Entertainment · Film · 38 mins ago
Taika Waititi Hits Back at Critics of ‘Klara and the Sun’
Director Taika Waititi criticized reviewers of his new film, “Klara and the Sun,” in an Instagram post.
He called critics “irrelevant,” “out of touch” and “obsolete,” and said he listens to audiences instead.
The film has a low critics score but a higher audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, though the scores vary across the accounts.
Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, it follows an android companion, played by Jenna Ortega, who tries to bond with a sick young girl named Josie.
The film opened to about $700,000 in US theaters and has made little money at the box office so far.
Sony cut its US release to 880 theaters after negative reviews, and the film’s future international release plans are also reportedly being scaled back.
Taika Waititi criticized reviewers of his film Klara and the Sun after it received low critics’ scores and weak box office results.
In an Instagram post, he called critics “sad lost souls” and described them as “irrelevant,” “out of touch” and “obsolete.”
The film’s Rotten Tomatoes critics score was reported as 26%, 28% or 26% depending on the article and timing.
Reports put its domestic opening weekend gross between $701,000 and $725,000, and the film opened in 880 North American theaters.
The film stars Jenna Ortega as an android companion and is adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel.
- Who
- Director Taika Waititi criticized film critics.
- What
- He defended Klara and the Sun against negative reviews and highlighted its audience score.
- When
- He posted his comments on Instagram on Saturday, October 31, according to three articles; Just Jared says he posted on Friday, October 30.
- Where
- On Instagram.
- Why
- He said he listens to audiences, and pointed to the film’s audience score; the articles report that critics gave it low scores.
Taika Waititi
Critics who reviewed Klara and the Sun
Critical reception
Taika Waititi
Waititi called critics “sad lost souls” and described them as “irrelevant,” “out of touch” and “obsolete.
Critics who reviewed Klara and the Sun
Reviews were largely negative; a Deadline review said the film “just doesn’t deliver on any of the fronts it promises.
Audience response
Taika Waititi
Waititi highlighted the film’s audience score, reported as 78% in some articles.
Critics who reviewed Klara and the Sun
Critics’ scores were reported as 26% or 28%.
Waititi discussed artificial intelligence with The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s New York premiere.
Klara and the Sun opened in theaters, earning between $701,000 and $725,000 in its opening weekend, according to the articles.
Waititi posted on Instagram criticizing the film’s critics; the articles differ on whether he posted Friday or Saturday.
Sony cut the film’s wide US release to 880 theaters, according to Deadline.
- Director
- Taika Waititi
- Film
- Klara and the Sun
- Source novel
- Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel of the same name
- Lead actor
- Jenna Ortega
- US theater count
- 880
- Reported critics score
- 26% or 28% on Rotten Tomatoes
5 sources
Taika Waititi Slams ‘Klara and the Sun’ Critics After Movie Gets Poor Reviews
Taika Waititi Calls ‘Klara and the Sun’ Critics “Irrelevant, Out Of Touch, Obsolete”
‘Klara and the Sun’ Director Taika Waititi Calls Critics “Sad Lost Souls” Over Negative Reviews
Taika Waititi Slams ‘Klara and the Sun’ Critics as ‘Irrelevant,’ ‘Sad Lost Souls’ and Says He Hasn’t ‘Read a Review’ in 15 Years: ‘But I Do Listen to the People’
Taika Waititi Calls Out His ‘Klara and the Sun’ Critics: ‘Irrelevant, Out of Touch, Obsolete’
What people are saying
I haven’t read a review of anything aimed at me or my peers in almost 15 years. But I do listen to the people.
So this Halloween, let’s spare a thought for those sad lost souls who couldn’t achieve their dreams of becoming artists, and thus became critics.
Irrelevant. Out of touch. Obsolete. In the bin.
But Klara just doesn’t deliver on any of the fronts it promises.