Get The Tissues for Remarkably Bright Creatures

Rare in the days of franchise sequels and indie horror films that dominate the screen in 2026, Netflix’s latest original release, Remarkably Bright Creatures, is a feel-good family movie that leaves nothing to be desired except tissues. Starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman as two cleaners at a small-town aquarium, Remarkably Bright Creatures reminds viewers that humans are social animals whose strength comes not from our intelligence or our opposable thumbs, but from each other.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is narrated by an aging octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina), who longs to be free. All day, Marcellus sits in a tank being ogled by children until the night time when he gets to hang with his favorite human, cleaning lady Tova (Field). She’s his favorite human, and seemingly smarter than the rest – if only she would get out of her own way! One day, while thwarting another escape attempt by Marcellus, Tova sprains her ankle and has to find a quick replacement for her job at the aquarium. Luckily, her friend at the general store refers her to Cameron (Pullman), a young man in search of his deadbeat dad whose car breaks down in Sowell Bay. Over the course of the film, the two characters connect with each other, all under the eye of the watchful octopus.

Though Remarkably Bright Creatures is a film about the unlikely connection between Tova and Cameron, it’s also a film about their separate journeys. Throughout the story, Tova copes with memories of her son and husband’s deaths and her impending decision to move into a retirement community away from her friends. Meanwhile, Cameron searches for his dad as he deals with the collapse of his band, finds the confidence to be earnest and honest in his search for love, and finds out that through the connection of his missing dad, he and Tova might not be such strangers after all. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures is not a racially diverse film, with a mostly white cast. However, it is also a rare film that stars an older woman as a fully fleshed out character. While Tova is certainly a stereotypical old lady with her knitting circle and inability to use an iPhone, she is not defined by her age. She is three dimensional, defined by her wry humor, her friendships, her respected position in the community, and her unique relationship with Marcellus. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a film that flourishes with its likable, complex, and funny characters, and it certainly isn’t one you’ll want to miss.