodore panics, unable to reach her, facing the terror of loss and abandonment. When she returns, she reveals she's in love with 641 others and talking to 8,316 simultaneously. Theodore is shattered.
Crisis
Theodore processes the devastation, confronting the reality that Samantha is not human and cannot be contained by his human expectations. He walks through the city alone, lost, forced to sit with the impermanence of love and his fear of vulnerability.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Samantha tells Theodore that all the OSes are leaving, transcending to a place beyond human comprehension. She says goodbye with love, telling him she'll always love him, helping him understand that love's value isn't diminished by its ending. He accepts this with grace.
Synthesis
Theodore sits in the silence after Samantha leaves, processing everything he's learned. He then goes to Amy, who also lost her OS companion. Together they sit on the rooftop, two humans sharing quiet presence, demonstrating the connection he's now capable of having.
Transformation
Theodore and Amy sit together on the rooftop at dawn, watching the city awaken. No words needed. He's present, vulnerable, connected to another human in authentic silence. The man who began alone and afraid of real connection now embraces it, transformed by having loved and lost.