Greetings again from the darkness. You likely know that an octopus has eight limbs (the name is a giveaway). Did you also know they have nine brains and three hearts? Anything else you need to know about the species, at least for this movie, will be explained by Marcellus (voiced by Albert Molina), the main attraction at the aquarium where much of this story takes place. Most every book club had the 2022 best-selling debut novel from Shelby Van Pelt on its agenda, and now writer-director Olivia Newman (WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, 2022) and co-writer John Whittington have adapted it for the big screen.
Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field (yes, we still like her) stars as Tova, the aging cleaning lady at the Aquarium where Marcellus lives. In addition to her obsessive cleaning rituals, Tova spends quite a bit of time talking about her life to Marcellus through the glass. Thanks to Mr. Molina’s narration, we hear how the oft-grumpy Marcellus reacts to each new personal disclosure. Circumstances are such that Cameron (Lewis Pullman, Bill’s son) is stuck in town and takes Tova’s job after she is injured. It’s at this point where we figure out we have a three-character tale of life’s bumpy trail.
Tova and Cameron are carrying grief from personal losses, while each is juggling decisions about where the next step in life should take them. Tova must decide soon on an open spot at a nearby retirement home, while Cameron’s dream of being a rock star is on hold while he searches for the rich dad he’s never met … the one who deserted Cameron’s mother while she was pregnant. Marcellus knows he is approaching the end and he only wishes to return to the peaceful sea. He has the best line from the film, “Oh how I miss the quiet.”
We watch, often through Marcellus’ perspective, as Tova and Cameron learn to coexist. She mentors the man-child on doing things the ‘right’ way, and they both deal with town locals. Tova’s group of friends known as the “Knit-wits” (Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant) try to be supportive, but seem a tad out of touch with her true feelings. Cameron is attracted to local paddle board store owner Avery (Sofia Black D’Elia, “Your Honor”) – at least until his immaturity rears up yet again. All of this runs through Ethan (the always great Colm Meaney), the town’s eyes and ears … other than Marcellus, of course.
This is an easy-to-watch heartwarming story of redemption and salvation, and a reminder of how others impact us, and we impact others. Marcellus is surely the most opinionated and judgmental octopus we’ve been exposed to. He’s also not totally honest with himself as he describes humans as “a dull species”, while also trying to help those he’s become fond of. Shared loneliness and grief can be somewhat muted via the healing power of connection, and there is a certain satisfaction in watching that come to pass.
Begins streaming on Netflix on May 8, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. The first feature film from writer-director Sophy Romvari has been well received on the festival circuit, and it’s easy to see why so many have been drawn in by this Canadian- Hungarian production. It’s a deeply personal film with autobiographical elements from the filmmaker. The best family dramas often deliver a gut-punch, and this one certainly does … yet it’s the storytelling structure that provides hope for future gems like this.
Greetings again from the darkness. Thoreau famously wrote, “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.” That quote may overstate the being of the staff at The Grand, a 100-year-old hotel that once provided service for royalty, but now the seaside inn is crumbling at the seams and desperate for guests. The feature film directorial debut from writer-director Harry Sherriff and co-written by Laurence Tratalos is quite a pleasant surprise.
Greetings again from the darkness. The concept of ‘normal behavior’ seems quite elusive these days, but clearly the uncontrollable ticks and inappropriate (for proper society) verbal outbursts of Tourette Syndrome add to life’s complexities. Writer-director Kirk Jones (WAKING NED DEVINE, 1998) takes on the true story of John Davidson, whose actions prove role models come in many forms. Although the film doesn’t dig too deeply, it benefits from the real-life actions of one man and a couple of excellent lead performances … plus the always welcome presence of two beloved character actors.
Greetings again from the darkness. Memorable movies need not have a huge budget or special effects. All that’s needed is an interesting story and characters we care about. Screenwriter Robert Machoian (the excellent THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS, 2020) fully understands this, while Cole Webley’s feature film directorial debut (after many shorts and videos) transitions the story to the big screen in a way that leaves us emotionally drained. It’s one of the obligatory ‘tough watches’ that plays the festival circuit – only this one is extremely well written, directed, and acted.
Greetings again from the darkness. Learning that Lou’s life is a bit of a mess becomes clear in the first few opening scenes. It’s early morning and she sneaks out after a one-night stand, noticing missed calls from Steve, her ex that she’s living with temporarily (along with his new partner). Soon, she’s dumped by her agent and is adamant that she won’t fly home to see her dad, despite holding the ticket he purchased for her. This is the feature film directorial debut from Timothy David, and the screenplay comes from Sally Gifford, who also has a small role in the film.
Greetings again from the darkness. Relationships require communication, diligence, and a bit of luck. Director Chloe Robichaud (SARAH PREFERS TO RUN, 2016) is working from a script from playwright Catherine Leger to deliver a remake of the 1970 French sex comedy, DEUX FEMMES EN OR from Claude Fournier. Finding humor in strained or crumbling relationships is never easy – especially when medication or a newborn is involved.
Greetings again from the darkness. The popularity and staying power of Karaoke shows just how much we enjoy singing. Even for those with crippling stage fright, singing in the shower can provide a bit of joy. But what about those with real talent? There is only so much room for the Adeles and Ed Sheerans of the world. Co-directors Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen take us inside the world of collegiate a cappella (singing without instrumentation). Now, you are likely to immediately think of either church choir, barbershop quartets, or Pentatonix … all fine singing choices, yet all a bit different than what the film documents.
Greetings again from the darkness. Perhaps we can all agree that hiking is not best served as a spectator sport. Sure, there have been other hiking movies, including WILD (2014) as Cheryl Strayed (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon) takes on a solo hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Yet almost by definition, a hike is meant, at a minimum, to help clear one’s head and, at its best, allow a connection with nature as one tries to center themselves from the stress of life. Writer-director Bart Schrivjer w-d (not his first hiking movie) has seemingly captured these elements of hiking better than others.
It’s possible, even likely, that I’ve been more surprised by a book than I was by this latest from Joe Pappalardo (a freelance journalist and critically acclaimed author), but I don’t recall when or by what book. While it’s understandable that many readers would initially muster little interest in a true story that took place 99 years ago in a small town located in the Texas panhandle, that’s where the surprise comes in. The Borger, Texas population may be significantly smaller now than it was then, yet the story includes politics, violence, corruption, brothels, moonshine, sports gambling, greed, and the evolution of America … many of the elements that keep us glued to the book’s pages and sometimes stunned by what we are reading.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 