Sally Field, known for her role in Mrs. Doubtfire, stars in a new Netflix mystery film called Remarkably Bright Creatures that’s quickly become a hit. This week, it reached 30.7 million views, making it the second most-watched film on the platform. The movie is based on the 2022 novel of the same name by Shelby Van Pelt, which won the Writer’s Center’s McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize in 2023.
The story centers on Tova Sullivan, a widow who cleans an aquarium at night. She forms a surprising bond with a young musician and a Giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina), and together they unravel a mystery that will change their lives.
The film features a strong cast including Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, and Beth Grant, alongside stars Field, Pullman, and Molina. Olivia Newman, who previously directed Where the Crawdads Sing in 2022, also directed this film and co-wrote the script with John Whittington, who’s known for his work on The Lego Batman Movie.
Last week, the movie Remarkably Bright Creatures was the third most popular globally, racking up about 38 million hours of watch time (according to FlixPatrol). It’s now climbed to second place, but remains behind the top film, Swapped. This animated movie, about a woodland creature and a bird who switch bodies, currently has 44.8 million hours viewed.
The film has received mostly positive reviews. One IMDb reviewer called it “gorgeous” and a “modern classic,” admitting that while initially surprised by the ending, they were ultimately charmed by the movie.
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This film is almost perfect, with just one small weakness. It’s a thought-provoking story that makes you consider how life’s coincidences can highlight how easily we can lose time dwelling on hardship or misfortune.
Many readers praised the film as a good take on the original book, with some saying both the book and movie are enjoyable. One viewer specifically highlighted the actor’s excellent portrayal of the character Tova.
Interestingly, Sally Field was the inspiration for the character, as Newman explained to Tudum. Knowing Field would be delivering the lines helped Newman write dialogue that felt natural and authentic, because Field understood the character so well.
Newman also complimented Pullman’s acting, noting that he brought both wonderful humor and a relatable quality to the character of Cameron, along with excellent comedic timing.
When asked about creating the voice for an octopus – an animal that doesn’t naturally make sounds – Molina explained that he didn’t start with any set ideas. He compared it to voicing a human, where there are specific expectations to meet.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is available to stream on Netflix now.
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2026-05-20 19:19