Jenna Ortega Brings Heart and Wonder to the Role of an Artificial Friend in ‘Klara and the Sun’

Jenna Ortega steps into a quieter, more open space with her latest role in ‘Klara and the Sun’. She plays Klara, a solar-powered robot built to keep loneliness at bay for the people who choose her. Taika Waititi directs and shapes the story from Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, turning the page into a film that reaches theaters on October 23.

Klara stands in a store waiting with other artificial friends, a mix of older and newer kinds. Shoppers go by as Natasha Lyonne, the store manager, attempts to lift everyone’s mood with some practical pep speeches. Klara watches the sun with reverence, seeing it as a source of power and peaceful optimism. Her voice communicates a simple, genuine plea…she only wants a home and a companion.

Josie, a bright-eyed teenager played by Mia Thoris, notices something in Klara that no one else does and decides to acquire her, despite the high price. Amy Adams plays Josie’s mother, a woman who is still carrying the weight of loss with her, and while she agrees to the purchase, she emphasizes that Klara is still under warranty and may be returned if things do not work out. The tension in the room is evident, yet Klara’s constant presence appears to be gradually changing the atmosphere surrounding the family.

The recently released trailer shows Klara learning as she goes. She has no idea what she is doing at first, like a little child, but she absorbs all of Josie and her family’s routines, feelings, and minor rituals. One particular scene strikes out: she’s sliding down the stairs on her stomach, her eyes full with genuine curiosity. Another photo shows her with her face raised up to the sun, her hair unkempt, as if she is yearning for answers that the rest of the world lacks. Even when the plot becomes darker and touches on more serious family issues, these scenes keep the mood light and curious.

Ishiguro’s book closely resembles Klara’s narrow but observant worldview. The film appears to be doing the same, showing us what the characters do via her eyes rather than bombarding us with exposition. Waititi joined the project after an earlier version had run its course, and his approach focuses on bringing warmth and minor emotional beats to the plot rather than trying for a grim dystopian tone. The end result feels far more like a lovely character study than a warning against machines.

The supporting cast, including Steve Buscemi and Aran Murphy, fills out the world without overwhelming it. Sony’s 3000 Pictures is producing the film, along with David Heyman and Waititi himself. Ishiguro is one of the executive producers, and he will remain involved as the story moves from page to screen. The trailer avoids making Klara into a monster or a superhero, instead portraying her as loyal, observant, and quietly determined to help the people who have taken her in, and I believe that restraint allows the film to explore what connection actually entails when technology is such an integral part of our everyday lives.