Remarkably Bright Creatures is now streaming on Netflix, bringing Sally Field, Lewis Pullman and Alfred Molina together in a moving drama about grief, friendship and one very clever octopus. Based on Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling novel, the film follows Tova, a widowed woman working nights at a small-town aquarium, where she forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus voiced by Molina.
Directed by Olivia Newman, the film pairs its cosy coastal setting with a story about loneliness, healing and unexpected connection. Field stars as Tova, while Pullman plays Cameron, an adrift young man whose arrival in town slowly opens up another thread of the story. Together, their lives become linked by Marcellus, whose quiet wisdom gives the film its unusual heart.
For CultureCues, this feels like one of those Netflix films built for a weekend watch, with an emotional story that is just strange enough to stand out. Sally Field befriending a philosophical octopus could easily sound whimsical on paper, but the appeal here is simple. It is about people who feel forgotten finding connection in the most unexpected place. One for the weekend watchlist.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is streaming now on Netflix.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.