Marvel filmmaker Taika Waititi has publicly criticized movie critics following the negative reception of his latest project, Klara and the Sun. In a post on Instagram accompanied by various emojis, the director behind Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Love and Thunder described reviewers as "sad lost souls who couldn't achieve their dreams" who ultimately settled for becoming critics. Waititi stated that he has not read reviews aimed at himself or his peers in nearly 15 years but emphasized that he listens to the general public.
The film, a live-action adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel starring Jenna Ortega and Mia Tharia, premiered on October 23, 2026. While audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes stand at a favorable 74%, the critical score has dropped to a "rotten" 26%. The film also holds a negative Metascore of 30 out of 100 based on 27 reviews. Waititi's post specifically targeted those who were unimpressed, noting that the same critics who disliked Klara and the Sun had also hated his 2019 film Jojo Rabbit, despite that movie holding an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Commercially, the film has struggled to gain traction. After two weekends in theaters, Klara and the Sun has earned only $1.7 million worldwide. Reports indicate that Sony Pictures reduced the initial release plan from approximately 2,000 theaters to just 800 and ceased reporting box office earnings for the weekend. The production budget is estimated to be between $20 million and $40 million.
Waititi concluded his social media message by labeling critics as "Irrelevant. Out of touch. Obsolete," adding a trash can emoji to signify they should be discarded. This controversy comes shortly after Waititi announced that his planned Star Wars film, which he had been developing for six years, is currently "on ice." The future of Klara and the Sun remains uncertain following these developments.
Sources: IGN.