Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun savaged by critics

What happened

Taika Waititi's new film Klara and the Sun, adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, has been heavily criticised by international reviewers with multiple one-star reviews. The film stars Jenna Ortega as Klara, an artificial friend who cares for a sick teenage girl in a post-apocalyptic world. Waititi shot the film in Wānaka and its surrounding plains. In an interview, Waititi discussed his approach to adapting the novel for screen, his collaboration with Ishiguro, and how his mother influenced his writing, particularly his portrayal of complex female characters. He described the challenge of condensing a novel's narrative into film format and praised New Zealand's natural light and locations for filmmaking.

Key facts

• Film stars Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams
• Shot in Wānaka and surrounding plains
• Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel
• Waititi won Best Screenplay Oscar for Jojo Rabbit in 2020
• Film earned multiple one-star reviews

Covered byStuffNZ HeraldNot covered byRNZ1NewsNewstalk ZBOtago Daily TimesNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

Where the outlets differ

Stuff's headline emphasises critical panning; NZ Herald focuses on Waititi's creative process and interview content, mentioning filming location and his mother's influence.

What outlets are saying