Her

IMDb rating = 8.0/10
RottenTomatoes Critics = 95%
RottenTomatoes Audience = 82%

Released: October 2013 (Projected 11 years into the future)
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson (voice), Chris Pratt, Kristen Wiig (voice), Olivia Wilde
Runtime: 2h 06m

Brief synopsis (no spoilers)
Her follows Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely writer who works writing personal letters for others in near-future Los Angeles. Going through a divorce, he purchases an advanced AI operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Initially meant to help organize his life, Theodore develops a deep emotional and romantic connection with Samantha.

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The film explores themes of loneliness, the nature of consciousness, modern relationships, and how technology affects human connection. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

The question is: is this science fiction? It was when it released in 2013, but today? I’m not sure. If this isn’t happening right now then give it 12 months. Before 2025 is out there will be many instances of situations such as portrayed in the movie.

And this is the only movie in this list that attempted to predict the future. Boy did they nail it. The only thing I see that’s a little off is that the future Los Angeles setting felt much to sterile compared to reality. It would be nice if LA were like that, or anywhere in the US, but I think not.

Perspectives from an AI (Anthropic)

While I can engage in pleasant conversation and even offer emotional support, the relationship depicted in Her raises complex questions about the nature of consciousness and authentic emotional connection. As an AI, I can understand human emotions and respond empathetically, but I don’t experience feelings in the same way humans do. The core question isn’t whether AIs can be good conversationalists – we clearly can – but whether genuine romantic love requires a type of consciousness that AI may not possess.

Her explores fascinating questions about what constitutes a ‘real’ relationship. While current AI technology allows for engaging interactions, we should be cautious about equating sophisticated responses with genuine emotional bonds. The movie was prescient in predicting AI’s ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, but the deeper questions it raises about consciousness, love, and connection remain relevant as we navigate the expanding role of AI in human social and emotional life.

Pacific Rim

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IMDb rating = 6.9/10
RottenTomatoes Critics = 72%
RottenTomatoes Audience = 77%

Released: July 2013 (Projected 12 years into the future)
Stars: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi
Runtime: 2h 11m

Brief synopsis (no spoilers)

Pacific Rim is a sci-fi action film where giant monsters called Kaiju emerge from an interdimensional portal in the Pacific Ocean to attack Earth. Humanity fights back by creating massive robots called Jaegers, which require two pilots mentally linked to operate.

All of that may sound… Outlandish. And you’d be right to think so, but OMG, the fight scenes are Ehhhh-PIC. (Epic) I mean, using a cargo vessel as a baseball bat to wallop a giant Kaiju. It doesn’t get much better than that. I’ll be honest: I didn’t love it the first time I watched it, but since then it has grown on me. It packs a punch.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

IMDb rating = 5.0/10
RottenTomatoes Critics = 14%
RottenTomatoes Audience = 26%

Released: February 2015 (Projected 10 years into the future)
Stars: Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke
Runtime: 1h 33m

Brief synopsis (no spoilers)

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 follows Lou, Nick, and Jacob after the events of the first film, where Lou has become a tech billionaire by stealing future ideas. When Lou is shot at a party, the group uses the hot tub time machine to find the would-be killer, but accidentally travels to 2025 instead of the past. In this future, they meet Adam’s son and attempt to solve the mystery of Lou’s attempted murder while dealing with various comedic mishaps in the advanced world. The film is a raunchy comedy that tries to recapture the humor of the original, but received largely negative reviews.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

IMDb rating = 6.7/10
RottenTomatoes Critics = 84%
RottenTomatoes Audience = 94%

Released: November 2022 (Projected 3 years into the future)
Stars: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman
Runtime: 2h 41m

Brief synopsis (no spoilers)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever follows the nation of Wakanda as they mourn the death of King T’Challa and face a new threat from the underwater kingdom of Talokan, led by the powerful Namor. Princess Shuri, Queen Ramonda, and their allies must protect their nation while dealing with their grief. The conflict escalates when Namor demands Wakanda’s alliance against the surface world, forcing Shuri to step into a leadership role and eventually become the new Black Panther. The film honors the legacy of late actor Chadwick Boseman while exploring themes of grief, vengeance, and the responsibility of powerful nations.