Klara and the Sun UK Release Date, Cast and Story

Jenna Ortega stars as a solar-powered android in Klara and the Sun, a new science-fiction drama arriving in UK cinemas on Friday 23 October 2026. Directed by Taika Waititi, the film explores friendship, grief and the relationships people form with artificial companions.

Based on the bestselling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, the story follows Klara, an Artificial Friend who hopes to find a family that will welcome her into their lives. The film also stars Amy Adams and Mia Tharia, with its world premiere taking place at the BFI London Film Festival earlier this month.

What is Klara and the Sun about?

Klara is an artificial companion designed to help people experiencing loneliness, but she has an unusual way of understanding the world. Her curiosity, careful observations and belief in the power of the sun influence how she interprets the people and events around her.

When Klara meets a teenage girl named Josie, the pair immediately recognise something familiar in each other. Josie is struggling with illness and has a complicated relationship with her mother, Chrissie, who is dealing with grief following a devastating family loss.

Klara becomes part of their household and attempts to understand the emotional difficulties affecting the family. Her loyalty to Josie creates an unusual friendship that sits at the heart of the story.

Although the film takes place in a fictional future, its central concerns are familiar ones involving love, loneliness and the desire to feel understood. Klara's artificial nature allows those experiences to be explored from the perspective of someone who observes human behaviour without fully sharing it.

Who stars in Klara and the Sun?

Jenna Ortega plays Klara, following her success in Wednesday, Scream and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Mia Tharia appears as Josie, the teenager whose relationship with Klara forms the emotional centre of the film.

Amy Adams plays Josie's mother, while the supporting cast includes Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi and Natasha Lyonne. The screenplay was written by Taika Waititi and Dahvi Waller, with Waititi also directing and producing.

The film adapts Ishiguro's 2021 novel, which explores similar questions about what people expect from relationships and the lengths they may go to protect those they love. Waititi's adaptation brings the story to the screen at a time when AI companions and conversational technology are becoming subjects of greater public interest.

Is Klara and the Sun suitable for younger viewers?

The film has a UK 12A classification and runs for approximately 116 minutes. The classification guidance identifies moderate threat, violence, injury detail and infrequent strong language.

The story also includes themes of bereavement, illness and emotional distress, alongside scenes involving damage to human-looking robots. Parents considering the film for younger audiences may wish to check the classification guidance before booking.

Despite its science-fiction setting, the film is not primarily about machines taking control or threatening humanity. Its focus is on an artificial companion trying to help a family while learning about the complexity of human emotions.

When can UK audiences watch Klara and the Sun?

Klara and the Sun opens in UK cinemas on Friday 23 October 2026, following its London Film Festival premiere. Viewers can check local cinema listings for screenings, including accessibility information and available formats.

The film's official synopsis, trailer and further details are available through Sony Pictures UK. Its combination of science fiction and family drama offers a different perspective on artificial intelligence from the action-driven stories more commonly associated with the genre.

Image credit: Sony Pictures / Klara and the Sun.