Some stories feel like they’re meant for the screen, and Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of them — a tender, surprising novel about grief, connection, and an octopus with more wisdom than most humans. Now, with Sally Field leading the cast and Vancouver standing in for the fictional Sowell Bay, this heartwarming tale is swimming into a new life on film.
A Story That Already Felt Cinematic
Van Pelt’s bestselling 2022 novel captured readers with its unusual narrator: Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus with a sharp mind and a sharper wit. His unlikely friendship with Tova Sullivan, a widowed night cleaner at the local aquarium, becomes the emotional anchor of the story — one that blends mystery, healing, and humour in a way that feels both gentle and profound.
It turns out the author had a very specific actor in mind. According to Lewis Pullman, Van Pelt imagined Sally Field as Tova while writing the book — a full‑circle moment now realized on screen.
Sally Field at the Vancouver Aquarium
For Vancouverites, the excitement is doubled: the film didn’t just choose British Columbia for its scenery — it filmed right at the Vancouver Aquarium, giving the beloved local landmark a starring role.
While the fictional Sowell Bay is set in Washington State, the production found its perfect match in Vancouver and North Vancouver, where the coastal atmosphere, working waterfronts, and marine life exhibits brought the story’s world to life. Filming took place across the region, including Deep Cove, Cates Park, and Maple Ridge, but the aquarium scenes are the emotional heart of the film.
Seeing Sally Field wandering the aquarium’s quiet nighttime corridors — the same ones many of us have walked — adds a layer of intimacy and familiarity to the adaptation. Locals even spotted her filming in North Vancouver, warmly greeting fans between takes.
A Film That Stays True to the Book’s Spirit
Early previews suggest the movie remains faithful to the novel’s tone, capturing its cozy coastal setting, its gentle humour, and its themes of loss, resilience, and unexpected friendship. The trailer highlights the bond between Tova and Marcellus, with Alfred Molina voicing the octopus — a perfect match for his dry, observant personality.
Van Pelt herself has praised the adaptation, noting that while some scenes differ from the book, the characters feel exactly right — and she even filmed a cameo during her time on set in Vancouver.
Why This Adaptation Matters
At its core, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story about finding connection in unexpected places — something that resonates deeply in a world that often feels disconnected. Bringing this story to screen, especially with an actor as grounded and empathetic as Sally Field, feels like an invitation to slow down, breathe, and rediscover wonder.
And for those of us in British Columbia, there’s something special about seeing our coastline, our forests, and our aquarium woven into a story that has already touched so many hearts.
A Final Thought
Whether you fell in love with the book or are discovering the story for the first time, the film adaptation promises to be life‑affirming, beautifully acted, and visually rich — a celebration of the quiet magic that happens when humans and the natural world truly see each other.
And yes… Marcellus steals the show. Again.
It starts streaming on Netflix tomorrow. I can't wait to watch it.
