An Intimate Relationship Between a Man and Octopus

“My Octopus Teacher,” a Netflix Original about the unlikely bond between naturalist Craig Foster and a young female octopus in a remote kelp forest of the South Africa ocean, will blow your mind and lift your soul from the sludge of pandemic despair.

Facing a low point in his life, Craig, who is also a documentary filmmaker, decides to return to free-diving in the kaleidoscopic wilderness off the Western Cape. Underwater, he meets a shy ordinary octopus, which slowly lets Craig into her world witness the magic, fragility, and brutal simplicity of the aquatic life.

This astonishing film takes us into an unimaginable universe. Through Craig, we experience the sensuality and emotional roller-coaster ride of their one-year relationship- the short lifespan of this highly intelligent mollusk - including the terror of a shark attack that nearly kills the octopus.

Six years ago, in a conversation I had with Lisa Nishimura, the brilliant exec at Netflix behind many of their best docuseries, she spoke of “elevated storytelling” in non-fiction. Soon, Netflix released “Chef’s Table” and a slew of other projects that re-defined factual filmmaking. “My Octopus Teacher,” with its fantastical premise, stunning cinematography, and extraordinary filmmaking, is an excellent example of what Lisa was talking about. The film deserves the Oscar it has been nominated for.

Watch “My Octopus Teacher,” then laugh in joy and weep at the gorgeousness and fragility of the natural world we inherited that is not ours to destroy.

My Octopus Teacher Trailer