Project Hail Mary (2026) | Film Review

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is on a short list of audiobooks I’ve consumed more than once. The narration by Ray Porter is top-notch, and the production nearly ruined the medium for me going forward. Plus, the story has equal parts excitement and heart that made it an instant classic for me personally.

Needless to say, I was eagerly anticipating the film adaptation. I fully expected to walk out of the theater like one of those book snobs. You know the ones I’m talking about: those people who will forever say “the book is always better” and pick apart tiny details left out. While I will say that the original source material is still superior in my mind, I couldn’t have asked for much better than the final result. They nailed it, and I was definitely smiling by the time the credits rolled.

The World Ain’t All Sunshine and Rainbows

Much like The Martian’s Mark Watney, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is the audience’s “every man” thrust into an impossible situation. Grace’s previous experience with science was nowhere near NASA level, however. His career as a middle school science teacher makes him even more relatable.

He wakes to find himself on an unfamiliar spacecraft alone with no memory of how he got there or why he is there. The audience (and Grace himself) learn about his mission to save the planet in a series of flashbacks as his memory slowly comes back to him. His task? Seek out a distant solar system to learn why its sun is unaffected by an organism that is otherwise consuming our sun. And by the way, said organism also happens to be powering Grace’s spacecraft. Go figure.

Although Grace finds himself alone, he eventually finds companionship. And this is where the story really takes an interesting turn. Not only is Project Hail Mary about saving the world, it’s also a first contact story in the form of an extraterrestrial named Rocky (wonderfully alive and eventually given voice by James Ortiz). As it turns out, he’s on the same mission as Grace, and the pair form an unlikely bond that gives the film heart that really drives it home.

There Is No Tomorrow

I wasn’t sold on Gosling as Grace in the trailer, but he won me over by the end of this two hour and thirty-six minute adventure. It’s sometimes easy to label actors like him as simply a pretty face, but he’s proven here again that he’s got the chops to carry a film, even when it’s just him for a good portion.

Eva Stratt, the person in charge of Project Hail Mary, is played brilliantly by Sandra Hüller, who delivers the character’s no-nonsense attitude with just a slight sense of humor. She portrays Stratt as a woman who is forced to make tough decisions without relying on her emotions. She did this so well, I actually felt compassion for the character.

To me, this is truly what sets this narrative apart from your typical sci-fi story. There’s quite a roller coaster of emotions happening throughout the film from multiple characters. That coupled with the twists and turns told in flashbacks reveal our heroes’ flaws in ways most won’t see coming. It’s a great balance of world-ending seriousness with plenty of humor, charm, and heartbreak to keep the audience on its toes at all times.

Everybody Can Change

Yes, this is a longer movie than typical for this genre, but I didn’t feel like there was a minute wasted. Every second felt important, and I never caught myself looking at my watch.

I was also impressed with the production. It probably would have been easier to render Rocky digitally, but thankfully the decision was made to use practical effects. And what a difference that made. Giving Gosling something to emote against instead of a green screen clearly paid off. Their friendship felt as real as the puppeteer prop itself, and I never doubted for a moment that the animatronic fiberglass was, in fact, alive.

Project Hail Mary Final Verdict

Project Hail Mary is proof positive that sometimes it’s OK to trust your author when adapting a screenplay. This movie was worth the wait, and I already can’t wait to see it again.