What Is ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ About?

At its core, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story about grief, connection, and the unexpected ways people and creatures can find their way back to each other.

The film follows Tova, a widowed woman working at a local aquarium, whose routine life takes a turn when she forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus. At the same time, a young man named Cameron arrives in town searching for answers about his family, and the two stories begin to intertwine.

And yes, the octopus may well be the sharpest character in the whole thing.

Cast, Characters, and Why Sally Field Said Yes

Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field (Norma Rae, Mrs. Doubtfire, Lincoln) leads the film as Tova, bringing her usual grounded warmth to a character shaped by years of loss. Speaking to People earlier this year, Field explained how quickly the material clicked with her after producer Bryan Unkeless handed her an early copy of the novel before publication.

“I read four chapters and said, ‘Yes, we need to get this,’ ” Field said. She also spoke about what drew her to the story, calling it “surprising and life-affirming,” and describing it as “an homage to life, to creatures, and the connection that human beings have to creatures.”

Field added, “We worked on it relentlessly just to get that screenplay. Even when we were shooting we were constantly noodling and fixing and letting it breathe and have its own existence outside of the  book. It was a long journey.”

She stars opposite Lewis Pullman (Thunderbolts, Top Gun: Maverick), who plays Cameron, a wayward young man in search of family. Field had high praise for her co-star too, telling People, “I had read with a couple of other young actors, but the minute Lewis walked in, the minute I saw him, I just knew here he is.”

She continued, “Not only is he just a dazzlingly wonderful actor and funny and talented in every way … to me, he just was this character.”

Voicing Marcellus is Alfred Molina, whose voice sounds like a very good fit for a character who appears to be equal parts grumpy observer, quiet detective, and scene-stealer.

The supporting cast includes Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, and Sofia Black-D’Elia.

The Creative Team Behind the Film

Behind the camera, Olivia Newman directs and co-writes the screenplay with John Whittington (The Lego Batman Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 3). Newman previously helmed 2022’s Where the Crawdads Sing, another adaptation of a much-loved bestselling novel, and her credits also include the 2018 drama First Match as well as episodes of series such as The Last Thing He Told Me and Chicago Fire.

The film is produced by Bryan Unkeless and Peter Craig, with Van Pelt among the executive producers.

From Beloved Novel to Screen

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel struck a chord with readers, spending more than 64 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and building a loyal following thanks to its mix of emotional drama, gentle mystery, and offbeat charm.

One of the  book’s most distinctive features is Marcellus himself, whose perspective helped make the novel stand out. The trailer suggests that same spirit has carried across to the screen. There’s also a strong emphasis on tone here. Rather than pushing things too far into fantasy, the film appears to keep its feet on the ground, using its unusual central friendship to tell a more human story about loneliness, second chances, and finding connection in unexpected places.

Release Date

Remarkably Bright Creatures will begin streaming on Netflix on May 8.