Klara and the Sun film adaptation directed by Taika Waititi released

The dystopian science fiction film “Klara and the Sun,” directed by Taika Waititi, has arrived in theaters. Based on the 2021 novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, the story is set in a future where genetic engineering has created social divides through a process known as “lifting.”

Jenna Ortega stars as Klara, a solar-powered Artificial Friend (AF) designed to provide companionship to lonely children. Klara forms a deep bond with Josie (Mia Tharia), a teenager who is chronically ill following her genetic enhancement. The narrative explores themes of artificial intelligence, grief, faith, and the essence of humanity through Klara’s perspective.

Critical reception has been mixed. Some reviewers praised Ortega’s expressive performance and the film’s visual design, while others criticized the adaptation for being clunky or failing to balance Waititi’s signature humor with the story’s serious emotional undertones. The film features an ensemble cast including Amy Adams, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne.