From the moment you read Remarkably Bright Creatures, you sense something quietly special is inside. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel emerged in 2022 as a warm story about grief, friendship, and the unexpected ways connections form.
Now, that story is stepping off the page and becoming a movie. The Netflix adaptation has wrapped production, and fans are buzzing to see how Marcellus the octopus, Tova, and the Sowell Bay Aquarium come to life!
Shelby Van Pelt, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, released Remarkably Bright Creatures in 2022. Although this is her first and only novel published to date, it has had a significant impact, as it became an instant bestseller, remained on bestseller lists for a long time, is beloved by book clubs, and is praised for its emotional depth and originality.
What makes Van Pelt’s work so compelling is how she gives voice to characters who are both familiar and quietly extraordinary. In Remarkably Bright Creatures, she balances heartbreak and hope, small kindness and big loss, with humor provided by an unlikely narrator. The result is a story that doesn’t just tell you about healing, it invites you into it.
While many debut novels take time to gain traction, Van Pelt’s first did so quickly. Remarkably Bright Creatures spent over 60 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list because readers just loved its offbeat friendship between a human and an octopus, its sense of place, and its depth of emotion.
The announcement that Netflix would adapt this novel feels apt: its themes of loneliness, unexpected friendships, and mystery pair with a cast and crew that suggest intention and care. With Olivia Newman directing the movie, big names attached, and Van Pelt herself involved as executive producer, this project looks set to capture much of what readers love.
If you haven’t yet met Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus with a sharp mind and sass, or Tova, the widow who cleans the aquarium floors at night, this adaptation promises to bring their quietly thrilling, emotionally rich world into sharp relief.
What will be the Plot of Remarkably Bright Creatures Movie?
The movie adaptation’s plot will be similar to the novel’s plot, and it won’t stray far from the heart and soul of the book. The story is so engaging that it will easily transition onto your screen, but you should still expect minor creative adjustments that the creators would have made to ensure a smooth book-to-screen transition.
Remarkably Bright Creatures centers on Tova Sullivan, a widowed woman in her seventies who works the night shift cleaning at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Her life is quiet, shaped by grief and loneliness, but also routines, memories, and the deep-sea creatures she cares for.
One of the aquarium residents, Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, is remarkably sentient. Through his perspective, we see not just Tova’s kindness and loss, but the way animals notice what humans often miss. When Marcellus begins investigating the details surrounding the disappearance of Tova’s son decades earlier, the story becomes part mystery, part healing journey.
The novel strikes a unique balance: it’s not fantasy, exactly, but it allows Marcellus’s thoughts to be expressed in ways that feel magical.
If you haven’t yet read the novel, do so right now, as you are missing out. You can check out the official synopsis of the book to know exactly what to expect when you start reading it!
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors–until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Casting & Production Updates:
Netflix is producing the adaptation, and filming has wrapped as of May 2025.
Olivia Newman is directing the upcoming adaptation, and she co-wrote the screenplay with John Whittington. Bryan Unkeless, Peter Craig, and David Levine. The author, Shelby Van Pelt, is one of the executive producers, along with other individuals, including the director and the production companies’ executive teams.
As for the cast of the movie, Sally Field will play Tova, the elderly widow. Joining her are Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, and Sofia Black-D’Elia.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Movie Release Date:
As of now, no official release date has been announced for the film adaptation on Netflix.
However, the production wrapped in May 2025, so many expect it could premiere sometime in 2026, depending on post-production and scheduling.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
The answer to this question is almost always a yes, and when it comes to this particular book, it’s a BIG YES!
If you love quiet, emotional stories, unusual perspectives, and character voice, this is the book for you, as it reveals Marcellus’s inner thoughts, Tova’s memories and personal grief, and showcases the slow build of connection that makes the novel so affecting.
When the film comes out, reading first allows you to spot what changes, what’s preserved, and how the adaptation treats the mystery and emotional weight.
The book’s small moments, such as the aquarium’s smells, the night cleaning routine, and Tova’s internal monologue, are elements that enrich the heart of the story in ways that are sometimes hard to fully replicate on screen. So, you should read the book to prepare for when the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie is finally released!
Upcoming Book Adaptations: