Last weekend, Netflix released a movie adaptation of the best-selling novel Remarkably Bright Creatures: a feel-good film that artfully displays the intelligence of one of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures while telling the story of two broken individuals who seek comfort in talking to their marine friend.

The film follows Tara, played by Sally Field, and Cameron, played by Lewis Pullman, as they encounter challenges in life and slowly start to develop a friendship. Tara is a elderly widow who continues to struggle with the early death of her son, while Cameron is a 30 year-old man looking for his absentee father.

Both are at a point in their lives’ where they feel lost, without a sense of direction. Fortunately, Cameron and Tara end up finding each other at the local aquarium. There the two form an unsteady friendship and, under the watchful eye of an octopus, Marcellus, voiced by Alfred Molina, help to heal each others’ wounds.

To the delight of all those who love Shelby Van Pelt’s novel, the film-adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures is very book accurate. While some aspects of the story were cut from the film, like a more in-depth backstory for Cameron and some of the clues that led to the final reveal, the movie otherwise follows the book very closely.

Another notable highlight of the film is Sally Field’s portrayal of Tara. Field offers a compelling performance of the book character, masterly conveying the complexities of grief Tara experiences.

While the faithful adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures might not be a stand out movie of the year, the messages it conveys about grief and family make it a worthwhile and fulfilling film to watch with loved ones.

In the movie, both Cameron and Tara experience the death of loved ones prior to meeting each other. Each deals with grief in different ways looking towards their octopus friend, Marcellus, to vent their complex emotions. The movie truly captures the emotional nature of the book perfectly in this sense, conveying the internal struggle Tara and Cameron face through the dialogue and skillful acting of Sally Field and Lewis Pullman.

Slowly Tara and Cameron start to trust each other with their feelings. Opening up to each other about their grief and developing a friendship.

The movie emphasizes the concept of getting to choose your family. Cameron and Tara both believe that their family is gone, but by stressing the relationships and friendships both characters have the film is able to convey that their family is who they make it to be.

Despite the main narrative focusing on Tara and Cameron, the octopus Marcellus plays a key role in developing the messages of the story. Marcellus offers insight into the dynamics between Tara and Cameron, displaying high levels of intelligence, throughout the movie. He notes early on human faults, such as poor communication skills to draw attention to the inability of Cameron and Tara to express themselves.

Similarly to the book, Marcellus plays a significant role in the movie for developing the plot. While we don’t get whole chapters told from his perspective, we do get narration by Marcellus on his impressions of Tara and Cameron which greatly contribute to how we understand them.

Overall, while Remarkably Bright Creatures likely will not be one of the best this year, it is a great emotional movie that is sure to make you feel happy and fulfilled by the end.

If you want to learn more about octopuses like Marcellus, then check out the infographic below!