Review: Does the ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ Movie Live up to the Book?

I was about a year late to the Remarkably Bright Creatures hype, but the second I picked up the book, I knew it would be a five-star read. It was one of those reading experiences so immersive and addicting that, even three years later, I still remember where I was when I finished the last page. After closing it, I was left with a debilitating book hangover, a vehement promise to myself to never eat octopus, and a craving to watch the novel play out on screen.

While I’ve since found plenty of five-star reads, three years later, I’ve never touched octopus, and a Remarkably Bright Creatures adaptation finally made its way to our screens over the weekend. But after years of anticipation, does the movie tap into the touching, heartwarming energy that made us all fall in love with Marcellus, Tova, and Cameron in the first place? Ahead, my full review.

What is Remarkably Bright Creatures about?

Remarkably Bright Creatures takes place in the seaside town of Sowell Bay, where Tova Sullivan works the night shift at the aquarium. The work has helped her cope since her son, Erik, went missing on a boat over 30 years ago. There, she befriends the grumpy giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, who may hold the answers about Erik that Tova is looking for. After an ankle injury forces Tova to train the new man in town, Cameron, to step into her job, the three form an unlikely friendship, their lives intersecting in ways they never imagined.

My review of Remarkably Bright Creatures

I may consider myself an amateur cinephile, but when it comes to being a critic, I’m pretty easy to please. My tastes are expansive, and I can find something I like about almost anything I watch. However, when it comes to adaptations, I get strict. It’s a double-edged sword having a built-in fan base before release, and viewers like me comparing your work to media they already know and love. Honestly, I think I would have enjoyed Remarkably Bright Creatures more if I hadn’t read the book first. But first, let’s start with what the film did well.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is the perfect Sunday watch. It’s cozy, sweet, and won’t spike your cortisol levels with dark mysteries or murders like so many new releases do these days. The film is comforting and uplifting, despite some of its heavier themes. You’ll go to sleep welcoming a new week with a newfound, optimistic perspective on humanity—and probably weekend plans to visit your nearest aquarium.

The few changes made to the plot for the movie actually made it more enjoyable as a viewer. In the book, Tova and Cameron don’t meet until much later, and Cameron and Marcellus don’t really have a friendship of their own. Having Cameron and Tova meet earlier not only strengthened their friendship, but it also meant we got more of their hilarious shenanigans to watch, which I would never complain about. And with a character who enters as gruff as Cameron does, creating an individual friendship between him and Marcellus allows us to relate to Cameron more. It gives his character more depth and makes us more empathetic toward him, something that can quickly get axed in the name of saving time. Plus, the film is perfectly cast. Sally Field and Lewis Pullman were so charming together, and exactly how I pictured these characters in my head.

Despite all of that, comparing it to a book that lived rent-free in my head for literal years, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. My main gripe is that the emotional parts of the film felt slightly watered down. As a viewer, I always find that the more endearing parts of a book are the hardest to nail in an adaptation. What comes across as genuine and touching in text can skew cheesy in an instant, and unfortunately, that’s what I felt happened at times with Remarkably Bright Creatures. But listen, there are far worse crimes than being cheesy. It’s still an enjoyable experience and an overall satisfying adaptation. You’ll walk away thinking, Aw, that was cute. You may even recommend it to your mom the next time you talk to her on the phone. But after finishing the book, I was begging all my friends to read it next, and I didn’t feel that same passion for the movie.

Another aspect I didn’t love when translated to the screen was the ending. Without spoilers, the plot twist that felt genuinely earned in the book felt like an incredibly obvious ending in the film—one every character was conveniently ignoring until the final moment, when everything finally fell into place. Maybe I just feel this way because I knew the ending going in, but the literary breadcrumbing felt more like giant loaves leading us to the ending.

So, does the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie live up to the book?

If I had watched this movie knowing nothing about the book, I may have walked away completely satisfied. But unfortunately, I have to pull the insufferable card readers know all too well: the book is better than the movie. That’s not to say the movie is bad at all, but every aspect I enjoyed about the film, the book does even better. If you’re going into the movie completely blind, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it for what it is: a sweet Netflix watch. But while reading the book, I was imagining a spectacular theater release with a cult-classic-worthy adaptation. While I do think it’s worth your time to watch the movie if you’re in the mood, the book is definitely required reading.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Blue, Associate Editor & Book Club Co-Host

As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.

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