Sally Field stars in Remarkably Bright Creatures, a gentle Netflix adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's best-selling novel. The film centres on Tova, an elderly aquarium cleaner who forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a grumpy octopus voiced by Alfred Molina. Directed by Olivia Newman, the drama explores themes of grief and loneliness in a small coastal town.
Field plays Tova, a woman still mourning the death of her son years earlier. She finds solace in her conversations with Marcellus, who hates humans but appreciates her calm presence. When a foot injury forces her to reconsider her solitude, she begins to connect with others, including Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a wannabe rocker with his own troubled past.
The film unfolds as a simple, heart-first story of broken people trying to rebuild their lives. While some subplots feel underdeveloped, Field's performance anchors the narrative, moving smoothly between comedy and drama. Molina's voiceover adds depth to the octopus character, though he disappears for stretches of the film.
Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a sweet-natured afternoon watch for older audiences, joining Netflix's lineup of gentle originals. It avoids the odd questions that surrounded the documentary My Octopus Teacher, focusing instead on a straightforward bond between a woman and a creature. The film is now streaming on Netflix.
