If you don't find octopuses endlessly alien, fascinating, and splendid, well, there's not much I can do for you. But if you do, you will enjoy this Netflix original. The footage of the plucky, clever, and apparently affectionate octopus protagonist is simply exceptional. I was less enthusiastic about her smitten human documentarian Craig Foster and the film's questionable narrative style. Still, there's little doubt that Foster is a remarkable creature in his own right: Here's a guy who refuses scuba gear and instead snorkels (without a wetsuit!) in the bracing and shark-infested waters of a South African kelp forest to interact with his special octopus friend.
It's well known that octopuses are extremely intelligent and curious, that their whole body is essentially a brain, and that their physical abilities as shape- and color-shifters are almost beyond human comprehension. Our octopus hero is in constant danger, especially from sharks, and she has a big bag of tricks up her tentacles: instantaneous camouflage coloration; forming herself into a rock shape that can slowly scuttle across the ocean floor on two tentacle legs; releasing distracting ink clouds during jetting escapes; wrapping herself in kelp or seashells for protection; and, perhaps most mindbogglingly, escaping from the jaws of a very violent and persistent shark by– well, enough spoilers.
The problem is, I'm sorry to say, dishonest storytelling. For example, it is just not plausible that Foster, who is after all holding his breath for every filmed encounter, could follow the octopus over an extended shark chase scene in the water, out of the water, and back in again.
One may charitably allow this as narrative license. But given the undeniable beauty, suspense, and pathos of each one-breath encounter, it seems unnecessary at best. And the human side of this story– that somehow the love of an octopus gave Foster back his own life and ability to love his own family– is just too schematic and poorly developed to be anything more than sentimentalism.
All that said, watch it. If nothing else, you'll be less inclined to order that grilled tentacle next time you see it on the menu.
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