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Netflix’s adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures turns an unlikely friendship at a local aquarium into a warm exploration of grief, trust and chosen family.
Based on Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling novel, the film follows Tara, an elderly widow played by Sally Field, and Cameron, a 30-year-old man played by Lewis Pullman. Tara is still mourning the early death of her son, while Cameron is searching for the father who abandoned him.
Both feel directionless when their lives intersect at the aquarium. Their hesitant friendship develops under the observant eye of Marcellus, an unusually perceptive octopus voiced by Alfred Molina. As Tara and Cameron begin confiding in each other, their connection helps them confront old emotional wounds.
The adaptation remains notably faithful to the book. It trims parts of Cameron’s backstory and omits some clues leading to the final revelation, but otherwise follows the novel closely. Marcellus no longer receives entire chapters from his perspective, yet his narration still shapes the audience’s understanding of the two central characters.
Field delivers the film’s standout performance, capturing the layered grief Tara carries without losing the story’s gentler, hopeful tone. Pullman’s performance likewise communicates Cameron’s struggle to speak openly about loss.
Marcellus is more than a charming observer. His remarks about human shortcomings, including poor communication, highlight Tara and Cameron’s difficulty expressing what they feel. His intelligence also helps move the plot forward as the pair gradually learn to trust one another.
The film’s central idea is that family can extend beyond blood relationships. Tara and Cameron initially believe the families they long for are gone, but their growing friendship—and their other personal connections—offers them a chance to build something new.
Remarkably Bright Creatures may not rank among the year’s most distinctive films, but its compassionate treatment of grief and belonging makes it an emotionally satisfying watch.