Critics Pummel Taika Waititi’s ‘Klara and the Sun’ as a Sentimental Failure

Key points

• The film premiered at the London Film Festival on October 15, 2026, and is scheduled for theatrical release in the US and UK on October 23, 2026.
• Critics from The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times awarded the film one star, describing it as 'unbearably mannered' and 'mind-meltingly dreadful.'
• The adaptation, which took from 2024 to 2026 to reach theaters, is criticized for undermining Ishiguro’s thoughtful themes with Waititi’s comedic style.
• The cast includes Jenna Ortega as the solar-powered robot Klara, Amy Adams as the mother, and Mia Tharia as the ill teen Josie.
• The negative reception follows a period of mixed reviews for Waititi’s recent projects, including Thor: Love and Thunder and Next Goal Wins.

Background

This release follows earlier coverage noting that Waititi’s adaptation failed to translate Ishiguro’s dystopian vision, resulting in a 'sentimental mess.' The film’s long production timeline, wrapping in April 2024, contrasts with the swift critical backlash upon its festival premiere.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw criticized the film as a 'sentimental mess' that says nothing meaningful about AI or grief, comparing it unfavorably to Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. The Telegraph’s Tim Robey called it 'mind-meltingly dreadful' and the most infantile film of the year, while The Times faulted its overly sentimental treatment. Stuff reported that The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times all gave one star, and noted a Metacritic score of 23. Other outlets like Little White Lies and ScreenRant gave slightly higher but still low scores, while Deadline’s Damon Wise described the film as 'curiously flat.'

Why it matters

The harsh reception signals a potential decline in Waititi’s standing in Hollywood, as his signature blend of humor and sentimentality is seen as ineffective for this adaptation. It also highlights the challenges of adapting literary works with complex themes into comedic formats.

What to watch

Audiences will have the final say when the film releases theatrically on October 23, 2026, in the US and UK, and October 22, 2026, in New Zealand and Australia. Box office performance will determine whether the critical consensus impacts commercial success.