Taika Waititi Criticizes 'Klara and the Sun' Critics as Irrelevant and Out of Touch

Taika Waititi, the acclaimed director behind 'Thor: Ragnarok', has taken aim at the critics of his latest project, 'Klara and the Sun'. In a bold move, Waititi described the reviewers as "irrelevant, out of touch, and obsolete", signaling a notable departure from the usual graciousness often displayed by filmmakers towards their critics ¹³.

This sentiment comes after Sony Pictures decided to reduce the film's wide release to just 880 theaters in the United States, a significant cutback from what might have been expected for a major studio release ¹³. This decision appears to be a direct response to the initial negative reviews that greeted the film.

Waititi also shared that he hasn't read reviews aimed at himself or his peers for nearly 15 years, suggesting a personal philosophy that values creative vision over critical acclaim ¹³. This approach seems to have influenced his reaction to the reception of 'Klara and the Sun'.

The film, based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 dystopian novel, tells the story of an android named Klara who seeks to form a bond with her new owner, Josie. However, the narrative details provided by one source ² appear to contradict another ¹, indicating some uncertainty about the exact plot elements highlighted in promotional materials.

Regarding the film's commercial performance, there is some discrepancy among reports. While one source claims that 'Klara and the Sun' opened to $701,000 domestically ¹, others suggest a different figure, with the film earning approximately $725,000 in its opening weekend and grossing around $1.7 million worldwide ². Additionally, the film's debut position in the box office varies between reports, with one stating it debuted at number 15 with $720,000 from 880 locations ³, while another mentions a different ranking ¹².

The film's budget was estimated to be around $20 million, a moderate sum for a major studio production ¹. Despite the mixed reception, the cast, including lead actress Jenna Ortega, has maintained a positive outlook, with Ortega herself avoiding the scrutiny of reviews and box office figures ³.

What we know

• - The film is based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 dystopian novel. ¹²³
• - Taika Waititi criticized the critics of 'Klara and the Sun' as irrelevant, out of touch, and obsolete. ¹³
• - Taika Waititi mentioned not reading reviews aimed at him or his peers for nearly 15 years. ¹³
• - Sony reduced the film's wide release to 880 theaters in the US following negative reviews. ¹³
• - The film's budget was approximately $20 million. ¹
• - Jenna Ortega, who plays Klara, avoids reading reviews and checking box office numbers. ³

What remains unclear

• - The exact domestic opening weekend earnings and overall box office ranking of 'Klara and the Sun'. ¹²³
• - The initial and final audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes for 'Klara and the Sun'. ¹²³