The first images from Klara and the Sun have finally arrived, giving audiences a glimpse at what could be one of the most emotional and unexpected science fiction films of 2026.
Directed by Taika Waititi, the adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel stars Jenna Ortega as Klara, an Artificial Friend designed to ease loneliness in a futuristic society. The newly released images showcase Ortega in a role unlike anything fans have seen from her before, trading the dark and sarcastic energy of Wednesday for a character filled with warmth, curiosity, and innocence.
In an interview accompanying the first look, Waititi described Klara and the Sun as perhaps his “most dramatic film” to date. The filmmaker, known for balancing humor and heart in projects like Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, admitted he initially thought adapting the novel would be simple.
“I thought this would be maybe the easiest film I’d ever make,” Waititi explained. “The more you read the book and delve into the relationships, the more complicated it gets.”
The story follows Klara, a solar-powered Artificial Friend who is purchased by a mother, played by Amy Adams, to become a companion for her daughter Josie, portrayed by Mia Tharia. As Klara becomes part of the family, she develops a deep understanding of love, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human.
The film’s world is also unique. Waititi revealed that he imagined a future where humanity had grown tired of technology and intentionally moved backward in certain ways. The production design combines retro aesthetics with futuristic concepts, creating a world that feels familiar yet strangely unsettling.
Klara and the Sun [credit: Sony Pictures, Vanity Fair]
For Ortega, the role offered a chance to explore a very different kind of character. The actress said Klara’s kindness and optimistic outlook stand in stark contrast to many of the darker roles she has played in recent years. Rather than portraying an emotionless machine, Ortega and Waititi worked together to make Klara feel deeply relatable and emotionally authentic.
The themes explored in Klara and the Sun feel particularly timely. The story asks difficult questions about artificial intelligence, grief, loneliness, and whether love itself can be programmed. Waititi said he was fascinated by the idea that humans may someday form genuine emotional bonds with artificial beings, adding that the film does not offer easy answers.
With its emotional storytelling, stunning visuals, and a career-defining performance from Jenna Ortega, Klara and the Sunis shaping up to be one of the most intriguing science fiction films of the year.
Klara and the Sun is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 23, 2026.
