Netflix has released a new film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” a story centered on themes of loss, friendship, and healing in a small Pacific Northwest town. Directed by Olivia Newman, who co-wrote the screenplay with John Whittington, the film is now available for streaming.

Set primarily around a local aquarium, the narrative follows Tova, a 70-year-old widow portrayed by Sally Field, who cleans the facility at night. Tova is a reserved figure, shaped by the loss of her husband and the unresolved disappearance of her son, which continues to haunt her. Her only confidant is Marcellus, a wise and somewhat cranky octopus voiced by Alfred Molina, who serves as the story’s unique narrator, speaking directly to the audience though he remains silent to the human characters.

When Tova suffers an injury, her job is temporarily assigned to Cameron, played by Lewis Pullman. Cameron is a younger man grappling with his own troubled past, having come to the town searching for his estranged father after the recent death of his mother. A struggling musician living out of a camper van, Cameron’s arrival introduces a new dynamic to the otherwise close-knit community.

The film explores the development of an unlikely friendship between Tova and Cameron, both seeking closure and connection amid their grief. While some elements of their relationship may stretch plausibility, the performances by Field and Pullman ground the story, offering a heartfelt portrayal of healing and companionship.

The supporting cast includes Colm Meaney as a friendly ex-Deadhead shopkeeper, alongside Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, and Beth Grant in smaller roles reflecting the eccentricities of small-town life. Although some of these characters are underutilized or somewhat clichéd, they contribute to the film’s depiction of a tightly woven community.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” unfolds at a deliberate pace, balancing moments of whimsy—largely through Marcellus’s narration—with emotional depth. While the film’s visuals are modest and do not stray far from standard literary adaptations, Newman’s direction is noted as more assured than her previous work, including the similar adaptation “Where the Crawdads Sing.”

Running 113 minutes and rated PG-13 for thematic material, strong language, suggestive references, and brief drug use, the film offers a straightforward, emotionally resonant experience. It aims to connect with viewers through its sincere storytelling and the quiet journey of its protagonists as they confront loss and rediscover hope.