Sony Pictures Unveils Official Whimsical Trailer for Taika Waititi's 'Klara and the Sun'

Jenna Ortega stars as a devoted “Artificial Friend” opposite Amy Adams and Mia Tharia in the highly anticipated Kazuo Ishiguro adaptation.

Summary

Sony Pictures has officially debuted the first trailer for Klara and the Sun, directed by Academy Award winner Taika Waititi

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's bestselling sci-fi novel, the film stars Jenna Ortega as a solar-powered companion android

The production features a stacked supporting cast, including Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi, ahead of its October theatrical release

Sony Pictures has officially released the official trailer for Klara and the Sun, the highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling sci-fi novel. Written and directed by Academy Award winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit), the cinematic translation features a sharp departure from typical, horror-driven killer robot tropes, opting instead to deliver a heartwarming, whimsical study of friendship, grief, and human connection.

The film centers around Klara, portrayed by Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), an advanced, solar-powered “Artificial Friend” engineered specifically to combat loneliness in children and teenagers. Curiously optimistic and eager to find her ultimate purpose, Klara’s world changes when she is purchased by a protective mother, played by six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams, to serve as a companion for her daughter, Josie, played by breakout actress Mia Tharia. As Klara integrates into their home life, she forms an unbreakable, kindred-spirit bond with Josie, attempting to use her innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty to heal the fractured family while confronting the tragic reality of Josie’s worsening, mysterious illness.

The adaptation carries significant pedigree behind and in front of the lens. The screenplay was co-written by Taika Waititi alongside Dahvi Waller (Mrs. America), with author Kazuo Ishiguro actively serving as an executive producer to help safeguard his source material’s thematic depth. The film’s musical score is composed by Michael Giacchino, marking his fourth cinematic collaboration with Waititi. In a major departure from Ortega’s traditional goth-inspired aesthetic, her performance as a bright, solar-recharging android highlights her versatile range amid a busy slate of Hollywood leading roles.

The ensemble cast further amplifies the movie’s star power, incorporating high-caliber names like Natasha Lyonne (playing a store manager), Steve Buscemi, and Aran Murphy—the son of Oppenheimer lead Cillian Murphy—who plays Josie’s best friend and love interest, Rick. Production for the film primarily unfolded across early 2024 under the working title Tears and Rain, utilizing scenic landscapes at Silverlight Studios in Wānaka and various locations in Auckland, New Zealand.

Klara and the Sun is officially scheduled to make its exclusive theatrical debut in the United States on October 23, 2026, via Sony Pictures’ Columbia Pictures and 3000 Pictures labels.