Klara and the Sun (2026) — Jenna Ortega Sci-Fi Drama: Release Date, Cast & Trailer

Status: Now in Theaters — Klara and the Sun opened in theaters on October 23, 2026. It is a theaters-only release, with no streaming date announced.

She was built to keep someone company — and she ends up trying to save a whole family. Klara and the Sun follows Klara, an “Artificial Friend”: a solar-powered companion android who starts out on a shop shelf, watching people and learning about the world from behind glass. When a mother chooses her for her sick daughter Josie, Klara leaves the store for a real home — and discovers that love, grief and hope are far more complicated than anything she observed from the window.

Directed by Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) from Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed 2021 novel, it is his quietest, most dramatic film yet: a warm, wistful sci-fi story about what makes us human, told through the eyes of someone who is not. Jenna Ortega plays Klara, with Amy Adams as Josie’s mother, Mia Tharia as Josie, plus Natasha Lyonne, Steve Buscemi and Aran Murphy. In theaters October 23, 2026 — theaters only, no streaming date announced.

Early critical reception: Early reviews from the BFI London Film Festival premiere are sharply negative. At the time of writing, Rotten Tomatoes lists 27% (11 critics), Metacritic lists 27/100, and The Guardian gave the film 1/5, calling it a “sentimental mess”. This is early critical reception, not this site’s own verdict — audiences will be able to judge for themselves when the film opens in theaters.

Details

Director: Taika Waititi (first feature since Next Goal Wins, 2023; calls this his most dramatic film).

Screenplay: Taika Waititi + Dahvi Waller (Mrs. America), based on the 2021 novel Klara and the Sun by Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro.

Cast: Jenna Ortega (Klara), Amy Adams (Chris, Josie’s mother — also listed as “Chrissie” in some listings), Mia Tharia (Josie), Aran Murphy (Rick, Josie’s best friend), Natasha Lyonne (store manager), Steve Buscemi, Rachel House (Melania, housekeeper), Harry Greenwood, Sophia Bryant-Taukiri (Sal, Josie’s older sister), Sebastian Tang (Xavier).

Producers: David Heyman, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi; Executive Producers Gary Barber, Alex G. Scott, Jeffrey Clifford, Rosie Alison, Kazuo Ishiguro.

Production: Columbia Pictures / 3000 Pictures, Spyglass Media Group, Heyday Films, Defender Films, Piki Films; cinematography Mike Berlucchi, editing Adam Gough + Tom Eagles, music Michael Giacchino (his 4th collaboration with Waititi), production design Ra Vincent, costume design Mayes C. Rubeo.

Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing (US theatrical).

Filming: Wanaka (Silverlight Studios) + Auckland, New Zealand, Jan–Apr 2024, under working title “Tears and Rain”; film then sat on Sony’s shelf for 2+ years before its Oct 2026 release.

Release: BFI London Film Festival premiere Oct 15, 2026 → US theatrical Oct 23, 2026 (Australia/NZ Oct 22); theaters only.

Runtime: 116 minutes. Rating: PG-13 (thematic elements, some violence and strong language). Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama.

Klara and the Sun (2026) on IMDb

Trailer

Cast

• Jenna Ortega as Klara
• Amy Adams as Chris / Chrissie, Josie’s mother
• Mia Tharia as Josie
• Aran Murphy as Rick, Josie’s best friend
• Natasha Lyonne as the store manager
• Steve Buscemi
• Rachel House as Melania, housekeeper
• Harry Greenwood
• Sophia Bryant-Taukiri as Sal, Josie’s older sister
• Sebastian Tang as Xavier