Netflix's Heartwarming Drama Is Like A Warm Hug

In over 100 years of its existence, Hollywood has put out many, many movies about the human experience, looking at love, family and grief through a variety of lenses. While Remarkably Bright Creatures is yet another such film, what sets it apart is the unique framing of its story – namely, using a giant Pacific octopus as the movie’s narrator.

The story of Remarkably Bright Creatures is told, in part, through the point-of-view of Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), an octopus held captive in the Sowell Bay Aquarium where Tova Sullivan (Sally Field) works as the cleaning lady. When Cameron (Lewis Pullman) arrives in town and takes a job at the aquarium, the incredibly intelligent Marcellus endeavors to help both humans navigate their grief and create better lives for themselves.

The result is a quirky, deeply heartfelt film that explores the scars left by grief and unresolved conflicts, and how important it is for people to accept help – from their family and friends, but also, occasionally, a super smart octopus – in order to move forward. Directed by Olivia Newman (Where The Crawdads Sing), and co-written by Newman and John Whittington (Sonic the Hedgehog 3), Remarkably Bright Creatures takes Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 book and brings it to life in a stunning, emotionally resonant film.

As with any movie focused on the human experience, the cast is instrumental, and the actors in Remarkably Bright Creatures do an excellent job of selling the magical realism of its story by grounding it in real emotion. They come together to make this world feel lived-in, giving all the characters, from Tova and Cameron to their friends and acquaintances, rich backstories that work to make them feel real.

Still, the film is anchored especially by Field’s Tova and Pullman’s Cameron, who are enough of an oddball pairing to be immediately interesting. The actors bounce off each other well, with Field playing the grumpy, reclusive Tova to perfection, contrasting her detached persona with the character’s bone-deep grief.

Meanwhile, Pullman is endlessly charming and likable as Cameron, even when he makes questionable life choices. The characters are each a mess in their own way, and the actors’ performances make for a compelling watch as Tova and Cameron help each other heal and move forward.

Molina brings a gravitas and an eccentric personality to Marcellus that makes him a delight to watch…

But the scene-stealer in Remarkably Bright Creatures, which may or may not come as a surprise, is Molina’s Marcellus. The octopus, rendered through realistic CGI, is as well-developed a character as Tova and Cameron, complete with his own journey. Molina brings a gravitas and an eccentric personality to Marcellus that makes him a delight to watch and listen to while on screen.

Sally Field As Tova Teaching Lewis Pullman As Cameron How To Clean In Remarkably Bright Creatures

While there are explorations of difficult topics in Remarkably Bright Creatures, the movie is ultimately about the good in people, and how human connection can lead to a fulfilling life. As such, it wouldn’t be surprising for the film to wring a few (or a lot of) tears from its viewers, with its themes of resilience and recovering from devastating grief.

But Newman and Whittington’s script balances the darker moments of the movie’s story with plenty of levity, helped along by Remarkably Bright Creatures‘ idiosyncratic octopus narrator. Through Newman’s direction, audiences get an intimate look into the lives of the film’s characters, bringing the world of this small Pacific northwest town to life with stunning clarity. Although some of the strength of the movie undoubtedly comes from Van Pelt’s original book, Newman is able to bring all the elements of the story and characters together into a cohesive and enjoyable film.

In the end, Remarkably Bright Creatures is an excellent film for anyone looking for something heartwarming and cozy to watch. The cast elevates an already strong script, and the premise of a sentient octopus narrating the events of the film gives it a sweetly peculiar way to differentiate itself from the myriad of similar movies. While it doesn’t completely stand out from the rest of the pack, Remarkably Bright Creatures is compelling enough to be worth a watch.