The first reactions to Klara and the Sun, the new film by Taika Waititi starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, have placed the New Zealand filmmaker's professional standing at the center of the debate. The film, which adapts the novel of the same name by Nobel Prize in Literature winner Kazuo Ishiguro, premieres on October 30 and arrives preceded by a figure that has set off alarm bells: barely 27% positive reviews in the initial assessments.
This figure is particularly significant because it is not an isolated stumble. Waititi has had a string of recent projects, both in film and television, that have failed to replicate the success that made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors. Klara and the Sun arrives at a time when his name is once again under scrutiny.
Klara and the Sun receives scathing reviews against Taika Waititi
The first assessments of the film paint a complicated picture. Although some critics highlight the performances and the visual aspect, a good portion of the opinions agree on pointing out the same problem: Waititi has allegedly sacrificed the depth of Ishiguro's original novel in favor of his characteristic sense of humor.
That decision is particularly controversial because the story reflects on artificial intelligence, the human condition, love, and mortality. Several critics believe the result is an entertaining but empty version of what it could have been, with evident difficulties in building the world in which the plot takes place.
The harshest assessments go further and accuse the director of interrupting moments of greater depth with jokes that do not fit the tone of the original work. Another common reproach is that Ishiguro's reflections on the relationship between technology and humanity are relegated in favor of comedy.
Jenna Ortega manages to save part of the disaster
Not all opinions are negative. In fact, there is one element that is repeated even among those who consider that the film does not work as a whole: the performance of Jenna Ortega.
The actress plays Klara, an Artificial Friend whose innocence and curiosity serve as a starting point to explore what it means to be human. Several critics highlight that her work provides the emotional heart the story needs, in addition to praising the images and the futuristic fairy-tale atmosphere that envelops the film.
Some of the more favorable assessments describe the film as a small, hopeful fable about humanity, largely sustained by Ortega. The problem is that a good lead performance is not always enough to compensate for the shortcomings of the whole, and in this case, the actress seems to have carried more narrative weight than usual.
Taika Waititi’s worrying slump continues
The most striking thing about this release is that it is not an isolated case. Waititi earned international recognition thanks to films like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and later directed Thor: Ragnarok, one of the most celebrated installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
That success made him one of the most requested directors in Hollywood. Lucasfilm even brought him into The Mandalorian and linked him to a Star Wars film project that ultimately did not materialize.
From Thor: Love and Thunder to Klara and the Sun: a succession of disappointments
The first major warning came with Thor: Love and Thunder, a film in which humor again took center stage and which received criticism for undermining its dramatic moments, a reproach that now reappears with Klara and the Sun.
Then came Next Goal Wins, a sports comedy that earned a 46% positive rating and grossed just $18 million at the box office.
In television, the outlook has not been favorable either. Our Flag Means Death, a pirate series that Waititi produced and starred in, was canceled after two seasons. Time Bandits, his television adaptation of the Terry Gilliam film, fared even worse and was canceled after just one season.
It should be noted that a television cancellation does not necessarily imply poor quality, just as a modest box office does not define the value of a film on its own. But the sum of these projects reflects a much more demanding professional stage for the director than the one in which he seemed to have all the doors open.
With an estimated budget of $70 million, we will have to wait for its release to see if Klara and the Sun manages to be profitable or if it ends up joining the big flops of 2026.
What is Klara and the Sun about?
The film adapts the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro and presents a science fiction story centered on Klara, an Artificial Friend played by Jenna Ortega who is looking for a home and someone to accompany. Her opportunity comes when she meets Josie, a young girl played by Mia Tharia, with whom she establishes a special connection from the very first moment.
Josie maintains a complex relationship with her mother, played by Amy Adams, and both are dealing with the consequences of a painful family loss. The arrival of Klara introduces a new perspective on their bonds, marked by her curiosity, her innocence, and her unconditional loyalty.
The premise invites reflection on artificial intelligence, emotions, identity, and our ability to create bonds with non-human beings. That is why the criticisms accusing the adaptation of simplifying Ishiguro's original ideas and turning them into a more conventional story about love and friendship are particularly striking.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of positive reviews does Klara and the Sun have?
The first assessments place the film at 27% positive reviews.
Who directs Klara and the Sun?
The film is directed by Taika Waititi, a New Zealand filmmaker known for Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do in the Shadows.
Which novel is the film based on?
It is based on the novel of the same name by writer Kazuo Ishiguro, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Who plays Klara?
Actress Jenna Ortega plays Klara, an Artificial Friend who is the protagonist of the story.
What other actors appear in Klara and the Sun?
The cast includes Amy Adams and Mia Tharia, among other performers.
When does Klara and the Sun premiere?
The film hits theaters on October 30.
What is the estimated budget of the film?
An estimated budget of $70 million is expected.
