My Octopus Teacher

2020

1h 25m

Documentary

List

93%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

91%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

A diver swims with an octopus that lives in a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa.

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Critics Consensus

A heartwarming look at the way a meaningful bond can transcend just about any barrier, this documentary will leave you asking your friends to come and see My Octopus Teacher with you.

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Pippa Bailey

New Statesman

Must we view an octopus as a friend, a saviour, a teacher? Couldn't we simply settle for not eating them?

May 12, 2021

Full Review

Peter Travers

ABC News

You'll laugh and cry your eyes out as an emotionally bruised diver learns about life and loyalty from an eight-tentacled mollusk. This Oscar favorite and viral sensation is the year's most unorthodox and unforgettable love story.

Apr 23, 2021

Full Review

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Is this octopus so extraordinary, such a miracle of the natural world, that we're going to believe this redemption tale? And the answer is: yes, it is.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 29, 2021

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Film Focus Online

After watching Pippa Ehrlich's film, you may find it manipulative, lacking real depth, until it slowly starts to grow on you. It has a bit of magic in it.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 4, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“My Octopus Teacher” is a beautiful, moving, and reflective experience. It’s also a little crazy and doesn’t do much to hide its aggressive tugs on your heartstrings.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Dan Bayer

Next Best Picture

While this approach leaves the human element of the film's story often feeling like a bit of an afterthought, it still manages to garner an emotional response through the intimacy and purity of its story.

Rated: 8/10

May 13, 2022

Full Review

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Roddy

Love this film, one of the best nature docs ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/21

Full Review

Judith S

Wonderful photography touching story of a man learning to a love because of an octopus.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/21

Full Review

R R

Absolutely amazing . Soul touching . Beautiful! Soundtrack was so well made and meaning felt to the heart . Thank you

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/24

Full Review

Chirrut I

I saw this movies about 6 months ago and have thought about it every day since. Hugely impactful and important to see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Emilie P

This film grows on you. A must-see. I wont be able to eat an octopus ever again...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Boyd C

One of the more beautifully filmed documentaries I've ever seen, it's also rich in educational content about life among the kelp forests.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

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Pippa Ehrlich

Director

James Reed

Director

Craig Foster

Self

Pippa Ehrlich

Writer

James Reed

Writer

Craig Foster

Producer

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Synopsis

A diver swims with an octopus that lives in a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa.

Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
Producer: Craig Foster
Screenwriter: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
Production Co: A Netflix Original Documentary, The Sea Change Project, Off the Fence
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2020
Runtime: 1h 25m

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