REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES

(director/writer: Olivia Newman; screenwriters: John Whittington, book by Shelby Van Pelt; cinematographer: Ashley Connor; editor: Tamara Meem; music: Dickon Hinchliffe; cast: Sally Fields (Tova Sullivan), Lewis Pullman (Cameron Cassmore), Alfred Molina (voice-Marcellus), Colm Meaney (Ethan Mack, store owner), Joan Chen (Janice Kim), Kathy Baker (Mary Ann Minnetti), Beth Grant (Barb Vanderhoof), Sofia Black-D’Elia (Avery, paddleboard storeowner); Runtime: 111; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Peter Craig, David Levine, Bryan Unkeless; Netflix; 2026)

“It’s so cutesy, I could have thrown-up.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Olivia Newman (“First Match”/”Where the Crawdads Sing”) directs this cornball feel-good comedy/drama based on the best-selling novel by Shelby Van Pelt. Ms. Newman co-writes it with John Whittington.

It’s based on the relationship between a lonely New England night-shift aquarium cleaner, the elderly widow Tova Sullivan (Sally Fields), and a grumpy aging octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina, voice), who narrates the story.

The lady and octopus bond after she affectionately cares for Marcellus and he repays her kindness by helping her solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance a long-time ago.

When Tova sprains her ankle, she’s joined in the workplace by an irresponsible young man Cameron (Lewis Pullman), an aspiring to be a rock star, who takes on the temp job. Initially they clash but become closer when they realize they need to console each other over their grief.

It’s so cutesy, I could have thrown-up. Its gimmicky story is tacky and absurd.

REVIEWED ON 5/15/2026  GRADE: C
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