What characteristic of the true negative is often considered absent in digital film look simulations?

The depth possessed by the physical artifact of the exposed and developed negative

Enthusiasts often argue that while digital processing can emulate certain visual traits of film—such as color shifts or grain appearance—it struggles to capture the inherent depth found in the genuine physical artifact: the exposed and developed negative itself. The look of a true Kodak print, derived directly from this negative, is often characterized by subtle halftones and an unmistakable organic warmth that simulations only approximate. This depth is tied to the physical interaction of light with the chemical layers, resulting in an image quality that digital approximations, despite complex emulation techniques, often fail to fully replicate.