Jenna Ortega takes on a transformative lead role as an artificial companion in the upcoming feature film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed 2021 novel, Klara and the Sun. Directed by Taika Waititi, the dystopian science-fiction drama is scheduled to make its highly anticipated world premiere as a headline gala at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15. It will then arrive in theaters in Australia and New Zealand on October 22, and across the United States on October 23.
Based on the first book written by Ishiguro following his receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017, the story is set in a near-future society where technology heavily dictates human connection. Children from privileged backgrounds undergo genetic enhancements to boost their intellectual capabilities, leaving them increasingly isolated. To combat this loneliness, families can purchase humanoid robots known as “Artificial Friends” designed to offer emotional support and steadfast companionship.
The Heart of the Story: Plot and Characters
Ortega stars as Klara, a solar-powered Artificial Friend with an extraordinary capacity to observe and understand human behavior. Spending her days in a store window, Klara carefully studies passers-by and their complex relationships while hoping someone will select her for a home. Her opportunity arrives when she is chosen by Josie, a 14-year-old girl living with a serious illness, portrayed by young actress Mia Tharia.
Upon moving into Josie’s home, Klara brings an unexpected light and comfort to the household, which also includes Josie’s protective and skeptical mother, played by Amy Adams. Despite being created purely as a companion, Klara develops an intense, selfless need to protect Josie, becoming convinced that the Sun possesses the power to restore the young girl’s health.
Behind the Scenes and Star-Studded Cast
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast alongside Ortega, Adams, and Tharia. The supporting line-up features Aran Murphy as Rick, alongside veteran actors Steve Buscemi, Natasha Lyonne, and Simon Baker. The project marks a creative reunion for Ortega and Buscemi, who previously collaborated on the second season of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday.
Taika Waititi directed the feature from a screenplay he co-wrote with Dahvi Waller. Produced by David Heyman and Garrett Basch, the film was shot primarily around Wānaka and Auckland in New Zealand between January and April 2024 under the working title Tears and Rain. It then spent over two years in post-production with Sony Pictures.
A Distinct Departure for Ortega
For Ortega, the role represents a notable shift away from the dark, gothic heroines and horror projects she is globally recognized for, most notably her iconic portrayal of Wednesday Addams. Describing Klara as gentle, deeply optimistic, and fascinated by the human world, Ortega prepared for the role by closely observing her own nieces and nephews. She aimed to capture the raw openness and innocence with which children approach unfamiliar situations.
Director Waititi similarly adjusted his signature style for the project. While initial drafts of the script leaned toward his characteristic eccentric humor, Waititi and his collaborators quickly realized that lightening the tone diminished the core emotional weight of Ishiguro’s text. Consequently, the movie stands as one of the filmmaker’s most dramatic and deeply felt cinematic endeavors to date.
Themes of Loneliness, Technology, and Humanity
At its core, Klara and the Sun uses its science-fiction framework to examine timeless human vulnerabilities. By observing humanity through the eyes of an artificial intelligence lacking human prejudices, the narrative challenges audiences to reconsider what it truly means to be needed, how we cope with the fear of loss, and whether true empathy can exist outside of organic biology.
- World Premiere: BFI London Film Festival on October 15
- Theatrical Release: October 23 in the United States
- Key Cast: Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi, Natasha Lyonne
- Director: Taika Waititi
- Source Material: 2021 novel by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro
As audiences increasingly interact with artificial intelligence in everyday life, Ishiguro’s prophetic narrative arrives with heightened relevance. Through a warm, retro-futuristic aesthetic and deeply emotional performances, Klara and the Sun aims to leave viewers reflecting on the beauty and fragility of human connection long after the credits roll.
