Fulfilling the Need for Affection and Digital Intimacy in the Film Her (2013)

Uses and Gratifications Analysis

Abstract

The growth of digital media and artificial intelligence has fundamentally transformed how individuals form emotional connections and satisfy their need for affection. Media no longer serves as a channel for information or entertainment but it has evolved into a relational space where digital intimacy can genuinely take shape. This study examines how the film Her (2013) represents the fulfilment of affective needs and digital intimacy through the lens of Uses and Gratifications theory. A qualitative approach was adopted, combining close textual analysis of the film with a review of supporting academic literature. Her was treated as a cultural text, and the analysis concentrated on its narrative structure, dialogue, and character interactions as representations of digital media used for emotional fulfilment. The findings reveal that the film portraysdigital media as a paradoxical entity. On one side, it is capable of delivering emotional gratification through responsive and empathetic presence, thereby meeting individuals' need for affection and belonging. On the other side, relying on media as the primary source of intimacy risks constructing an illusion of closeness while gradually weakening real- world social bonds. This study concludes that the fulfilment of affective needs through digital media is situational and inherently limited, and it reinforces the continued relevance of Uses and Gratifications theory in understanding the relationship between humans and digital media in the era of artificial intelligence.