‘Klara and the Sun’ Starring Jenna Ortega Arrives This Fall—See Kazuo Ishiguro’s Other Book-to-Film Adaptations
The beloved 2021 novel becomes a star-studded film—plus more Ishiguro stories brought to screen
Key Takeaways
- 'Klara and the Sun' hits theaters on October 23 starring Jenna Ortega.
- The film is based on the 2021 book by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro.
- Read about the other books by Ishiguro that have been adapted into films.
Japanese-British writer Kazuo Ishiguro has penned some of the most influential bodies of work of the last 50 years. So significant are his novels that the 71-year-old author won the Nobel Prize in Literature back in 2017. While his words on page are gripping enough, several of his works have been adapted for the screen over the years—and his 2021 novel Klara and the Sun will soon receive the same treatment. On October 23, Ishiguro’s dystopian science fiction story will hit the big screen with a star-studded cast led by Jenna Ortega, Aran Murphy, Amy Adams and Mia Tharia. Here, read all about the new book-to-screen adaptation, and take a look at some of his previous novels that have been turned into films.
‘Klara and the Sun’ tells a hopeful story
On October 23, Jenna Ortega brings Klara to life. In a world where Artificial Friends are available for purchase as human companions, Klara wants nothing more than to find the perfect home outside of the store she spends her days in. Despite being an outdated model, when Josie (Mia Tharia) comes to shop one day with her mother (Amy Adams), she’s drawn to Klara and takes her home. Despite the hesitation of Josie’s mother, Klara brings an unexpected light into the home and proves she’ll go to the ends of the earth to help Josie. If Klara and the Sun has you ready to head to your local theater, revisit some other Ishiguro-inspired films!
‘The Remains of the Day’ (1993)
Based on Ishiguro’s 1989 novel, The Remains of the Day follows Anthony Hopkins as James Stevens, who spent much of his life working as a devoted servant to Lord Darlington (James Fox). Despite Lord Darlington’s sympathy toward the Nazi cause, Stevens remained blindly loyal to his employer, believing him to be the epitome of success and greatness. Decades after Lord Darlington’s death, after Stevens devoted himself entirely to his professional career, he seeks out Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), a housekeeper he worked alongside, which leads him to an intense realization about the life he led. Watch it on Tubi, The Roku Channel or Hulu.
‘Never Let Me Go’ (2010)
Based on Ishiguro’s 2005 novel, Never Let Me Go follows three friends who spent their youth at Hailsham, a boarding school in which they were isolated from the real world. As they grow older, tension, jealousy and complex emotions color their relationships as their time together runs out leading to their dismal predetermined fate. Rent it on YouTube or Prime Video.
‘A Pale View of the Hills’ (2025)
Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel, A Pale View of the Hills, was brought to life on screen in 2025. The story takes place across different timelines: post-war Nagasaki and 1980s England. At the heart of the story is Etsuko, who, in the 1980s, is grappling with the recent suicide of her daughter, Keiko. Throughout the film, she shares the story of her life back in Japan with her younger daughter, Niki, with a central character in the tale of her past being Sachiko, a woman who forms a relationship with an American soldier, with a story that mirrors Etsuko’s. The film is currently unavailable to stream or rent in the United States.
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