Project Hail Mary — Review
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
Adapting a bestselling, award-winning novel into a film is no simple task, and audiences tend to scrutinize every detail to determine whether the movie does a beloved book justice. Fortunately, the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel Project Hail Mary has all the ingredients for success. With Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in the directors’ chairs, a screenplay penned by Drew Goddard—who previously wrote the script for another Andy Weir adaptation, Ridley Scott’s The Martian (2015)—and a star like Ryan Gosling at the forefront, the film seems destined to be as crowd-pleasing as its source material. The result is an astounding triumph, bringing Weir’s novel to the big screen with remarkable fidelity and transforming it into what will likely be one of the best films of the year.
Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a junior high school teacher and former molecular biologist who awakens from a coma aboard the Hail Mary starship with no memory of who he is, where he is, or why he’s there. As his memories gradually return, he recalls that scientists discovered the Sun is dimming due to single-celled organisms called “Astrophage” that consume electromagnetic radiation. Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) leads a global task force to solve the problem because the Sun’s dimming would trigger a catastrophic ice age on Earth in approximately 30 years. Other nearby stars have also been infected with Astrophage, except for Tau Ceti. Grace eventually deduces that the Hail Mary is an Astrophage-fueled spacecraft sent to Tau Ceti to study its resistance to the organism and ultimately save Earth. Being the sole survivor of the Hail Mary crew, Grace’s journey is profoundly lonely. That is, until he forms an unexpected friendship with an alien named Rocky.
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
The dynamic between Grace and Rocky is endlessly endearing and serves as the emotional core of the film. The language barrier leads to humorous exchanges as they bond over mutual curiosity about one another and a shared determination to save their respective planets. It’s easy to get swept up in the story of their budding friendship. A combination of visual and practical effects brings Rocky to life, with James Ortiz serving as the character’s voice and lead puppeteer. His performance, paired with expressive sound design and intuitive visual cues, makes Rocky a charming, lovable personality.
Ryan Gosling proves to be a pitch-perfect casting choice for the role of Dr. Ryland Grace. The film rests almost entirely on his shoulders, as Grace spends most of his time alone aboard the Hail Mary or interacting with Rocky. Gosling naturally embodies Grace’s curiosity, wit, anxiety, and sardonic humor, portraying the character with vulnerability and nuance. He’s a reluctant hero—an ordinary man suddenly burdened with the immeasurable responsibility of knowing the fate of Earth depends on him. With humanity's survival at stake, the film’s themes could easily feel heavy or bleak. However, Gosling’s impeccable comedic timing and his chemistry with Rocky—along with Daniel Pemberton’s uplifting score—infuse the story with a welcome sense of levity and a lingering feeling of hope.
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
Rocky isn’t the only one with whom Gosling shares strong chemistry. The film frequently shifts between the present-day events aboard the Hail Mary and flashbacks to the days leading up to its launch, where we see the dynamic between Grace and Stratt, which provides a compelling contrast to his friendship with Rocky. Sandra Hüller is brilliant as Eva Stratt, expertly capturing not only the character’s seemingly cold demeanor but also the humanity lurking beneath the surface. She is stoic and authoritative, yet allows surprising glimpses of warmth and emotion to shine through. Her enigmatic, straightforward mannerisms also enhance the comedic aspects of Gosling’s performance.
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
Dune (2021) cinematographer Greig Fraser delivers awe-inspiring work here, making this voyage through space feel both dazzling and dangerous. The spectacular visuals capture the breathtaking, vast beauty of the cosmos. The colors are vibrant and the imagery imaginative, even allowing us to occasionally see things from Rocky’s unique perspective. A few match cuts and creative scene transitions make the shifts between past and present feel seamless, so the story never loses momentum. The production design also deepens the film’s immersion. The Hail Mary is so intricately designed that the spacecraft feels monumental yet tangible, as if every room and device serves a real purpose. Meanwhile, the design of Rocky’s ship is so distinct that it truly feels as though both ships were constructed on different planets.
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary isn’t groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s comfort in its familiarity, and the film excels at delivering a sense of adventure and entertainment on an epic scale while also providing thrilling stakes, consistent laughs, and heartfelt emotion. It’s a reminder of how enjoyable a well-crafted blockbuster can be, and it’s sure to leave audiences satisfied, delighted, and enthralled. For those who haven’t read the novel, the ending could potentially feel a bit clunky, as there are moments when the story seems on the verge of wrapping up, only for a new development to arise. However, those unexpected moments are part of what makes the narrative so engaging.
At a time when many blockbusters prioritize spectacle over substance, Project Hail Mary proves that a film can deliver both without sacrificing heart. It’s an incredibly faithful adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel, capturing the awe and wonder of space exploration while grounding its story in humor, warmth, and genuine emotion. Anchored by Ryan Gosling’s charming and heartfelt performance, the film reminds us that even across the vastness of space, the most extraordinary discoveries are often the connections we make along the way.
Project Hail Mary hits theaters on March 20, 2026.
