Louise Banks

Dr. Louise Banks is a fictional character appearing in the 2016 film Arrival, from which she serves as the protagonist. She is portrayed by Amy Adams.
==Overview==
She is a linguist professor who lives a solitary life. Despite working in a university, her personal life is quite isolated.
The American military approaches Louise for help when 12 alien pods land on Earth, leading to a worldwide panic. The military believes Louise can communicate with the heptapods, extraterrestrial beings aboard the alien ship, and understand their intentions towards humanity. She teams up with physicist Ian Donnelly to decipher what the heptapods want.
Louise's interest for language and culture proves invaluable in communicating with the heptapods. Her approach is holistic, as she not only provides translations but also considers the context of certain words. Louise realizes that language is complex and nuanced, and a single mistranslation could have dire consequences.
==Challenge==
Louise's biggest challenge in the movie is to communicate effectively with the heptapods, and the American military wants her to ask the aliens about their purpose of coming to Earth. However, this task is not as simple as it seems. Louise has to learn the heptapods' vocabulary and grammar before she can ask them a question. She is concerned that her message may be lost in translation, and she emphasizes the importance of making sure that the heptapods understand the difference between a weapon and a tool. Language is complicated, and it is possible for something to be both.
The pressure is immense, as trigger-happy nations worldwide, including her own, are ready to attack if the aliens pose a threat. Louise understands the gravity of the situation and is aware that a wrong move could lead to catastrophic consequences. She must use her expertise in linguistics and her intuition to establish communication with the heptapods and decipher their intentions, all while ensuring that the message she conveys is accurate and clear.
==Personality==
Louise maintains a calm and objective approach when it comes to studying the heptapods, even when others are prone to making hasty conclusions. She relies on logic rather than fear and takes the time to conduct thorough examinations before making decisions. While the challenge before her is daunting, she does not allow herself to become overwhelmed and quickly gathers her composure to continue working. Overall, she displays qualities of determination, intelligence, and patience.
==Appearances==
*Arrival (2016)
Category:Characters
Category:Female characters
Category:Arrival characters
Category:Characters portrayed by Amy Adams