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 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 