Klara and the Sun (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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Klara and the Sun is a 2026 science-fiction drama directed by Taika Waititi. Jenna Ortega plays Klara, an Artificial Friend whose bond with a troubled young girl brings hope and emotional change to a grieving family.

Klara and the Sun is a science-fiction drama centered on Klara, an Artificial Friend whose perspective on the world is shaped by innocent wonder and unwavering devotion. Her life changes when she forms a deep bond with Josie, a troubled young girl.

Directed by Taika Waititi and adapted from a novel-based premise, the film places artificial intelligence, family relationships and grief at the center of its story. Jenna Ortega leads the cast as Klara, alongside Mia Tharia, Amy Adams and Natasha Lyonne.

Klara and the Sun movie details

Story without spoilers

Klara becomes connected to Josie, a young girl living within a grieving family. As their relationship develops, Klara’s devotion brings comfort, light and hope to those around her. The story explores friendship, family bonds and the emotional questions raised by an Artificial Friend in a dystopian setting.

The supplied synopsis keeps the focus on Klara and Josie’s bond rather than revealing how their circumstances unfold. Its central conflict comes from the contrast between Klara’s innocent outlook and the troubled, emotionally difficult world surrounding Josie and her family.

What to expect

The film combines science fiction and drama, using an Artificial Friend as the starting point for a story about companionship, artificial intelligence and family relationships. Its listed themes include friendship, grief, a mother-daughter relationship and emotional connections, while the dystopian setting suggests a future shaped by unfamiliar social and technological conditions.

At 1 hour and 56 minutes, Klara and the Sun has room to give its central relationship and family circumstances substantial attention. The premise points toward a thoughtful, emotionally focused story rather than a purely technology-driven science-fiction adventure.

Cast and creative team

Jenna Ortega stars as Klara, with Mia Tharia playing Josie and Amy Adams portraying Chrissie. Natasha Lyonne is credited as the Manager, Aran Murphy as Rick, Rachel House as Melania, Davida McKenzie as Simone and Anastasiia Aksiuta as AF-1. Steve Buscemi and Harry Greenwood are also part of the cast, though no character names are supplied for their roles.

Taika Waititi directs the film and shares writing credit with Dahvi Waller. Their screenplay is based on the supplied novel-based premise.

• Jenna Ortega as Klara
• Mia Tharia as Josie
• Amy Adams as Chrissie
• Natasha Lyonne as Manager
• Aran Murphy as Rick
• Rachel House as Melania
• Steve Buscemi
• Davida McKenzie as Simone
• Harry Greenwood
• Anastasiia Aksiuta as AF-1

Release and production context

Klara and the Sun is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of October 21, 2026. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes and is in English. The production countries are New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The production companies credited are 3000 Pictures, Heyday Films, Defender Films, TSG Entertainment and Spyglass Media Group. The film is classified as Science Fiction and Drama.

Production companies: 3000 Pictures, Heyday Films, Defender Films, TSG Entertainment, Spyglass Media Group

Klara and the Sun official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its focus on an Artificial Friend, a troubled child and a grieving family, Klara and the Sun brings technological questions into an intimate emotional setting. The credited cast and Waititi’s directing and writing roles frame it as a character-centered science-fiction drama built around friendship, devotion and family.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb