Taika Waititi's latest film, 'Klara and the Sun,' envisions a dystopian science fiction future devoid of the internet, featuring Jenna Ortega in the role of an android.
Taika Waititi transforms Kazuo Ishiguro's poignant novel on love and artificial intelligence
Taika Waititi’s upcoming film might be his most surprising project to date. The director known for Thor: Ragnarok has shared the first glimpse of Klara and the Sun, his adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed 2021 novel.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Waititi mentioned that this was one of the most challenging adaptations he has tackled, especially as he delved into its themes of isolation, affection, and the essence of humanity.
First glimpse of Taika Waititi’s upcoming film ‘KLARA AND THE SUN’ • Featuring Jenna Ortega & Amy Adams • Centers on a robot acquired by a family to aid in their physical and mental recovery in a dystopian setting • Set for release on October 23 pic.twitter.com/rtYy3DderA— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 18, 2026
A retro-futuristic world where the internet has completely disappeared
The narrative of Klara and the Sun unfolds in a future that is purposefully minimalistic. Waititi has crafted a world reminiscent of the 1960s, in which the internet is no longer accessible for everyday use.
In this scenario, some children are genetically modified for academic advantage. Amy Adams portrays a mother who purchases an Artificial Friend named Klara to provide companionship for her sick daughter, Josie.
Jenna Ortega takes on the role of Klara, with Mia Tharia as Josie, while Natasha Lyonne and Steve Buscemi complete the cast. Waititi expresses a desire to subtly indicate that humanity has done something to disrupt and lose such technology entirely.
Jenna Ortega trades her usual serious demeanor for a burst of brightness
Waititi aimed to find someone youthful and appealing for the role and believes he found that in Ortega. This represents a refreshing shift for her, as she has predominantly portrayed darker, more somber characters like Wednesday Addams throughout her career.
Jonathan Hession / Netflix
This time, she portrays a hopeful, childlike android who discovers humanity with innocent wonder. Ortega shares that she observed her young nieces and nephews to embody the same open and forgiving perspective of the world.
Through Klara, Waititi also confronts profound questions, such as whether love can be engineered and if a robot could eventually take the place of a loved one who has passed away. This aligns with Ishiguro’s book, which deeply explores themes of love, sacrifice, and what an artificial entity can comprehend about human suffering.
Klara and the Sun will be released in theaters on October 23, 2026, and admirers of Ishiguro’s work will closely follow how the film portrays its emotional depth onscreen.
Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of editorial experience.
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Taika Waititi's latest film, 'Klara and the Sun,' envisions a dystopian science fiction future devoid of the internet, featuring Jenna Ortega in the role of an android.
Jenna Ortega portrays an Artificial Friend named Klara in Taika Waititi's poignant new sci-fi adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's book.