Netflix's #2 Movie With 90% on RT Is the Most Life-Affirming Drama of the Year

Netflix has released the heartwarming drama Remarkably Bright Creatures, directed by Olivia Newman, who also directed Where the Crawdads Sing.

At the heart of the story is a Pacific octopus that observes and comments on human behavior and it is perhaps the most life-affirming drama of the year.

What Is 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' About?

Tova lives in a coastal town and works as a cleaner at an aquarium. Her answering machine reminds her to give an answer to a nursing home. Her late husband put them on the waiting list long ago, but Tova doubts that she wants to leave her home and friends.

She prefers spending time with Marcellus, a giant octopus. The sea creature listens as she complains about life and opens up. Many years ago, Tova lost her teenage son, an event from which she never recovered.

A down-on-his-luck musician named Cameron comes to town, hoping to find his father. He gets a part-time job at the aquarium and becomes Tova's colleague.

'Remarkably Bright Creatures' Employs the Simple Device of an Animal Narrator, and It Works Remarkably Well

Remarkably Bright Creatures opens with a voiceover by Marcellus, the elderly octopus who narrates the events throughout the movie. This simple yet elegant technique allows viewers to quickly immerse themselves in the story.

The wise animal dislikes humans, except for Tova. Like a magician, Marcellus senses the cleaning lady's broken heart and realizes that Cameron can help her overcome her pain.

The octopus attempts to bring the two lonely souls together. Although the fantasy element may be disconcerting at first, we are ultimately left to accept the unfolding events and revel in the magic.

'Remarkably Bright Creatures' Is a Deliberately Predictable Movie That Heals the Soul

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a standard movie about the friendship between humans and animals. We've seen films before about dogs, cats, and other creatures bonding with humans, and Netflix's new flick easily fits into that genre.

However, Newman emphasizes something else, focusing on the relationship between Tova and Cameron – Marcellus remains in the background, serving as the narrator.

The cleaning lady's warm bond with the octopus isn't the central theme. The director primarily reflects on grief and the need to share inner pain with others.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a heartwarming movie that deliberately follows a predictable path. Without reaching for cinematic laurels, the filmmakers know how to touch the audience.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'?

• Remarkably Bright Creatures has 81% from critics and 90% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.8/10.

• On Letterboxd, Remarkably Bright Creatures scored 3.8/5.0.