My Octopus Teacher

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My Octopus Teacher

2020

1h 25m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

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

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

Toria S

This is an excellent piece of work!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

Full Review

rebel g

i wanna live with herrr😭🩵

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Tilman G

My Octopus Teacher aims to show a profound connection between humans and nature, but the movie remains a difficult experience for many viewers to access. The story becomes cumbersome due to long, sometimes unnecessary scenes and the already esoteric narrative style. For some, the mixture of documentary and personal experience may be interesting, but for others it seems rather strange and less captivating. Overall, the movie remains too bizarre and not entirely successful.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Kevin P

Gorgeous cinematography oozing with vibrant colors and clear as day lighting. The narrative of the octopus is fascinating, albeit unintentionally awkward at times with its almost romantic framing and wording of the marine biologist’s relationship with the titular octopus (and somewhat manipulative with the protagonist’s over-interpretation of his experience with the octopus). Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful and educational documentary about the wonders of the octopus and its oceanic environment.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

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Pippa Ehrlich

Director

James Reed

Director

Craig Foster

Self

Pippa Ehrlich

Writer

James Reed

Writer

Craig Foster

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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