Taika Waititi’s 'Klara and the Sun' Debuts to Panning Reviews

Key points

• The film opens in US theaters on October 23, 2026, distributed by Sony.
• Critics from The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, and The Daily Beast have panned the film, citing excessive sentimentality and poor adaptation of the novel.
• The film holds a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 23 Metacritic score, raising concerns about its commercial viability.
• Jenna Ortega stars as Klara, a solar-powered AI companion, alongside Amy Adams, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi.
• The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026, amidst negative critical reception.

Background

Taika Waititi’s 'Klara and the Sun' premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026. Prior to its wide release, the film faced severe critical backlash, with outlets like The Independent and Variety describing it as a 'schmaltzy misfire' and a 'calamitous' tonal mismatch. The film’s low aggregate scores (25% Rotten Tomatoes, 23 Metacritic) have raised concerns about its commercial performance ahead of its October 23, 2026, theatrical release.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney calls the film a 'clanging dud' and the 'worst screen adaptation' of an Ishiguro novel, criticizing Waititi’s forced humor and lack of genuine emotion. IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio grades the film a 'D,' calling it 'confoundingly awful' and 'relentlessly twee,' noting that Waititi’s whimsy undermines the novel’s profound themes. The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager describes the film as 'insufferably cloying' and a 'great big ball of flaming sentimentality,' highlighting Waititi’s 'catastrophic' schmaltzier instincts. Book Riot offers a more neutral perspective, recommending the film to fans of the novel and suggesting related books, but does not provide a critical review of the film itself.

Why it matters

The film’s critical failure raises questions about Taika Waititi’s ability to adapt literary works and the commercial viability of high-profile adaptations that fail to resonate with critics. It also highlights the challenges of adapting Kazuo Ishiguro’s nuanced prose to a comedic tone.

What to watch

The film will be available in theaters starting October 23, 2026. Its box office performance will be a key indicator of its commercial success despite the negative reviews.