Remarkably Bright Creatures is a new film arriving on Netflix on May 8. Directed by Olivia Newman and co-written by Newman and John Whittington, the film is adapted from Shelby Van Pelt’s novel of the same name. It features an ensemble cast including Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Colm Meaney, and Alfred Molina.

A lonely elderly widow named Tova forms an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly cephalopod octopus named Marcellus, but unbeknownst to her, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery.

My wife keeps telling me I should read the novel before watching the film so I can better assess in my reviews what it gets right. I’ve been meaning to, and after watching this one, I think it’s finally time to follow through. Remarkably Bright Creatures takes what could easily have been stretched into a mini-series and instead shapes it into a focused, uplifting, and detail-rich film—something we don’t see often anymore. Mark my words: audiences are going to connect with this. It may well end up being one of the standout films of the year.

Casting Sally Field in this is something I never knew I needed. I’ve often associated her with supporting roles, but in the lead here she delivers not only one of the best performances of the year, but arguably the strongest of her career. She is truly remarkable (pun intended). What’s especially striking is that the author herself envisioned Field in the role, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing the same presence to the character. She imbues the performance with such warmth and empathy that you can’t help but root for her every step of the way. There’s a lived-in authenticity to her portrayal that makes the character feel genuinely real—and deeply worth caring about.

Opposite her is Lewis Pullman, an actor I’ve consistently enjoyed. While he bears a strong resemblance to his father, he’s steadily carving out his own presence across every project he joins. After the film establishes Field’s character, it takes a bit of time to adjust to Pullman’s. He’s strong in the supporting role, but the direction initially frames his character as quite cold and distant, which can make him harder to immediately connect with. Over time, though, that distance feels intentional rather than a shortcoming, even if it takes a while to settle into.

On the surface, the film does feel long, running close to two hours. There are moments that seem like natural episode breaks—points where, in a mini-series format, the story might pause and invite you into the next installment. Instead, it becomes clear that the film is intentionally structured to be rich in detail, from its character work to its sense of place. Small touches throughout reward close attention and even benefit from repeat viewings. It’s the kind of film you’re just as happy recommending as you are revisiting alongside someone seeing it for the first time.

The film seems to have a lot of various subplots that intertwine within one another as the film goes on, but the third act is where everything is revealed, delivering a heartfelt & touching conclusion. It makes you look at everything that came before from a completely different perspective.

As for the rest of the cast, everyone gives it their all. Alfred Molina is an inspired choice as the voice of Marcellus the octopus, bringing real heart and warmth to the character. It’s also a pleasure to see Colm Meaney in something fresh, adding another layer of depth to the ensemble. Overall, it feels like Olivia Newman has a strong, intuitive understanding of the source material and a clear sense of how to bring out the best in her cast.

There’s a lot of heart in this film. It balances humor and emotion beautifully, and more than a few moments genuinely moved me to tears. I don’t want to give too much away, especially since some of its impact came from how unexpectedly it landed. I tend to avoid overhyping things because I’d rather people go in with an open mind. My hope is that others experience it the same way I did—and find themselves just as surprised by how deeply it resonates.

Overall, Remarkably Bright Creatures lives up to its title. It stands out as one of the year’s best films—a reminder of the kind of storytelling we don’t often see anymore. Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, and Alfred Molina are each perfectly cast in their respective roles, delivering performances that feel both grounded and memorable. I’m eager to see how audiences respond to it. This feels like a film that will resonate deeply and leave a lasting impression for many people.

VREDICT: 4.5/5 – Amazing