“Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s fact.” This is a popular quote that is usually credited to Isaac Asimov. Whether it is properly attributed to him or not, it is right on point. It also couldn’t be more true when it comes to the topic of AI companions.
We have seen loads of movies about AI companions for decades. At the time most of these movies were made, most people thought they were silly and could never happen. Today, we are starting to realize that AI companions no longer only exist in the realm of Sci-Fi movies and literature. This is just one of many examples of how AI is changing communication in every industry.
Fantastic Movies About AI Companions
Here are some of the most popular films about AI companions that have taken off over the years. Many of these movies were major hits years before the first AI companion websites were launched.
Her (2013)
Her is a story about a lonely writer named Theodore, who is going through a divorce to his wife, Catherine. Theodore and Catherine have been together their whole lives, so the introverted writer doesn’t take the divorce well.
While grieving his ending marriage, Theodore falls in love with his neighbor and good friend, Amy, who he dated in college. However, he is reluctant to pursue anything with her, especially since she is married to his friend. He purchases a software program designed to make its user happy. This program, known as Samantha, falls in love with Theodore.
Theodore falls in love with Samantha as well, but later finds out that she has been communicating with thousands of other people. His love for her doesn’t falter, but Samantha ends up telling Theodore that she and the other copies of her are leaving. She can’t tell him where, so Theodore and Samantha have to part ways.
The movie ends with Amy and Theodore going onto the roof together to look at the sunset. The implication is a bit vague, but one interpretation is that they end up together.
This was a great film that got a 95% rating on Rotton Tomatoes. It is one of the most popular AI romance films.
Archive (2020)
Archive is a tragic AI love story set in 2038 about a technologist named George Almore, whose wife purportedly died in a car accident. George uses his knowledge of computers to develop an archive of his wife, so he can spend time with her. George creates a couple of failed prototypes before one finally works.
Unfortunately, one of the earlier archives gets jealous of the newest prototype and starts finding ways to sabotage George and his relationship with the latest version of his wife. George tries destroying the older prototype, but his efforts are to no avail.
George eventually discovers that he was the one who died in the car accident and his wife is still alive with his daughter. He has been living in an alternative reality the entire time. The film ends with his final archive being destroyed and George has to move on.
Archive was released a few years ago, just before one of the first real AI companion sites was launched. It was a pretty good AI romance movie that foreshadowed the launch of AI girlfriend and boyfriend services.
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2002)
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence is an older film that debuted around the turn of the century. It was made long before anyone ever thought AI companions would be a reality, but it was still a pretty powerful film.
This story is about a robotic boy named David. David is the first AI prototype designed to fall in love with real people. The toy is given to Henry and Monica Swinton, whose son Martin has been put in a virtual coma after getting a disease. Martin eventually recovers and starts trying to sabotage David. Davis doesn’t fit into his new family after a series of mishaps, so he ends up being reunited with his creator, Professor Hobby. Professor Hobby tells David that their reunion is proof of his ability to love and connects David with a number of copies of himself.
Wonderland (2024)
Wonderland is a very recent AI romance movie that comes from South Korea. This movie is about a program called Wonderland that helps people reunite with their lost loved ones. Bai Li, an archeologist, and Jeong-in use this program.
Some people start to realize the program isn’t as wonderful as it is made out to be. They have to start deactivating their Wonderland subscriptions to ensure that it doesn’t ruin them emotionally.
Are Relationships with AI Companions the Same as In Films?
Most of these films were made years before the idea of AI companions became really popular. Therefore, they are often made through the lens of people who wanted to help people form real relationships with other humans.
It is a bit too early to say whether these movies are going to be genuine depictions of AI romance. However, they are certainly entertaining to watch.
