Taika Waititi Claps Back at Critics of 'Klara and the Sun': A Bold Defense!

Taika Waititi has taken a strong stance against critics of his latest film, 'Klara and the Sun,' labeling them as 'sad lost souls.' Despite the film's poor critical reception and disappointing box office performance, Waititi emphasizes the positive audience response. The adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel features Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, but has faced significant backlash for its perceived lack of emotional depth. With a production budget of USD 20 million, the film has struggled to make an impact at the box office. Lead actress Jenna Ortega also shares her approach to handling reviews, prioritizing her mental well-being over critics' opinions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 20:44 IST

Director's Response to Criticism

Taika Waititi, the acclaimed director behind hits like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, has openly responded to the unfavorable reviews of his recent film, Klara and the Sun. In a social media post dated October 31, he referred to critics who disapproved of the film as "sad lost souls," emphasizing the gap between professional critiques and audience enjoyment.

Waititi revealed that he has steered clear of reading reviews for nearly 15 years, opting instead to concentrate on how audiences perceive his films. He described critics who were harsh on his latest project as individuals who failed to fulfill their artistic aspirations, turning to criticism instead. He further dismissed these reviewers as "irrelevant," "out of touch," and "obsolete," while showcasing a poster that highlighted the film's impressive 78 percent audience score compared to its dismal 26 percent rating on the Tomatometer.

Film Overview and Box Office Struggles

The adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 dystopian novel, featuring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, debuted in theaters on October 23. The narrative revolves around Klara, an "Artificial Friend" created to offer companionship to a sick teenager named Josie. Upon its release, the film faced harsh criticism, with reviewers labeling it as "listless," "uneven," and lacking the emotional resonance of the original book. This negative reception has resulted in the lowest critical score for any film directed by Waititi thus far.

Financially, the film has not performed well, with a disappointing domestic box office showing. Despite a production budget of USD 20 million, it garnered only about USD 700,000 during its opening weekend and an additional USD 145,000 in its second weekend, totaling around USD 1.1 million domestically. In a previous interview with Vogue, lead actress Jenna Ortega mentioned that she consciously avoids reading reviews of her work, believing that it could harm her mental health.