Jenna Ortega Stars as AI Companion in Taika Waititi's "Klara and the Sun" – Oct 23, 2026
Director Taika Waititi has adapted the novel "Klara and the Sun," with Jenna Ortega playing an AI companion called an Artificial Friend. The film is set for a theatrical release on October 23, 2026, distributed by Sony Pictures. The story centers on the bond between the AI Klara and a young girl named Josie, played by Mia Tharia.
Taika Waititi's new movie Klara and the Sun has a first-look trailerIt teases Jenna Ortega as the titular AI companion, playing what's called an Artificial FriendKlara and the Sun arrives in theaters on October 23, 2026Klara and The Sun got its first trailer recently, and the new movie quickly grabbed my attention. Even though stories of AI companions are everywhere, this one has done a lot to stand out from the crowd.Before we get into that, here's a quick synopsis. Taika Waititi's Klara and The Sun is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, centering around an Artificial Friend (Jenna Ortega) and the human she was bought for, Josie (Mia Tharia).Take a look at the trailer below ahead of the movie's release on October 23, 2026.Why I'm excited for Klara and The Sun(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)Stories about AI companions are hardly new, and you'd be forgiven for growing a little tired of them. Whether it's sci-fi classics like A.I. Artificial Intelligence or horrors like Companion, lifelike androids are nothing new.But I quickly found myself interested in Klara and the Sun after seeing the trailer and reading up on it. The original novel by Kazuo Ishiguro explores a dystopian world where children are genetically engineered for enhanced academic ability.There's plenty of downsides to this, including social isolation. Children learn at home through on-screen tutors so they spend a lot of time stuck indoors. Enter the Artificial Friends, companions that can be purchased for the home where they'll keep children company without needing to be cared for like a pet would. It's a bleak existence, but there's also something hopeful about Klara and the Sun. The trailer teases an unlikely bond between the titular AI companion and Josie, her human friend.Outside of the interesting premise I'm also impressed by the cast. Supporting roles are played by Amy Adams, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi, so we have some great talent attached to this.I'm really excited to dive deeper into this world, especially since I have enjoyed Waititi's previous work such as Jojo Rabbit. I'm hoping that Klara and the Sun is just as good.
The Portland Trail Blazers are hiring Micah Nori as their new head coach, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Nori spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This marks his first head coaching role in the NBA.
Mike Babcock, last fired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, was officially named the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The veteran coach also previously led the Detroit Red Wings. The appointment marks his return to the NHL after several years away from the league.
Nature published a retraction note on June 23, 2026, withdrawing a previously published study on sub-second periodicity observed in fast radio bursts. The notice does not detail the specific reasons behind the retraction. Fast radio bursts are brief, intense pulses of radio waves from space that remain an active area of scientific research.
The United States has issued a warning about imminent atrocities in El Obeid, Sudan. The city sits along a strategically vital highway connecting the Darfur region in western Sudan to the country's east, making it a key flashpoint in the ongoing civil war. The warning signals serious concern for the safety of civilians in the area.
Four Polish women — Iga Świątek, Maja Chwalińska, Magda Linette and Magdalena Fręch — have secured places in the 2026 Wimbledon main draw. Katarzyna Kawa could become the fifth, having reached the second round of qualifying after a dominant win over Bandecchi. Her manager Piotr Szczypka says Kawa is close to the WTA top 100 and reaching it is her goal for Wimbledon.
Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, is releasing a country solo album called "Thrasher" in August. Recorded in Nashville, the record features contributions from Charlie McCoy, known for his harmonica work with Bob Dylan. The project marks a significant stylistic departure for Flowers from his rock roots.
Leo Messi has broken Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record. Kylian Mbappe immediately began chasing him down, while Harry Kane and Erling Haaland are also in contention for the tournament's top scorer crown. The race for the Golden Boot at this year's World Cup is shaping up to be exceptionally competitive.
The Les Bossons glacier in the French Alps, near Mont Blanc and Chamonix, is retreating rapidly as Europe's second heat wave of 2026 accelerates ice melt. Recent photographs reveal extensive ice loss and new signs of rapid deterioration of the glacier's surface. Scientists warn that extreme temperatures are dramatically speeding up the glacier's decline.
Ten years after a slim majority of British voters chose to leave the European Union, the economic and political consequences of Brexit continue to disrupt the United Kingdom. The decision remains one of the most divisive issues in British politics and society. A decade on, the country is still grappling with disruptions that show no sign of fully resolving.
Blues legend Buddy Guy is celebrating his 90th birthday with a special concert featuring Eric Clapton and John Mayer. "Can't wait to celebrate 90 years of living, loving, and playing the blues with all my friends," Guy said in a statement on Tuesday. The specific date and venue of the concert were not included in the available information.
Samsung is planning to extend its phone-acceleration technology beyond its own devices to smartphones made by other manufacturers. The feature optimises RAM management, resulting in smoother app performance. Samsung has not yet revealed a full list of supported third-party devices.
Ukraine has destroyed the Crimea bridge in its latest strike aimed at isolating the Russian-annexed peninsula. In a deadly counterstrike, Russia launched a ballistic missile at Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, causing fatalities. Both attacks mark a fresh escalation targeting critical infrastructure on both sides.
After weeks of false alarms, equity markets have hit a genuine stumbling block: a selloff in tech stocks that drove gains for two years. Investors are debating whether this is a long-overdue correction after inflated valuations or simply a brief pause before the rally resumes. AI-linked companies, which led the bull run, are among the hardest hit.
Abelardo de la Espriella, an ultra-right-wing outsider, has won Colombia's presidential runoff for the first time in the country's history. His narrow victory signals a significant rightward shift in Colombian politics. Analysts warn the result could trigger fresh social and political conflicts within the country.
Apple has closed its store in Maryland, the only unionized Apple retail location in the United States. The company cited "declining conditions" in the surrounding mall as the reason for the closure. The workers' union has rejected that explanation, accusing Apple of retaliating against employees for unionizing.
In round 10 of the PGE Ekstraliga, Betard Sparta Wrocław will host Bayersystem GKM Grudziądz this Friday. The match carries significant weight in the battle for playoff qualification. Both teams' announced squads for the fixture have been released.
FC Barcelona officially confirmed the transfer of Iñaki Peña to Greek club Panathinaikos FC. As a result, Wojciech Szczęsny will remain at Barcelona as the sole backup option behind first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is also expected to leave the club shortly.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance — comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — has issued a rare joint warning aimed at business and technology leaders. The agencies state that artificial intelligence is already transforming how cyberattacks are carried out and defended against. So-called Frontier AI models could fundamentally shift the balance of power in cyberspace within months, the statement warns.
Hideo Kojima has shared new details about his co-created horror game OD, developed alongside filmmaker Jordan Peele. The Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator says he has devised a way to make the game accessible even to players who cannot stand scary games. OD was first revealed in 2023 with a trailer featuring actress Sophia Lillis.
One hundred years ago, students across the United States sat the first-ever SAT exam, designed to measure college readiness. Over the decades the test evolved into a symbol of the American higher education system. Today, however, a growing number of colleges have dropped the SAT requirement, raising questions about its continued relevance in admissions.
Comments
Loading…
Swipe up
⚡
You're all caught up
You've seen all the latest stories. Check back later for more.
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to weigh in 👇
No comments yet. Be the first!