Olivia Newman (Where the Crawdads Sing, First Match) directs this script she co-wrote with John Whittington adapting Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 novel of the same name about Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), an elderly cleaning lady at an aquarium in Sowell Bay, Washington. Her best friend is Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), an arrogant and dismissive octopus. When she injures her leg and a drifter named Cameron (Lewis Pullman) ends up stuck in town with a van in need of expensive repairs, he subs for Tova to make money. As they interact, their pasts and families are slowly revealed. (111 min.)
Remarkably Bright Creatures
What’s it rated? PG-13
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Netflix
Glen: Sally Field is a national treasure, and Lewis Pullman—son of veteran actor Bill Pullman—exudes the same soulful hang-doggedness as his father. They’re both perfectly cast as people carrying pain. Tova has experienced loss and has a prickly demeanor because of it, and Cameron has a chip on his shoulder, feeling abandoned by his parents. He’s in town searching for his father not because he hopes to have a relationship but because he feels his father owes him 18 years of child support and he wants his money. At first, they rub each other the wrong way. Tova would rather talk to an octopus than connect with the townsfolk. She’s also very judgmental of the job Cameron’s doing as her replacement. But maybe, just maybe, they have lessons for one another to learn.
Anna: Tova is struggling with the thought of a loss of independence. She’s in the house her father built, but stairways and repairs aren’t agreeing with her age. Filmed in Vancouver but set in Washington’s Puget Sound, this charming seaside town is idyllic but not great for someone who just wants to be left alone. Tova has a group of friends, the “Knitwits,” who seem to not take their knitting as seriously as they do their gossip, which Tova has no interest in. Except, that is, when she’s talking to Marcellus, who has a fondness for her too. This is a really sweet story, and both Field and Pullman are so endearing in their roles. It may burst from the seams with sap, but we all need a little sweetness in this bitter world, so I’ll take it where I can. It’s like watching Free Willy and knowing that there is no Keiko suffering on the other side of the camera. We get all the joy and none of the latent guilt of animal flicks of yore.
Glen: I have to say, the octopus CGI is incredible. They based Marcellus on Agnetha, a real giant Pacific octopus residing in the Vancouver Aquarium. A visual effects team filmed Agnetha doing various activities, and the real-life footage is seamlessly interchanged with CGI. When we visited the Central Coast Aquarium at Avila Beach a few years ago, they had a giant Pacific octopus, and we were told they return them to the ocean after a year or so because they’re as intelligent as a human 4-year-old and get bored in their tank. Part of the story is about Marcellus growing old and knowing, like Tova, his time on earth is growing shorter. Anyone want to guess his outcome? This is a sweet crowd pleaser. Loved it.
Anna: I’ve heard the book is a great read as well. Instead of distracting, the CGI is impressive. The townspeople are endearing; the setting is brimming with Pacific Northwest charm. Instead of overstuffing the characters with charm, both Field and Pullman come about it naturally, even with Tova’s and Cameron’s prickly nature. Each needs the other to show them how to heal, and to grow—and Marcellus is the glue that finally cements them together. His journey is theirs, and vice versa. I loved it. It’ll be in my feel-good movie rotation for sure.
New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in May 21 – May 28, 2026.