The box office is buzzing this weekend, but not for every new release. While DC's Clayface and A24's You Can See Everything are drawing crowds, one highly anticipated sci-fi drama is struggling to find its footing. Klara and the Sun, starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, has been pulled from over 1,000 theaters before its debut, leaving it with a meager 850-screen release.
The film, directed by Oscar winner Taika Waititi, was initially slated for a wide rollout in nearly 2,000 locations. But after early reviews turned sour and tracking numbers plummeted, Sony opted for a platform strategy. Unfortunately, opening-day figures suggest the gamble isn't paying off. The movie is projected to gross less than $1 million this weekend, a stark contrast to its reported $40 million budget.
This is a tough blow for both Ortega and Adams, who are eager for a box-office win. Adams, a six-time Oscar nominee, hasn't led a major hit since Arrival in 2016. Her recent resume includes streaming titles like Disenchanted and The Woman in the Window, which didn't set the world on fire. Ortega, meanwhile, is coming off the underperformers Death of a Unicorn and Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Waititi, known for Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, is also in need of a comeback. His latest effort has been panned by critics, earning a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus criticizes the film for "flattening the nuanced ideas of its acclaimed source material" and calls it "cloying and twee."
The movie is based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, which explores themes of artificial intelligence and human connection. Ishiguro's previous sci-fi adaptation, Never Let Me Go, was widely praised, making this misfire even more disappointing for fans of the book.
As the weekend unfolds, industry watchers will be keeping an eye on whether Klara and the Sun can find an audience in its limited run. But with such a weak start, it's hard to see a path to recovery. For more on this story and other box office updates, check out our coverage of the film's theater losses and other recent release struggles.
Stay tuned for more updates as the weekend box office numbers come in.
