Taika Waititi's upcoming movie '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 adapts Kazuo Ishiguro's poignant novel about 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 book.

      In an interview with Vanity Fair, Waititi revealed that this was one of his most challenging adaptations, particularly as he explored its themes of isolation, love, and the essence of being human.

      First look at Taika Waititi’s upcoming film ‘KLARA AND THE SUN’:

      • Featuring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams

      • Centers on a robot purchased by a family to aid in the physical and mental recovery of their daughter in a dystopian setting

      • Set to release in theaters on October 23 pic.twitter.com/rtYy3DderA— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 18, 2026

      A retro-futuristic world devoid of the internet

      Klara and the Sun unfolds in a future that appears intentionally minimalistic. Waititi crafted a universe with a 1960s-inspired aesthetic, where the internet has vanished from everyday life.

      In this environment, certain children are genetically engineered for academic benefits. Amy Adams portrays a mother who acquires an Artificial Friend named Klara to keep her ailing daughter Josie company.

      Jenna Ortega takes on the role of Klara, while Mia Tharia plays Josie, alongside Natasha Lyonne and Steve Buscemi in supporting roles. Waititi intends to subtly imply that humanity has damaged something fundamental and lost access to that technology entirely.

      Jenna Ortega embraces a sunnier role

      Waititi sought a youthful and trendy performer for the part, which he found in Ortega. This represents a refreshing shift for her, as she has primarily portrayed darker characters, such as Wednesday Addams.

      This time, she plays a hopeful, childlike android exploring humanity with innocent curiosity. Ortega mentioned that she observed her young nieces and nephews to embody that open and forgiving perspective on the world.

      In addition, Waititi delves into deeper inquiries through Klara, such as whether love can be programmed and if a robot could one day fill the void left by a lost loved one. This aligns with Ishiguro’s novel, which deeply explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the understanding of human suffering by an artificial being.

      Klara and the Sun will be released in theaters on October 23, 2026, and fans of Ishiguro’s work will be eager to see how the film captures its emotional depth onscreen.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of editorial experience.

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