Published May 30, 2026
By GRACE GRAHL
A story about an emotionally unavailable old woman, a man on the edge of a mid-life crisis and an intellectually superior octopus shouldn’t be endearing or make audiences want to bawl their eyes out, yet Olivia Newman’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a diamond in the rough with its mix of witty humor and soulful storyline, managing to also stay in line with Shelby Van Pelt’s hit novel.
Set in the fictional town of Sowell Bay in the Pacific Northwest, Tova Sullivan (Sally Field) shuffles through life, shutting all of her previous friends out and considering moving into assisted living after the death of her husband. Her only comfort is talking to the animals in the aquarium she cleans, especially the octopus Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina). After she suffers a fall and sprains her ankle, Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a failing musician living in his van, serves as her replacement and reluctantly takes over for her. As Tova and Cameron work together and discover why he’s arrived in Sowell Bay, secrets are revealed and a mysterious adventure unfolds for the duo.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is a heart-warming film set in the beautiful region of the Pacific Northwest. Courtesy of NETFLIX
From teaching Cameron the “right way to do things” to driving over 50 miles to help him find his long lost dad, Field and Pullman’s chemistry creates a bond that Tova and Cameron build off of. By the end of the movie, which coincides with the original novel point blank, they have built a lasting bond, which creates the foundation for the final secret as it’s revealed.
Every character is lovable, from the over-friendly shopkeeper Ethan Mack (Colm Meaney) to the socially aware octopus who narrates much of the story. Even Cameron, whose life is going off the rails, is endearing with his love for rock bands and witty humor that brings laughter after every sad scene.
Although this movie might sound perfect, there are a few issues that are difficult to get past such as Tova’s complicated emotions. After years of loss, it’s understandable that she is guarded within her relationships. However, she precariously balances between the borderline of emotionally wary and downright rude. Some of her interactions with characters, such as Cameron and Ethan, makes the audience feel like they walked in on two enemies rather than people just having a regular conversation. While it may all be part of her character development, some awkward scenes make the audience want to plug their ears.
Although “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is nowhere near the cinematic level of other blockbusters, it’s still a great watch, feeling like a warm cup of tea and a hug after being out in the rain. Its accuracy to the book is also something to be marveled at, as many recent adaptations stray farther than necessary. No movie is perfect, but this aquatic comforting experience comes close.
9/10
