Laugh, Learn, and Look Below the Surface

Read Time:4 Minute, 34 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
Octopus!
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 2 x 40m episodes
Director(s): Niharika Desai
Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video May 8, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: There’s something perfect about a nature documentary that opens with Tracy Morgan telling you why octopuses might be the coolest thing on Earth. OCTOPUS! throws away the rules of the genre, leaning into a wild blend of science, humor, and heart. What could’ve been a familiar swim through marine biology becomes something sharper, stranger, and more human, without losing sight of its eight-armed star.

OCTOPUS! is a two-part documentary with a self-aware sense of humor and a genuine curiosity about its subject. It’s the kind of project where facts meet eccentricity and come out better for it. Narrated with a knowing smirk by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also executive produced the special, this isn’t your average undersea exposé. The tone hovers between heartfelt and hilarious, confident enough to respect its audience while nudging them in the ribs.

At the heart of the project is the Giant Pacific Octopus, followed from the earliest moments of its life to its final moments. But this isn’t just a biological timeline. The story stretches beyond the creature itself and reaches into the lives of those fascinated by it: scientists, marine adventurers, and, in one of the more unexpected but welcome additions, comedian Tracy Morgan. These segments don’t just adorn the documentary—they inject personality. His genuine obsession with octopuses and marine life isn’t a gimmick. It adds a dose of wide-eyed wonder that perfectly matches the show’s tone.

That tone is crucial. It allows the documentary to balance facts and fun without cheapening either. Waller-Bridge brings her signature style to the narration, which is equally informative and bold. Her delivery adds character without drawing attention away from the subject matter. Where many nature docs strive for reverence, this one isn’t afraid to be playful. That choice makes the science feel approachable without dumbing it down, a delicate balance many documentaries don’t manage nearly as well.

Visually, OCTOPUS! earns its place among top-tier nature productions. The cinematography captures the octopus in motion—there’s a hypnotic quality to watching its body change shape and color as it explores its underwater world. The visuals aren’t merely beautiful for the sake of being pretty; they’re composed to provide us with insight into behavior and environment. It’s educational without ever pausing for a lecture.

Marine biologists don’t just recite information; they share how their relationship with this species has shaped their lives. This storytelling choice prevents the film from feeling like a string of disconnected facts and creates a narrative arc that sustains interest. The shift between tones— observational humor and sincere scientific commentary—won’t be for everyone.

There’s undeniable charm in how this documentary plays with the boundaries of genre. It’s not afraid to let humor coexist with awe, and it makes room for unexpected perspectives. One of the documentary’s subtle triumphs is that it never feels like trying too hard. Even in its most unconventional moments—yes, there’s unicorn talk—it maintains a light touch that makes the viewing experience feel surprisingly intimate. The animated cutscenes are charming in their own right; there’s something special, almost whimsical about them.

This could've been groundbreaking with a little more weight behind its conservation message. But even as it stands, OCTOPUS! is refreshingly unique, refusing to let the subject matter be defined solely by grandeur. It opens a dialogue about nature and how we approach knowledge—how emotion and curiosity coexist with science, and how storytelling can be a tool as valuable as data when handled with care.

For anyone who’s grown tired of the ultra-serious, formulaic nature of specials that flood the streaming landscape, this one has enough creativity and soul to break through. Whether you're in it for the octopus facts, the narration, or to watch Tracy Morgan wax poetic about marine life, something here will probably surprise you.

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[photo courtesy of PRIME VIDEO, AMAZON STUDIOS]

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