If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if an elderly widow, an enigmatic young man, and a surprisingly perceptive giant Pacific octopus crossed paths, the first official trailer for Remarkably Bright Creatures has your answer.

The upcoming film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s beloved novel is finally coming to the big screen, led by the legendary Sally Field and Top Gun: Maverick standout Lewis Pullman. Directed by Olivia Newman, Remarkably Bright Creatures is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most emotional and quietly magical releases.

The trailer sets the tone right away: gentle, introspective, and full of heart. We’re introduced to Tova Sullivan, played by Sally Field, a recently widowed woman who fills her lonely nights by working the graveyard shift at a small-town aquarium. Her routine is simple and solitary—until she starts to form a strange, meaningful bond with one of the aquarium’s most remarkable residents: a highly intelligent octopus named Marcellus.

Through beautifully lit nighttime sequences and quiet moments of reflection, the trailer shows Tova slowly opening up, both to this curious creature and to the possibility that her life isn’t as “finished” as she once believed. The visuals—tanks glowing in deep blues, reflections on glass, and the fluid movements of Marcellus—evoke a dreamlike world hiding in plain sight.

Lewis Pullman appears as a drifting young man searching for purpose and answers, crossing paths with Tova in ways that feel both coincidental and fated. Dan Payne rounds out the cast, and together they inhabit a story that revolves around loss, second chances, and the unexpected connections that can change everything.

What really stands out in the trailer is how grounded the movie feels, even with a central relationship that involves an octopus. Rather than leaning into gimmick or spectacle, Remarkably Bright Creatures focuses on character, emotion, and the quiet magic of empathy. The octopus isn’t just a visual effect or a punchline; he’s portrayed as an observant, almost otherworldly presence who sees more than the humans around him—and may know more than anyone suspects.

Olivia Newman’s direction seems to embrace the intimacy of the story. There’s a deliberate pacing to the trailer: lingering shots of Tova cleaning tanks, Marcellus watching her with unblinking curiosity, and glimpses of a town that feels comfortably lived-in. The tone suggests a film in the vein of gentle, character-driven dramedies, with just enough mystery threaded through to keep viewers guessing about the “life-changing discovery” promised in the synopsis.

Sally Field looks perfectly cast as Tova, bringing tenderness, resilience, and a quiet humor to the role. Even in the brief moments we see in the trailer, Field conveys a woman who’s spent years burying her pain beneath routine, only to be nudged—by an octopus, of all things—toward finally confronting her past. Lewis Pullman brings a different sort of vulnerability, playing a man who doesn’t quite fit anywhere, yet may hold the missing pieces of Tova’s long-buried questions.

The film is set for its US theatrical release on May 8, 2026, and the trailer suggests it will be a perfect pick for viewers who love heartfelt, character-focused stories with a touch of whimsy and wonder. Expect themes of grief, healing, found family, and the unlikely ways people—and creatures—can change each other’s lives.

From the atmospheric aquarium setting to the emotionally charged performances teased in these first clips, Remarkably Bright Creatures looks like it could be one of the standout literary adaptations of the decade and a sleeper hit for fans of poignant, uplifting cinema.

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