Remarkably Bright Creatures: A love letter to humans, those wondrous creatures

📺 The world needs this kind of kindness: Following the massive success of the best-selling novel upon its debut in 2022, Netflix has adapted American author Shelby Van Pelt's debut work into a film of the same name Remarkably Bright Creatures, starring Sally Field, Alfred Molina, and Lewis Pullman. The film proves once again exactly why the book deserved all the hype.

The plot: At an aquarium, an old octopus named Marcellus (voiced by Molina) lives a lonely life, longing for his home in the ocean before an accident leads to his rescue and placement at the facility. Marcellus narrates the film in his own words, making it clear he has no patience for dull, foolish humans — with the sole exception of Tova (Field), the aquarium's janitor. Tova radiates warmth and kindness that immediately touches all three of Marcellus's hearts.

Bonds of loneliness and loss start to form as Marcellus and Tova find they share much in common. While he feels homesick for his natural habitat, Tova is coping with the memory of her young son, who drowned long ago. Meanwhile, pure chance brings a young man named Cameron (Pullman) to their small town. Cameron lives a solitary life on the road out of his large van, but after meeting Tova, they both discover that the companionship and love they are searching for might be much closer than they think.

What we liked: From the very first frame, viewers quickly realize they are watching one of those films that will stay with them forever. The movie sheds light on the depths of loss and loneliness in human hearts and on how much a person can crave comforting companionship. The acting feels incredibly genuine across the board, even from the supporting cast. However, Field — with her charm and soulful, tender eyes — steals the show as the ultimate embodiment of maternal and grandmotherly warmth. Molina's casting as the voice of Marcellus is also brilliant, proving that a master actor needs nothing more than his voice to convey sorrow, loneliness, and even the wit of a visually rendered creature.

The film is deeply human and emotional. In a world tangled in conflict, war, and ugliness, it offers a deliberate pause to remind us that humans, despite all their flaws, can truly be beautiful creatures. Sometimes, the magic of the universe shows up in the heart of an old woman overflowing with love and light for everything around her — so much so that she befriends an octopus who would do anything for her, and a lost young man searching for the love he was missing his entire life.

The verdict: This film delivers a deeply moving experience alongside rich, unforgettable visuals. If you are looking for the perfect family movie for tonight, this is it. Our only advice is to keep some tissues handy, just in case you find yourself crying as much as we did.

WHERE TO WATCH- The film is streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:23).