‘Klara and the Sun’ Review: Taika Waititi’s Touch on a Heartfelt Adaptation

Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel ‘Klara and the Sun’ has always posed a challenge for adaptation, presenting a quiet, poignant narrative seen through the eyes of a machine that believes in the healing power of the sun. After years of pursuit by Sony, the film finally arrives in theaters following its production completion in April 2024. I entered the screening curious yet apprehensive about how Taika Waititi’s distinctive style would mesh with such delicate material.

The story centers on Klara, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, a solar-powered Artificial Friend who finds herself in a discount store until a teenager named Josie, played by Mia Tharia, convinces her mother Chrissie, played by Amy Adams, to take her home. The family is grappling with a significant loss, and Klara’s role is to be the companion that might help heal their wounds. The cast also features Steve Buscemi and Natasha Lyonne.

Waititi has described this as his most dramatic project to date, which makes the frequent humor feel somewhat jarring. This is where the film falters for me. The narrative aims to evoke gentle emotions, yet the humor and heartbreak clash throughout the runtime, preventing me from fully immersing in the sadness.

Each scene begins with a tender emotional moment, only to be undercut by a punchline, which diminishes the weight of the quieter scenes. The quirky elements seem superimposed on the story rather than emerging organically, resulting in a tone that struggles to find stability.

Ortega deserves recognition for her commitment. She embodies Klara as an eager, clumsy innocent, and her physical comedy is the film’s most consistently charming aspect. The relationship between Klara and Josie possesses genuine sweetness at times, capturing the essence of what the novel aimed to convey.

However, the surrounding family drama feels less developed than it should be. Simon Baker was cast as Josie’s father, but his scenes were ultimately cut, leaving the story feeling somewhat stripped down. At nearly two hours, the film also struggles to determine how seriously to treat its own world, which undermines the urgency of the threat facing Josie.

Klara’s belief in the sun is the one aspect that feels authentically hers, and it’s in these moments that the film occasionally captures the emotional depth Ishiguro crafted in the book. Unfortunately, these instances are few and far between, often interrupted by another joke before they can resonate.

Official trailer for Taika Waititi’s KLARA AND THE SUN. Starring Jenna Ortega, Mia Tharia and Amy Adams. https://t.co/rIm3IZxLI8

— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) June 22, 2026

I wanted to embrace this film fully, as I can envision the tender fable it aimed to be—a story about loneliness and our responsibilities to those who love us. However, the conflicting tones and the lack of emotional payoff left me feeling largely untouched. Only Ortega’s heartfelt performance and a handful of sweet moments kept me engaged. I rate it 4 out of 10.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!