A promising sci‑fi adaptation starring Jenna Ortega is being pulled from Spain after a dismal U.S. debut.
Key points
- A 25% critic rating and a $700K opening weekend led Sony Pictures to cancel the planned Spanish theatrical release of *Klara and the Sun*.
- Audience scores are considerably higher than critic scores, indicating a split reception between reviewers and general viewers.
- The film’s limited U.S. theater count was reduced from 1,900 to 880 after early negative reviews, highlighting the rapid pivot by distributors.
MovieWeb reported that the Taika Waititi‑directed adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, *Klara and the Sun*, opened in the United States on Oct. 23, 2026, and earned just over $700,000 in its first weekend, placing it among the biggest opening‑weekend flops of the year.
The film, which debuted in roughly 880 theaters after an initial plan for 1,900, holds a 25% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 88 reviews, with critics like Mashable’s Kristy Puchko calling it “a story of faith with no soul.”
Box office disappointment
In contrast, audience reactions are more favorable; the same Rotten Tomatoes page shows a 74% audience score from more than 100 viewer reviews, with some fans describing the movie as “emotion‑filled” and “tear‑jerking.”
Following the poor domestic performance, Sony Pictures confirmed to Spanish outlet Hobby Consolas that the planned theatrical release in Spain has been cancelled, though the company has not ruled out a future rescheduling.
Critical and audience reception
The movie’s premise follows an artificial friend, Klara (Jenna Ortega), who seeks a home and forms a bond with a grieving teen, Josie (Mia Tharia), while navigating a strained relationship with Josie’s mother (Amy Adams). Despite the star‑studded cast and a script by Waititi, the mixed reception suggests the film may rely on a later streaming window to find an audience.
Reader questions
Why was the Spain release of *Klara and the Sun* cancelled?
According to MovieWeb, Sony Pictures pulled the Spanish rollout after the film received poor reviews and a weak box‑office performance in its U.S. opening weekend.
How did the film perform financially in its opening weekend?
The movie earned just over $700,000 in its first weekend, making it one of the largest opening‑weekend flops of 2026, as reported by MovieWeb.
What is the difference between critic and audience reactions?
Critics gave the film a 25% Rotten Tomatoes score, citing issues with tone and depth, while audience members rated it 74% on the same platform, describing it as emotionally resonant.
Source: movieweb.com
