Jenna Ortega Shines in New Photos as ‘Klara and the Sun’ Faces Criticism

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
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Jenna Ortega has been making waves at various film festivals this past week, with her press tour showcasing her stunning fashion choices alongside the film. From London to Rome, each photocall has turned into a fashionable event, much to the delight of her fans.

The film at the heart of this buzz is ‘Klara and the Sun’, an adaptation by Taika Waititi of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel. Ortega takes on the role of Klara, an Artificial Friend, sharing the screen with Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi. Sony Pictures Releasing is set to debut the film in the US and UK on October 23.

Ortega kicked off her tour on October 14 at the Corinthia Hotel in London, donning a color-blocked Calvin Klein outfit complemented by a chic scarf detail, with her dog by her side. The following evening, during the film’s world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, she made a statement with an eye-catching headpiece.

On October 17, she graced the film’s photocall in Rome wearing a vintage 1966 Pierre Cardin mod dress, a perfect fit for a narrative centered around a futuristic android.

Recently, a new set of images featuring the ‘Wednesday’ star has surfaced online, showcasing her in breathtaking poses. One image captures her in a sultry close-up with radiant skin and striking winged eyeliner, while another features her glancing over her shoulder in a shimmering champagne-toned halter dress, her dark hair elegantly styled.

This is quintessential Ortega glamour—moody yet theatrical. However, these stunning visuals come at a challenging time for the film, which is struggling to win over critics.

Currently, ‘Klara and the Sun’ holds a 25% Tomatometer score based on 12 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. On Metacritic, it has a score of 27 from 8 reviews, categorized as “Generally Unfavorable.” Initially, the film received a 20% rating from the first 10 reviews, marking it as Waititi’s lowest-rated film and Ortega’s second-lowest.

The primary critique revolves around the film’s tone. Waititi’s signature quirky humor seems to clash with the introspective, philosophical essence of Ishiguro’s novel. Screen Rant’s Ben Gibbons described it as a “ham-fisted sci-fi comedy with a hollow message” in his review.

Despite the harsh critiques, many reviewers have praised Ortega’s performance. Variety noted that while she strives to elevate the material, the whimsical direction ultimately undermines it. Other critics have highlighted her performance as both standout and endearing.

Screenshot 2026 10 16 at 21 37 22 Klara and the Sun Rotten Tomatoes

The film’s box office performance remains to be seen, as it is set to release on October 23. Some projections estimate an opening weekend gross of $6 million to $10 million, which would be modest for a studio sci-fi film.

Ortega’s recent track record offers a glimmer of hope. Her previous films received mixed reviews from critics but were better received by audiences, with ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ earning a 60% audience score and ‘Death of a Unicorn’ at 76%. It’s possible that viewers may respond more favorably to ‘Klara’ than critics have.

Ortega remains optimistic about the film’s message. At the London premiere, she shared with Variety her hope that it encourages viewers to “put down the computers and phones.” This theme of disconnecting from technology aligns perfectly with a film centered on artificial companionship.

Regardless of the film’s box office outcome, Ortega’s schedule is packed. She is set to reprise her role as Wednesday Addams in ‘Wednesday’ Season 3 and star in ‘The Great Beyond’ alongside Glen Powell, directed by J.J. Abrams. A less-than-stellar opening for ‘Klara and the Sun’ is unlikely to hinder her career trajectory.

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