Did the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie meet expectations?
My thought on the new Netflix movie adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt
Step forward if you’re a Remarkably Bright Creatures superfan like me.
You too? Well I’m sure you can relate to the equal-parts fear and anticipation I was feeling leading up to the release of the Netflix movie adaptation.
I’ve been stung too many times by beloved books failing to translate to screen (People We Meet on Vacation, I’m looking at you). Still, after seeing the trailer circa 200 times, I found myself cautiously optimistic.
Thankfully, that optimism paid off.
I’ll admit, for the first 20 minutes I was sitting there anxiously thinking, “Why haven’t they introduced XYZ yet?” while desperately trying to fill in the gaps for my partner beside me. But eventually everything clicked into place, and I realised I needn’t have worried.
This adaptation captured the same emotional depth and profoundness that made the novel so special.
Of course, some elements were changed, so let’s start there. Though note, these are just the differences that stood out to me personally, I may have missed others.
First, the film removes the sequence of Tova visiting and applying to the retirement village. Instead, we meet her after the decision has already been made through hearing a voicemail she keeps avoiding. Honestly, this worked for me. Playing out the entire scene probably would have slowed the pacing and wasn’t necessary for the consequent scenes or emotional payoff, so cutting it felt reasonable.
What initially threw me, however, was Cameron’s introduction. We meet him arriving in Sowell Bay with almost no context, which had me immediately whispering explanations to my partner: “He’s from California, he’s there looking for his father after his mother died…blah blah” Eventually the film does give us pieces of that history, just later on and in a more surmised way. I didn’t dislike the choice, but I do think the lack of setup made his early scenes feel slightly confusing.
Another noticeable change is how quickly Cameron gets the job. In the book, we see Ethan recommend him and the interview process itself, whereas the film skips straight to Cameron’s first interaction with Tova whilst on his shift. It doesn’t affect the overall story, but even a brief transition scene could have helped smooth the jump from unemployed to employed.
Then there’s Marcellus. Overall, he’s portrayed beautifully, and many of his scenes remain faithful to the book. However, it felt like the adaptation toned down some of the subtle hints and easter eggs that he had already pieced together the central revelation. I understand why, it keeps the ending less predictable for viewers (my partner genuinely didn’t see it coming until the final moments), but I still missed some of the cleverness and details that made him so brilliant in the book.
As for the performances:
Sally Field embodied Tova perfectly. She was everything I imagined while reading. Warm and compassionate, yet sharp around the edges. Witty and sarcastic, while slightly despondent underneath. Her chemistry with Cameron felt incredibly natural and genuine, particularly during the scene after music night when she finally opens up to him. And those final moments with Marcellus? Absolutely heartbreaking in the best possible way. She delivered on every level.
Lewis Pullman’s portrayal of Cameron felt slightly different from the novel’s version, though that may come down to my interpretation. Book Cameron always struck me as somewhat naïve and aimless, which naturally led him into many of the situations he found himself in. Film Cameron, on the other hand, came across more stand-offish and stubborn, borderline rude in a few moments. That said, I still thought Pullman gave a strong performance, it just felt an interesting choice to play on his personality differently.
I also wish we’d seen more of Ethan. The film doesn’t fully establish how much he cares for Tova until he asks her out, which made the moment feel less-than important. Without weaving his adoration into the earlier scenes, I can imagine some viewers interpreting it as a pity invite rather than genuine affection, which is a shame because their relationship carried so much warmth in the book.
And finally, Marcellus: absolutely no notes. Alfred Molina’s voice performance was perfect, it almost carried a David Attenborough-like quality, with authority, intelligence, and kindness all at once. Visually, Marcellus was stunning too. The CGI felt really believable, which made his scenes all the more emotionally effective.
Ultimately, the success of this adaptation comes down to how it makes you feel. By the end, both my partner and I were in tears, and we agreed it was a success not only as a book adaptation, but as a genuinely moving film in its own right. My partner even gave it a 4.5 on Letterboxd, high praise and considering he’s an incredibly tough critic. Hats off to Netflix, Shelby Van Pelt, and everyone involved.
I can finally breathe again knowing this incredible book has been given the adaptation it deserves.
Have you watched the movie yet? Let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear them.
I loved the book so much! I was worried I’d be let down by the movie, but it was really excellent. I jotted some notes down as I watched and made note of nearly all the same things you did! Cameron’s arrival felt so abrupt. We see him and them BAM he’s at the aquarium. I’m glad some more of the backstory was filled in a long the way. I understand why certain parts had to be cut/reworked to be better on the screen, but I do wish we got a little more of Cameron’s story. Although if I hadn’t read the book, I don’t think I’d miss it.
I haven’t watched the Remarkably Bright Creatures adaptation yet—honestly it’s not really a genre I usually go for but I really enjoyed reading this. It was still really interesting to see your thoughts, especially how you felt about the changes they made in the adaptation.