Klara and the Sun

Item: Klara and the Sun
Rating: 4
Author: Reel Dialogue

Childlike Faith in an Android Future

4.5/5

Artificial Intelligence, Beauty and Creativity, Family, Friendship, Life to the full

22 Oct 2026

Michael Walsh

Whilst once beloved for Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi has now become somewhat of a divisive figure. Despite earning accolades for 2019's Jojo Rabbit, many soured on the Kiwi, believing his humour had begun to undercut his emotions and that his comedy was now at odds with the themes he wished to explore. This was only compounded by the mixed reception to his following films, Thor: Love and Thunder and Next Goal Wins. But the director has now returned with an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Klara and the Sun.

The film follows artificial friend Klara (Jenna Ortega), a discontinued B1 android still holding out optimistic hope that she will be adopted by a teen in need of a companion. On her final day in the shopfront window, Klara catches the eye of Josie (Mia Tharia), who manages to convince her sceptical mother, Chrissie (Amy Adams), to purchase the robot. Brought out into a world beyond the shopfront window, Klara faces new challenges to her optimism and outlook, but never loses her faith that the Sun will be on her side and overcome any darkness that emerges.

A much-needed dose of optimism

Whilst some may bemoan its saccharine, treacly moments, that may be even further evidence of just how needed a film like this is in today’s cynical, polarised day and age. Klara and the Sun is not just a film about humanity; it’s a film about faith. A beautifully written and executed allegory for childlike, innocent wonder that compels care, selfless love and optimistic hope.

Jenna Ortega absolutely shines as the eponymous Klara. It’s a wonderfully comedic performance full of strong physicality and genuine earnestness. She captures such youthful joy that crummy people may find annoying, but others will find greatly endearing. She’s learning constantly about the world, and her friendship with Josie never results in Klara becoming less of herself. Rather, she continues to have beliefs and dreams that drive her to serve those around her.

A compelling cast and imaginative world

Mia Tharia brings good spunk to a rebellious teen trying to navigate life with an overbearing yet also absent mother, played by Amy Adams, who delivers a believable turn as a grieving and exasperated mother unsure of how to cope in the face of compounding losses. Rachel House is also always a welcome addition to Waititi’s films, and her suspicious housekeeper, Melania, adds some fun comedic conflict to Klara’s coming-of-age android odyssey. Additionally, the film’s production design is a wonderful blend of retrofuturistic styles, being set in a near future post-WW3 where the internet has been disabled, but technological advancements still endure.

One particular scene involving ‘lifted kids’ (adolescents with biomedically heightened intelligence) brings great discomfort through their behaviour whilst also impressing with the creative costuming and world-building on display.

The bottom line

Overall, Klara and the Sun is a beautifully heartfelt exploration of one android’s journey through imitation and discovery of the irreplaceable spark of the human soul. Through the eyes of Klara, we see a world of shining, bright love and tender care, and those are both things this world deeply needs more of.

REEL DIALOGUE: A Friend of the Son

From Klara’s opening prayer, we are introduced to a beautifully earnest and awe-filled childlike faith that cuts through the cynical noise of today’s secular age.

In every way, Klara is a faithful reflection of the Sun, acting like the Moon to mirror and reflect the warmth and healing of its rays into the lives of those around her.

But this childlike, innocent faith is not one immune from moments of doubt, grief or questioning.

Yet Klara is never discouraged.

She remains faithful even when she can’t see the Sun because she knows it’s there, even when it’s set and the darkness has closed in.

Because the Sun will rise again, defeating the darkness and restoring warmth and light to the world.

Klara loves the Sun, and she shares that love with all those around her and seeks to point them earnestly towards acknowledging, appreciating, knowing and enjoying the Sun.

She’s a perfectly angelic allegory for the role Christians are to have as ambassadors of the Son, as we are likewise called to reflect the warmth and healing that comes from faith in the One who sustains all things.

For Christians, we too know the Son who has defeated darkness and restores all things.

Are you a friend of the Son? He desires to be a friend to you.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” — 1 John 5:20

About Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh is an avid film fan, missions mobiliser and graduate of Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC). Growing up constantly either renting movies from the local video store, or buying movies with his pocket money to add to his collection, his love of film is surpassed only by his love of God, and his desire to make the Gospel known to all the ends of the earth.