My Octopus Teacher

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): September 7, 2020

8.1	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 48 Ratings

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User Reviews

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Brent_MarchantApr 7, 2021

Who would have thought that we could learn anything meaningful from an undersea mollusk? Yet, if we're willing to devote the time and effort to studying the miracles of nature, there's no telling what we might glean from the experience, bothWho would have thought that we could learn anything meaningful from an undersea mollusk? Yet, if we're willing to devote the time and effort to studying the miracles of nature, there's no telling what we might glean from the experience, both about our subject and ourselves. Such is the experience of filmmaker and oceanic explorer Craig Foster, who spent a year studying and interacting (in a very heartfelt and personal way) with an octopus in an underwater kelp forest off the coast of South Africa. Gorgeously filmed and warmly narrated, this moving documentary from directors Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed shows us a world seldom seen, with insights never imagined about a creature we know of but know virtually nothing about. This is truly a cinematic labor of love, one richly deserving of its Oscar and BAFTA nominations for best documentary feature.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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sirrongDec 4, 2020

It is astonishing that, as I write this 3 months after its release, there is only one review of this movie. It is shot beautifully and tells an incredibly engaging story.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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mstiversApr 4, 2021

I don't usually watch nature documentaries, but I got a very high recommendation from a friend. It far exceeded my expectations. The story of the relationship between the filmmaker and the octopus is startling, and the cinematography andI don't usually watch nature documentaries, but I got a very high recommendation from a friend. It far exceeded my expectations. The story of the relationship between the filmmaker and the octopus is startling, and the cinematography and sound are stellar.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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LeadbasedtoyzApr 21, 2021

This moi e was dumb af...like how did it get such a high rating my god 5/10 if you have no taste at best.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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bertobellamyApr 8, 2021

I mean, the underwater footage is impressive, but I didn't know if the movie was just an excuse for that guy to produce a film about him. I didn't even remember what the cause for him to start diving was. And, you have to admit that theI mean, the underwater footage is impressive, but I didn't know if the movie was just an excuse for that guy to produce a film about him. I didn't even remember what the cause for him to start diving was. And, you have to admit that the relationship he develops with the octopus is kind of creepy. 'Gunda' did a better job at giving us an authentic glimpse of the animal kingdom with no humans around (or at least on screen).… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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PanchogulApr 26, 2021

Este bellísimo documental me hizo sentir cariño por una criatura a la que siempre le he tenido algo de rechazo, felicidades por haber ganado el Oscar

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JamieVineyardDec 3, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A wild creature spending most of it’s time in the deep waters, and an octopus. This film talks in depth about a self obsessed grown ass man who falls in love with a few months old female. After feeling of having himself in his work, being discontent and disconnected with the world. he decides to leave his human family for a year, to spent all his quality time with this younger more flexible, colourful and very smart girl. The girl is shy at first but he manages to crack her shell. Over time we see the stalking gets more and more obsessive, the man wants to know everything about her, studies every move and want’s to think like her, become one with her. A disturbing codependence grows, long shots of staring in the nothing, show the depths of compulsion, close ups of the eyes display the neurosis inside. At one point in the story she manages to flee, only to be tracked down by the hunter in a weeks time. She gives in and wrap her arms around him, trying to strangle him, but he is too strong and would have all the evidence captured on camera, he films her every move. Even when she gets attacked by a shark, he believes her pain might make her more vulnerable and accepting to his affection. The whole film used many of the traits we see in documentary film making, but with a clever twist, we seem to be talking about the octopus, but later on we realise that the subject is really the study of the narcissistic personality disorder of the man. We hear the voice of the man as the narrator, putting thoughts in the animals head, when the girl finds someone else he gets upset and leaks a sex tape of her. We see the collapse of both characters when after having stalked her for 80% of her life, she finally finds peace in death, he will have to let her go. At the end he goes to hunt for her kids, and the cycle continues.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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drlowdonMay 21, 2022

A south African wildlife documentary maker befriends an octopus in the kelp forest near is home.

Shot entirely by one man, My Octopus Teachers is an informative and emotional insight into the life and intelligence of the common sea octopus.