Jenna Ortega’s New Sci-Fi Movie Turns Compelling AI Drama Into One Big Joke
Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, starring Jenna Ortega, attempts to explore meaningful science fiction themes centered on artificial intelligence and its emotional connection to humanity. The film contains substantial dramatic and emotional material with genuine heartbreak throughout. However, the director’s signature comedic style repeatedly undermines the dramatic potential of these scenes.
The critic notes that nearly every meaningful moment is interrupted by juvenile humor designed to reassure viewers that the film is not taking itself seriously. This approach directly contradicts the film’s own thematic concerns about what it means for an AI to care for humanity. A scene depicting a robot’s emotional devotion would land with far greater impact if audiences were allowed to sit with the gravity of that moment without comedic interruption.
The reviewer acknowledges that Klara and the Sun does succeed in creating emotional resonance—they left the theater tearful. However, this achievement occurs despite Waititi’s directorial choices rather than because of them. The film would have been significantly more powerful with restraint and willingness to let dramatic moments breathe. The persistent tension between serious subject matter and constant joking undermines the weight of the narrative.