Director Olivia Newman’s adaptation of the bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt is now streaming.
What do an octopus, an Oscar winner, and a blockbuster star have in common? Look no further than Olivia Newman’s adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures, the debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt that spent more than 64 weeks on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, and more than 30 weeks and counting on the trade paperback fiction bestseller list. Newman’s widely anticipated film, starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman, is now streaming.

What is Remarkably Bright Creatures about?

A widow who works at a local aquarium finds joy again when she forms unlikely bonds with a giant Pacific octopus and a wayward young man who comes to town in search of family. Together, they uncover a mystery that will lead them to a life-changing discovery and restore their sense of wonder.

Colm Meaney as Ethan and Sally Field as Tova sit across from each other at a rustic wooden picnic table outdoors, smiling and enjoying hot drinks with a serene lake and forested mountains in the background.

Who’s in the cast of Remarkably Bright Creatures?

Two-time Academy Award–winning actor Field (Lincoln, Forrest Gump) will play the widow Tova, with Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick, Lessons in Chemistry) as the new-in-town Cameron. Alfred Molina voices the curmudgeonly octopus, Marcellus. Also in the cast:

  • Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Bring Them Down)
  • Joan Chen (Dìdi, The Wedding Banquet)
  • Kathy Baker (The Ranch, Edward Scissorhands)
  • Beth Grant (Little Miss Sunshine, No Country for Old Men)
  • Sofia Black-D’Elia (Single Drunk Female, The Night Of)
Lewis Pullman as Cameron and Sally Field as Tova stand together indoors in a colorfully decorated room with artistic bubble-like light fixtures and blue-toned walls, both smiling gently at the camera.

Who else is involved in Remarkably Bright Creatures?

Director Newman (Where the Crawdads Sing) co-wrote the script with John Whittington (Sonic the Hedgehog 3). Bryan Unkeless and Peter Craig produce for Night Owl, alongside Anonymous Content’s David Levine. Night Owl’s Alyssa Rodrigues, Anonymous Content’s Tony Lipp, Erika Hampson, Alisa Tager, Newman, and author Van Pelt executive produce.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is now streaming on Netflix.

Sally Field as Tova sitting alone on a bench at the end of a dock overlooking a calm lake, surrounded by forests and mountains under a cloudy sky, with a lamppost beside them and houses visible along the shoreline.