Jenna Ortega's New Sci-Fi Movie Turns Compelling AI Drama Into One Big Joke

Klara and the Sun is based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel. Director Taika Waititi strips away its compelling ideas with jokes. Maybe it’s a sign of a more jaded world or a less capable film, but with Klara and the Sun, I found myself wishing for restraint. Don’t make the obvious joke; don’t encourage another weird face-off between actors. A dramatic scene depicting a robot’s devotion to humanity would land better if we could sit with it without a giggle break. But no such luck.