Klara and the Sun is a 2026 dystopian science fiction film directed by Taika Waititi and written by Waititi and Dahvi Waller, based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel. It stars Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne.
The film had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026, and is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States and the UK on October 23, 2026, by Sony Pictures Releasing. It received generally negative reviews from critics.
Contents
Plot
In a dystopian future where technological advances in genetic engineering have divided humans into strict, isolated social classes, an obsolete companion android named Klara tries to bond with Josie, a sick girl for whom she was purchased.
Cast
Jenna Ortega as Klara
Amy Adams as Chrissie, Josie's mother
Mia Tharia as Josie
Aran Murphy as Rick, Josie's best-friend and love-interest
Natasha Lyonne as Store Manager
Steve Buscemi as Capaldi, a benefactor
Rachel House as Melania, Chrissie's housekeeper
Harry Greenwood
Sophia Bryant-Taukiri as Sal, Josie's older sister
Simon Baker was cast as Josie's father Paul, but his scenes were cut from the film.
Production
Development
In July 2021, Sony's 3000 Pictures acquired the screen rights to Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Klara and the Sun, with David Heyman attached to produce for his company Heyday Films. On March 12, 2021, Dahvi Waller was set to write the script, with Ishiguro set to serve as an executive producer. In May 2023, Taika Waititi entered negotiations to direct and produce the film.
Casting
In January 2024, when Waititi was confirmed to direct the film, Jenna Ortega was reported to be in talks to star in the lead role. The next month, Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Natasha Lyonne and Simon Baker joined the cast, while Ortega was confirmed to star as Klara. In August 2024, it was revealed that Steve Buscemi was a part of the cast.
Filming
Principal photography began in January 2024 under the working title Tears and Rain, with scenes being shot at Silverlight Studios in Wānaka. Production occurred in Auckland in early April. Adam Gough and Tom Eagles edited the film.
Music
In June 2026, it was announced that Michael Giacchino would provide the film's score, marking his fourth collaboration with director Waititi after Jojo Rabbit (2019), Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Next Goal Wins (2023).
Release
Klara and the Sun premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026, before being released in the United States and the UK by Sony Pictures Releasing, through its Columbia Pictures label on October 23, 2026. It was also presented in the Grand public section of the 21st Rome Film Festival in October 2026.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 27% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.6/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 27 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.
Reaction to the film among critics following its premiere showing was largely negative. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 1 star out of 5, describing it as a "sentimental mess". David Jenkins of Little White Lies described the film as having a "juvenile habit of undercutting any hint at profundity with a jolt of silly humour or a comic rug pull".
