Quick Answer
Clue: “2013 film in which Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with an A.I. operating system”
Answer: HER
Answer length: 3 letters
Clue number & direction: 7-Down
The New York Times crossword clue “2013 film in which Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with an A.I. operating system” is answered with HER.
Why HER Is the Right NYT Answer
- Her is the 2013 science-fiction romantic drama directed by Spike Jonze in which Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore, a man who falls in love with an artificially intelligent operating system called Samantha.
- NYT Mini answer lists and helper sites explicitly confirm that the clue about a 2013 film where Joaquin Phoenix falls for an A.I. operating system is clued as HER with a 3-letter entry.
- Because the clue names both the year and the exact premise, HER is the only film that matches, and its short title makes it a perfect crossword entry.
What HER Means in Plain English
- Her is the title of a film, not just the pronoun: it follows Theodore Twombly, a lonely writer, as he develops a deep romantic relationship with his A.I. operating system, Samantha.
- The movie explores themes of technology, intimacy, and modern relationships, often described as a quiet, emotional sci‑fi love story set in a near‑future Los Angeles.
- In grammar, “her” is the objective or possessive form of “she,” which is why the answer entry also shows up in grammar-based crossword clues.
Crossword-Specific Help and Pattern Tips
- In a grid, this answer appears simply as HER, commonly emerging with patterns like H_R or _ER as crossings fill in.
- HER is not obscure “crosswordese,” but it is a recurring entry because it’s a short, vowel-heavy movie title and a common pronoun, giving constructors a lot of cluing flexibility.
- Crossings in the Jan. 21, 2026 Mini (with entries like IGLOO, TETRA, ARFS, BAIT, OAR, etc.) confirm H–E–R where this clue sits, leaving no plausible alternatives.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see a clue mentioning Joaquin Phoenix plus an A.I. or operating system, immediately think HER and check whether the slot is 3 letters.
- Film-year clues like “2013 film …” often want short, award-nominated titles (HER, ARGO, MOON, etc.); use the plot detail in the clue to select the right one.
Outside of movie clues, HER appears constantly in pronoun-based clues like “That woman, to you” or “Object of affection,” so keep it ready as a go‑to 3-letter fill.
