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My Octopus Teacher

Play trailer Poster for My Octopus Teacher 2020 1h 25m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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.
My Octopus Teacher

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (318) audience reviews
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 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 jake w What a beautiful documentary. Felt like a wonderful story. Its incredibly well shot, well told and was actually quite moving, one of the best documentaries I've ever seen!! Enjoy Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/25 Full Review Mysterious M Yeah this is wicked Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review wdnt y I remember the night that I started watching this a year or so ago I was so enthralled that I couldn’t put it down. I had to watch the whole series and it was truly amazing. I knew a lot about the octopus going in mostly the fact that it could be alienthat it’s unlike anything else on this planet, and that there is no evolutionary barrier from this or to this it simply just an amazing creature and I’m really glad I watched this and got to know it more. Thank you. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
My Octopus Teacher

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Movie Info

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