Movies

Breaking Down the Unconventional Rom-Com Ending of Oh, Hi!

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This isn’t your average romance tale. A guy named Isaac (Logan Lerman) encounters a woman called Iris (Molly Gordon). They share a romantic vacation, which includes an intimate moment. However, after their night together, Isaac informs Iris that he’s not keen on a committed relationship. Even though he’s bound by handcuffs at the time (they found them in the holiday home’s closet), Iris doesn’t release him and instead decides to keep him restrained. Instead of ending their connection, she chooses to prolong their weekend as a desperate attempt to make Isaac fall for her.

In essence, the casual greeting “Oh, Hi!” seems to echo themes found in the novel “Misery“. However, unlike typical films that may swiftly condemn Iris for her actions, Sophie Brooks’ film steers clear of portraying villains and avoids judging its characters. Instead, this unique romantic comedy delves into a profound exploration of the concept of being labeled “crazy”, a term frequently used as an insult against women. Though Iris is mistaken in freeing Isaac, Isaac manipulated her by feigning deep affection during their getaway, only to abruptly withdraw and declare disinterest in any serious relationship. It could be argued that such behavior might drive someone to act… irrationally.

Oh, Hello!” is a romantic comedy that delves into modern dating and the influence of expectations on our choices. According to its co-writer and director, Brooks, “Desire and expectation are the foundation of every narrative.” Expectations breed conflict within relationships, which is central to the story. The characters, Isaac and Iris, have different expectations, mirroring the complexities of contemporary dating. In today’s society, having wants and needs can sometimes be seen as excessive, leading people to adopt a nonchalant attitude.

While creating her second movie, Brooks drew inspiration from Joachim Trier’s 2021 film, “The Worst Person in the World,” to craft a romantic comedy with a dark undertone. She aimed to preserve the traditional aspects of the genre while infusing it with an honest portrayal of contemporary dating challenges.

Brooks emphasizes his desire to portray a female character who openly seeks love without fear of judgment or embarrassment. He points out that societal norms often label a man’s pursuit of love as romantic, while a woman’s is considered desperate or shameful. Brooks finds this double standard unfair. He admits he’s embracing the stereotype of the ‘crazy woman’, where she takes things too far, to teach a lesson that pressuring someone into a relationship is wrong. However, he believes that having expectations in a dating situation is natural and reasonable.

In an attempt to figure out how to free Isaac after the unintentional kidnapping, Iris enlists the help of her closest friend, Max (Geraldine Viswanathan), who in turn brings her partner, Kenny (John Reynolds). Max proposes a unique idea: casting a Wiccan spell to erase his memories. This concept was inspired by director Brooks’ longstanding fascination with witches. “Ever since I was in elementary school, I believed I would develop magical powers during puberty and was heartbroken when that didn’t occur,” shares Brooks.

Max, along with Iris, prepare a soup for Isaac, but due to his mistrust of Iris, they enlist Kenny (John Reynolds) to deliver it instead. The potion’s efficacy requires Iris to bless it by reciting over an open-air fire while being in the nude. Max stands beside her, both of them bare, and they synchronize their movements and chant together as a show of unity or solidarity.

Instead of just a delightful scene, it also serves as an insightful examination of genuine friendships between women in movies, which frequently portray rivalry or conflict. As Brooks points out, “There are so many frenemies.” However, the friendship between Max and Iris, being strong, supportive, and authentic, resonates deeply because it mirrors my own experiences with friends.

That evening, Isaac experiences an unusual dream. In this dream, he’s out on a date with Iris at a lively bar, where they share an open and heartfelt dialogue that offers insights into Isaac’s personality and reservations about relationships. As the dream progresses, they find themselves at a vacation home, and Isaac steps outside to discover Iris singing “Islands in the Stream” – reminiscent of their initial scene together. The interaction between them is promising, and they dance, but unexpectedly, Iris tells him, “I despise you,” causing Isaac to awaken.

According to Brooks, they appeared to be developing feelings for one another, but unfortunately, mere liking between individuals does not guarantee that they will understand their relationship or manage to make it succeed.

In the dreamlike dance scene, it’s as if fate is hinting at a romantic possibility between them, had life unfolded differently. Despite the misunderstandings and misalignments throughout the movie, this sequence seemed to bridge our gap, offering a glimpse into Isaac’s feelings for her. It was almost like a window into his soul, revealing that he might have affection, maybe even love, for her, but something holds him back.

After Isaac wakes up, he sets his escape into motion. Though he’s bound to the bed, he plays it casual, feigning ignorance about the past happenings. Iris falls for this act, and removes the handcuffs. Her trust in Isaac might be rooted in her unshakable faith in love, possibly allowing them a chance at a fresh start. Downstairs, Isaac proposes they make pancakes, but the flour is missing from the house. A hint of worry flickers across Iris’s face, but it vanishes quickly, and she hands him the car keys. She rejoices with Kenny and Max, but their happiness doesn’t last long—Isaac speeds away in the vehicle. It transpires that Isaac overheard their plan to wipe his memory through an open window. Afraid he might go to the police, Kenny and Max want to chase him, yet Iris is resigned and willing to accept the consequences, returning to bed.

Brooks expresses, “I hoped Iris would start with a glimmer of optimism. She’ll naturally question if the spell took effect, but she’s inherently hopeful and fond of this man, so she trusts it. She yearns to believe that there might be a way for them yet. That desire is tinged with sadness, but such is life – often wanting something for us that isn’t entirely right or even beneficial.

In the morning, Iris is awakened by a phone call from the police, informing her that the car Isaac had stolen to flee was found in an accident with no one present. Alarmed, Iris ventures into the woods in search of Isaac and eventually locates him, injured and leaning against a fallen tree. Contrary to expectation, they don’t engage in a confrontation; instead, they have a heartfelt conversation where they express remorse for their past actions. “I wish you had been truthful,” Iris confesses to him, followed by a genuine apology for her own transgressions.

Brooks states, “I believe once Isaac departs and she manages to relax and rest, she’ll have a moment to reflect. She might think, ‘Wow, I’m not sure how I ended up here’, and she does express regret for her behavior, which I found significant.” He continues, “I didn’t want the film to conclude with her believing she acted rightly. She recognizes she went too far and feels ashamed. However, I hope what’s valuable for the audience is that Isaac realizes he mishandled the situation. If he had been truthful, they wouldn’t be in this predicament. When Iris wishes he were honest, there’s a genuine ring of truth to it. It signifies that yes, she did something utterly reckless, and also he led her astray.

In the closing moments of the movie, Isaac is taken away in an ambulance, marking the definitive end of his relationship with Iris. As she departs, she offers him a heartfelt farewell that echoes her fondness for Casablanca: “We’ll always have O high,” she tells him. This phrase mirrors a humorous exchange they had in their first encounter, when Iris joked about a mislabeled sign reading “O High Falls” instead of “High Falls.” However, Isaac fails to grasp the reference, underscoring that their connection was never fully aligned. According to Brooks, this scene symbolizes, “Ah, poor fellow. I was pursuing this man, and he is not prepared for a relationship at all.

The last scene focuses on Iris’s face as she experiences a mix of feelings, eventually breaking into a smile. It’s a blend of relief, sorrow, and optimism. According to Brooks, “She appears relieved that she’s escaped this weekend, and it seems he won’t be reporting anything to the police. She’s sad because their connection has ended and it won’t return. Yet, there’s also a hint of a smile on her lips and brightness in her eyes, suggesting she believes she will be alright.

Speaking as a movie buff, I can say that there’s an answer regarding Isaac’s decision not to involve the police – Brooks is clear on this point: “He’s relieved this chapter has come to an end and he’s not keen on engaging in a legal battle. Reflecting on his actions, he acknowledges his role in the misunderstanding. To put it simply, he admits his part in landing himself in that predicament. It seems as though the charm of forgiveness has had some effect, and the magic lies in the fact that he won’t be taking this matter to the authorities.

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2025-07-26 01:06

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