All the Light We Cannot See is coming to Netflix on Nov. 2, but fans of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel got an exclusive virtual screening of the limited series’ first episode on Sunday, Sept. 10 — and they can’t get enough.

“[Director] Shawn Levy brings us a cinematic experience and I wish everyone could see this on the big screen. It is majestic,” tweeted one viewer.

Said another, “Heartbreaking and uplifting. At times scary and visually harrowinge but also life-affirming. Shawn Levy did an outstanding job with this deeply moving story.”

On Sunday evening, 7,613 fans logged into the virtual event and were treated to a sit-down conversation between the director and author following the screening. “It’s beautiful and I can’t wait for everybody to see it,” Doerr praised Levy. “You’re immediately able to bring [viewers into] the entire four-hour narrative, which I’m just in awe of.” The series also had its global premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend and was met with a standing ovation from the audience. 

Among the reactions, fans also couldn’t stop talking about newcomer Aria Mia Loberti’s casting as Marie-Laure in the series, some calling her a “revelation.” As a PhD student with no acting experience, Loberti sent in an audition tape that deeply moved Levy. “From the moment you guys sent me the link to Aria’s audition, I was blown away,” Levy shared during the event. In the series, Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who flees German-occupied Paris with her dad (Mark Ruffalo) to live with her uncle (Hugh Laurie) in Saint-Malo, France. Meanwhile, a teenage boy named Werner (Louis Hofmann) is enlisted by Hitler’s regime because of his radio skills — but through Marie-Laure’s secret broadcasts, he holds onto hope and resilience. 

If you missed Sunday’s virtual event, you can still watch Levy and Doerr’s full conversation above. All the Light We Cannot See premieres Nov. 2 on Netflix.