Taika Waititi Slams Critics Over Klara and the Sun Performance

Director Taika Waititi has publicly criticized film reviewers following the disappointing commercial performance of his latest feature, Klara and the Sun. The film, an adaptation of the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, has struggled at the box office, prompting Waititi to defend his work by highlighting a significant disparity between professional critical reception and audience approval.

Why it is trending now

The director posted a statement on social media labeling critics as "sad lost souls" who are "out of touch" and "obsolete." This reaction followed reports of the film's poor box-office performance, which included its removal from over 1,000 theaters. Waititi stated that he creates films for "the people" rather than for reviewers, noting that he has not read professional reviews of his work in nearly 15 years.

Key facts

• According to The Guardian, Klara and the Sun had a reported production budget of $44 million.
• Data from the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes shows a 26% approval rating from critics based on 90 reviews, compared to a 74% audience score.
• Collider reported that the film was removed from more than 1,000 theaters following its debut.
• Waititi compared the reception of this film to his previous work, Jojo Rabbit, suggesting that critics also held negative views of that project.

Why this is trending in Australia

The interest in Australia reflects a broader global discussion regarding the influence of film critics versus audience sentiment on social media. The notes do not specify a unique local event or factor driving Australian search volume, suggesting the trend is part of a wider international conversation about the film's commercial trajectory.

Background and context

Klara and the Sun was positioned as a major release for Taika Waititi, who gained significant acclaim for his Academy Award-winning film Jojo Rabbit. The current situation marks a noted commercial challenge for the director, as the film failed to gain traction despite its pedigree. The public clash between the filmmaker and professional critics underscores ongoing debates about the relevance of traditional review scores in the modern cinema landscape.

What happens next

As of November 2, 2026, there is no official word on potential changes to the film's distribution or future streaming availability. The production team has not announced any further statements regarding the film's commercial performance. Industry observers will likely continue to monitor the long-term box-office totals to determine the total financial impact of the release.