Taika Waititi’s film *Klara and the Sun* is being widely scrutinised by critics after its release and/or appearance at the London Film Festival. Coverage from multiple outlets describes a sci-fi story centered on Klara, an “artificial friend” robot, but several reviewers say the film struggles to fully land its mix of comedy, romance and grief.
Across reviews, outlets converge on concerns about tone and execution. The Guardian calls the adaptation sentimental and “twee,” arguing it becomes an emotionally padded tale that does not meaningfully explore themes of artificial intelligence, love or grief. Deadline similarly characterises the film as a “curiously flat” dystopian comedy-drama that, despite its premise about the technological revolution, doesn’t make its concepts compelling on screen. The Independent’s reviews focus on the film’s perceived shortcomings and also highlight misfires affecting Jenna Ortega’s performance.
While critics generally agree the adaptation misses its mark, they emphasise different aspects: some focus on narrative substance and thematic clarity, others on overall pacing and characterisation, and still others on how the film’s genre blend and sentimentality shape viewers’ reactions.
