Trailer for Taika Waititi's KLARA AND THE SUN Introduces Jenna Ortega as a Robot Girl Trying to Heal a Broken Family

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Klara and the Sun, the upcoming sci-fi drama from Taika Waititi, and it looks like the filmmaker is stepping into some thoughtful and emotional territory with this adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed 2021 novel.

The film centers on Klara, played by Jenna Ortega, an Artificial Friend, or AF, created to provide companionship and help ease loneliness. But as the trailer reveals, Klara’s journey becomes much more complicated when she finds herself drawn into the struggles of a grieving family that’s trying to put itself back together.

The preview offers a glimpse at a future where artificial companions have become a normal part of society. Klara is optimistic, curious, and determined to understand the people around her. At one point, she says: "I know the answers are out there. Please show me the way to heal this family."

That mission appears to drive much of the story as Klara forms a connection with Josie, played by Mia Tharia. The two immediately recognize something familiar in one another, and their friendship becomes the emotional center of the film.

According to the official synopsis: “From the book by Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara and the Sun introduces audiences to Klara (Jenna Ortega), an Artificial Friend who wants nothing more than to find the perfect home.

“When Klara meets Josie (Tharia), each immediately senses a kindred spirit in the other. Josie also has a fraught relationship with her mother (Amy Adams) and they've suffered great loss, but Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty begin to heal the family and bring light to Josie’s complicated world.”

While the story involves another AI character helping humans navigate emotional struggles, Klara and the Sun seems more interested in exploring connection, grief, and what it means to care for someone. The trailer balances heartfelt moments with a touch of the offbeat charm that Waititi often brings to his projects.

The cast is loaded with talent, which also includes Simon Baker, Natasha Lyonne, Steve Buscemi, and Aran Murphy. From what the footage shows, Ortega looks like a perfect fit for Klara, bringing warmth and innocence to a character that could have easily felt detached or mechanical.

Waititi co-wrote the screenplay with Dahvi Waller, adapting Ishiguro's bestselling novel for the big screen. The filmmaker's directing credits include Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows, and most recently Next Goal Wins.

The movie has a tender vibe that, at least from this first trailer, feels closer in spirit to Her than many of the recent robot-focused sci-fi films we've seen. It's playful, emotional, and packed with questions about humanity that should make for an intriguing watch.

Sony Pictures will release Klara and the Sun exclusively in theaters on October 23, 2026.