My Octopus Teacher

2020

1 hr. 25 min.

Documentary

List

93%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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

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Netflix

Watch My Octopus Teacher with a subscription on Netflix.

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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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

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

matthias s

"My Octopus Teacher" dives deep into the mesmerizing world of marine life, and there's no denying the visual spectacle it offers. The underwater scenes are breathtaking, and the octopus itself is a true star of the show, showcasing its incredible adaptability and intelligence. However, the documentary's human element leaves much to be desired. Craig Foster's unwavering fascination with the octopus borders on obsession, and it can be unsettling to watch. His overly sentimental narration and emotional attachment to the cephalopod can come across as forced and, at times, uncomfortable. It feels like he's projecting his own emotions onto the octopus in a way that doesn't always feel healthy or balanced. While the film's underwater cinematography is undeniably captivating, the human element of the documentary left me wanting more objectivity and less of Foster's personal infatuation with his eight-armed companion. Ultimately, "My Octopus Teacher" is a mixed bag of stunning visuals and a somewhat problematic emotional journey.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

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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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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Synopsis

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

Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
Executive Producer: Ellen Windemuth
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

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