By John Corrado

The 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival runs from April 25th to May 5th in Toronto

The documentary Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story is a very sweet and beautifully filmed portrait of a childless couple and the wild otter they adopt into their lives. Billy and his wife Susan live in the Scottish Shetland Islands with their dog Jade, right on the coast of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Susan’s voiceover narration at the beginning tells us that her husband was struggling to find a sense of purpose, when a skinny young otter started scurrying onto their dock looking for food. Billy instantly bonds with the seemingly orphaned creature, naming her Molly, and almost treating her like a surrogate daughter. Caring for her becomes an all-consuming job, from making sure there is enough fish for her to eat, to providing her a sheltered place to sleep outside.

Directed by Charlie Hamilton Jones, the documentary follows the couple over the course of several seasons. There are shades of My Octopus Teacher in the story of the bond between human and wild animal. The heart of the film comes from watching Molly grow up and become self-sufficient, forcing Billy to grapple with the increasingly diminished role that he needs to play in her life, not unlike what all parents eventually have to go through. Making use of adorable footage of the titular otter, and gorgeous images of the natural landscapes, Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story is an enjoyable and heartwarming experience.

Film Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)

Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story screens as part of the 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival, more information on tickets and showtimes can be found right here.