Sony Pictures unveils dramatic first trailer for Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Klara and the Sun, a feature film directed by Taika Waititi and adapted from the bestselling novel by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. The trailer signals a distinct departure from the director’s previous work, adopting a dramatic tone that reviewers have likened to his 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople. This shift aligns with Waititi’s stated intention to create his most dramatic film to date, moving away from the blend of offbeat comedy and gentle tragedy that characterised projects such as Jojo Rabbit and Our Flag Means Death.

The narrative is set in an unidentified future and is narrated by Klara, a solar-powered Artificial Friend (AF) played by Jenna Ortega. The plot follows Klara as she is chosen by Josie, played by Mia Tharia, despite being an older model. The selection process involves a 20 percent discount offered by the AF store manager, portrayed by Natasha Lyonne, who advises the unit to remember its training to become like family. The cast also features Amy Adams as Josie’s mother, Rachel House as the housekeeper Melania, Aran Murphy as Josie’s friend Rick, and Sophia Bryant-Taukiri as Josie’s sister Sal. Steve Buscemi and Harry Greenwood appear in undisclosed roles.

Waititi told Vanity Fair that he initially recognised the material required a new tonal approach. He noted that he was no longer interested in catering to audience expectations based on his previous output or his own past creative patterns. The director described the source material as a leisurely meditation on humanity’s relationship with technology, suggesting that the film will explore these themes through Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty.

The story centres on the bond between Klara and Josie, who immediately sense a kindred spirit in one another. Josie’s family has suffered great loss and maintains a fraught relationship, but Klara’s presence begins to heal the family dynamic. As the trailer suggests, Klara soon senses that something is wrong and turns to the sun, the source of her nourishment, for guidance. While the specific nature of the conflict remains undisclosed in the marketing material, the narrative promises to delve into the complexities of artificial companionship and human emotion.

Klara and the Sun is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026. The film represents a significant project for Sony Pictures, leveraging the literary prestige of Ishiguro’s work and the distinctive directorial voice of Waititi. By focusing on a dramatic interpretation of the novel, the studio aims to attract audiences interested in thoughtful science fiction and character-driven stories, rather than relying on the lighter comedic elements often associated with the director.