'Remarkably Bright Creatures' Review
- Connor Petrey
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Release Date: 05/08/26 [Netflix]
Genre: Comedy. Drama.
MPAA: Rated PG13.
Distributor: Netflix.
The Verdict: A Must-See
Based on the novel of the same name, this remarkably bright adaptation is a sincere look at life, trauma and grief. At the core of the film is its centric element, Marcellus (Alfred Molina), the rescued elder octopus in captivity where our leads Tova (Sally Field) and Cameron (Lewis Pullman) work. Marcellus provides a narrative push for the film, anchoring the idea that these two individuals may have more hidden away than what we’re witnessing on the surface.Â
After an initially turbulent start, the characters grow into their own with an emotionally gripping third act that draws several tears by the film’s close. Searching for a mysterious father after his mother’s death, Cameron comes to the scenic town in his travels, stranded due to a breakdown. To pay for repairs, he manages to snag a job at a local museum when local Tova hurts her leg and is considering leaving her traumatic past behind.Â
His initial disinterest in Tova's ways evolves as time moves forward and their friendship blossoms. The youth versus elder portrayal comes off a little strong at the beginning, but once we witness hints of their history, the world surrounding the pair opens up.
It's a sweet tale about learning from your surroundings, opening up, and coming to terms with your circumstances. While the CGI octopus may be a bit distracting at times, Molina offers enough heart to pull all the loose threads together, with a phenomenal mystery waiting to unfold as we move our way through the trials and errors of Cameron’s search.