The Vibe Shift
Listen, we’ve all been there: doomscrolling until 3 a.m. while our real lives happen in the background. Jenna Ortega is calling us out, but in the best way possible. At the world premiere of her new dystopian flick Klara and the Sun during the London Film Festival on Thursday, the star dropped a major piece of advice: it’s time to log off.
“I think we gotta put our focus on one another and put down the computers and phones,” Ortega said. “Remember to be present and to appreciate people while they’re standing right in front of you.”
The Plot Thickens
Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, the film is set in a future where genetic engineering has basically created a massive social divide. Ortega stars as Klara, an artificial android companion made for an ailing girl named Josie, played by Mia Tharia.
Don’t go expecting another “AI takes over the world” horror story, though. Ishiguro clarified that this isn't about machines turning sinister or taking over. Instead, it’s a grounded look at connection. Director Taika Waititi kept the vibes human, specifically asking Ortega to avoid robotic movements and instead play Klara with a “clumsy and unknowing” quality, almost like a toddler experiencing the world for the first time.
Star-Studded Premiere
The carpet was absolutely popping. Amy Adams, who plays Josie’s mother, joined Ortega, Waititi, and co-stars like Natasha Lyonne, Steve Buscemi, and Aran Murphy. Even Florence Pugh made a surprise appearance, serving major looks and reuniting with the cast.
Ishiguro also dropped a little easter egg for fans: he’s secretly been working on a new original script with none other than Tim Burton. No, Jenna didn’t set them up—they’re just North London neighbors hanging out in Burton’s famously wacky home.
Why it matters
In an era where AI is moving fast and taking over our feeds, Klara and the Sun is aiming to be a reminder that being a human is about more than just your screen time. The film hits theaters via Sony Pictures on October 23.
