REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES (NETFLIX) (2026)

SYNOPSIS: Based on the bestselling phenomenon by Shelby Van Pelt comes the story of Tova, a widow who forms an unlikely friendship with the curmudgeonly Marcellus — a giant pacific octopus that lives at the aquarium where she works. Unbeknownst to Tova, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery. 

MOVIE REVIEW:

Unlike Paul the Octopus, which famously predicted the results of the 2010 World Cup, Marcellus earnestly voiced by Alfred Molina is a world-weary giant octopus trapped in an aquarium. Yet he is just as concerned about the well-being of Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), the night-shift cleaner at a Pacific Northwest aquarium, as he is about escaping from his tank.

Like many warm-hearted but fiercely independent aunties, Tova is a widow living alone in her cozy log cabin following the deaths of her husband and only son decades earlier. Although she has the companionship of close friends, Janice (Joan Chen), Mary Ann (Kathy Baker), Barb (Beth Grant) and local grocery store owner Ethan (Colm Meaney), Tova prefers solitude. That changes when a stranger named Cameron (Lewis Pullman) arrives in town in a beat-up camper van.

A struggling guitarist searching for his long-lost father, Cameron is desperate for cash and temporarily takes over Tova’s cleaning duties after she injures her ankle. So how do two lost souls and a wise octopus become intertwined in this story adapted from the novel by Shelby Van Pelt?

As smooth and comforting as Molina’s voice performance may be, it is not the photo-realistic CGI octopus that steals the show, but rather veteran actress Sally Field, who becomes the heart and soul of Remarkably Bright Creatures. Field portrays Tova as a gentle and sympathetic elderly woman on the surface, yet one still emotionally trapped in the past, haunted by the unexplained death of her beloved son, Erik. Whether in leading roles or smaller supporting turns in films such as Lincoln and The Amazing Spider-Man, Field has always been a dependable screen presence. At 79, she continues to shine here with a flawless and deeply poignant performance.

Remarkably Smart Creatures remains mostly grounded despite featuring a highly intelligent octopus sneaking out of his tank at night. Director and co-writer Olivia Newman (Where the Crawdads Sing) wisely knows where to draw the line, dedicating much of the film’s runtime to building the touching relationship between Tova and Cameron. Their dynamic carries shades of Driving Miss Daisy and Green Book, albeit with a much younger companion figure. Meanwhile, Ethan and Tova’s group of friends appear intermittently, mainly providing moments of comic relief.

Pullman also deserves praise for delivering a humble and believable performance as a young man adrift in life. It is almost amusing how closely he resembles his father, actor Bill Pullman making it feel like a missed opportunity not to include him in a cameo appearance.

At its core, Remarkably Smart Creatures is a heartfelt story about grief, family, loneliness, and love. Marcellus may be the “remarkably smart creature” of the title, but his true role is to remind the humans around him of what really matters. In the end, this is one of those rare Netflix original productions that feels genuinely sincere and emotionally moving, making it a perfect watch for Mother’s Day.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee