Taika Waititi's 'Klara and the Sun' Premieres in London Amid Critical Pummeling

Key points

• The film premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026, at BFI Southbank.
• The cast includes Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Florence Pugh, Aran Murphy, and Natasha Lyonne.
• The film is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026, via Sony Pictures Releasing.
• Critics have panned the film, describing it as a 'sentimental mess' and a 'curiously flat dystopian comedy-drama.'
• The film has a Metacritic score of 23, indicating overwhelmingly negative reviews.

Background

Taika Waititi's 'Klara and the Sun' is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel. The film had its world premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15, 2026. The event featured a star-studded red carpet, but the film faces a challenging theatrical release on October 23 amid overwhelmingly negative critical reviews. The cast, including Jenna Ortega and Taika Waititi, urged audiences to disconnect from technology and emphasized the film's message of presence and human connection.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline focused on the red carpet event, highlighting the presence of Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Florence Pugh, Aran Murphy, and others. The Guardian provided a critical review, describing the film as a 'sentimental mess' and a 'curiously flat dystopian comedy-drama,' criticizing its tonal mismatch and failure to capture the subtlety of the source material. W Magazine focused on Jenna Ortega's red carpet style, noting her shift from her usual gothic aesthetic to a more light-hearted, sunny disposition, reflecting the film's optimistic tone. The perspectives differ in their focus: Deadline on the event, The Guardian on the critical reception, and W Magazine on the fashion and style.

Why it matters

The film's critical reception raises concerns about Taika Waititi's recent trajectory in Hollywood. With a Metacritic score of 23 and multiple one-star ratings, the film's performance at the box office is uncertain. The film's themes of artificial intelligence and human connection are relevant in today's technological landscape, but the critical panning suggests that the adaptation may not resonate with audiences.

What to watch

The film is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026, via Sony Pictures Releasing. The box office performance will be a key indicator of the film's success, given the overwhelmingly negative critical reviews. The cast and director may face scrutiny over the film's reception, and the film's performance could impact Waititi's future projects.