Project Hail Mary: A Galactic Marvel Beyond the Stars

Blasting Off

The engines are fired up and the shuttle has its destination mapped. That can only mean one thing: we have liftoff on a new science-fiction movie from some of Hollywood’s greatest visionaries! Project Hail Mary is based on a 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, who is no stranger to big screen adaptations. He previously wrote another book in the genre, The Martian, which was adapted into a highly successful 2015 movie adaptation.

Now, Weir is back on the big screen in a glorious fashion, with a movie that has built a strong stream of hype leading up to its release, through its stylish trailers and big names in the cast and crew – including Weir himself. But could it manage to meet or even exceed those expectations, especially during a quieter time for the box office? As it turns out, yes, and even a bit beyond that. Not only is this movie tracking to make around $45-55 million in its first weekend, but it has received universal acclaim from critics, with many calling it an early contender for one of the best films of the entire year.

Bearing all of this in mind, I could not have been more excited to check this movie out, as I counted down the days until its release. Though I have not read the book this film was based on, I was instantly enamored by its concept and creative team. As a massive fan of science-fiction, I love when movies take their core stories out of this world – literally – and explore exciting new locations throughout the galaxy. Plus, I adored the film adaptation of The Martian and much of the creative team’s other works, so the stars were all aligned for me to give this film a similarly positive response.

I was lucky enough to attend an advanced screening of the film on Monday, March 16, at Reading Cinemas Manville – my go-to theater back home. As the mission came to a close, I was left with one question: did this movie kick off my spring break on a high note, or was it better off to leave this idea stranded before it left the ground?

Fly Me to the Moon

Set at some point in the distant future, Project Hail Mary focuses on Dr. Ryland Grace – a middle school science teacher – who awakens on the isolated Hail Mary spaceship, light years away from Earth, with no recollection of how he got there. As his memory begins to return, he uncovers a complex plot to stop a mysterious substance from killing the sun. Surrounded by nothing but the grand galaxy, Grace must use his scientific skills to research and combat the threat, while forming a bond with an alien creature who may hold the key to saving both of their worlds.

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller – whose other directorial credits include The Lego Movie and the 21 Jump Street films – the movie stars a talented ensemble cast including Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub among others. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this movie may be one of the most incredible I’ve seen on the big screen in a long time. In fact, I could even make the argument that this is one of the best science-fiction movies to come out this entire decade! This film gobsmacked me in every meaning of the word, including in how it handled its story structure. At a surface level, the film has a very fascinating concept of saving the sun from dying out. But everything surrounding it makes the screenplay something incredible to behold. 

Namely, in addition to the intergalactic conflict, the film has two primary side stories: the relationship between Grace and an alien he names Rocky, and Grace’s past as he pieces together how he ended up on the Hail Mary. It utilizes a unique story structure, interweaving the present events of Grace and Rocky with flashback sequences of Grace’s time on Earth. It not only gives the film time to develop its conflict and the overarching threat it has across different galaxies, but it allows a strong mystery to build regarding Grace’s motivations and past with scientific discoveries.

The plot remains engaging throughout the entire runtime, through a combination of unpredictable onscreen events, ranging from a touching bond between the two protagonists to a number of twists pertaining to the mysterious substance killing the sun, and even Grace’s role in the mission. The film kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire runtime, something I was admittedly a bit skeptical of going into the screening.

Sitting at 2 hours and 36 minutes (156 minutes) in length, this film may appear intimidating to sit through, considering how long it is. However, once it begins and takes liftoff, it ensures that its audience is engaged the entire time. It grabbed my attention the moment it started and did not let me go until the credits rolled, keeping my eyes glued to the screen through its clever writing and impeccable storytelling. 

The screenplay is further benefitted by the film’s tone, which finds the perfect mix between when to be lighthearted and dramatic. Up to this point, Lord and Miller’s directorial efforts have had a heavy emphasis on comedy, leaving me partially suspicious that this film’s overall feel would lean too much into humor. However, the movie finds a terrific balance between jokes and heart which keep it all the more enthralling. 

The majority of the humor comes from Gosling’s line delivery and physicality, or Rocky’s shenanigans as he interacts with Grace, which got a laugh out of me more often than not. But as the film progresses – especially in act three – it leans much more into its dramatic side, resulting in multiple moments which effectively illustrate drama and intensity. I’ll even admit, there were a few occasions where I nearly got emotional. As a result, the movie manages to not only build strong entertainment value, while maintaining a strong emotional core, in what could be Lord and Miller’s most grounded outing to date. 

Major Tom to Ground Control

Part of what makes this movie so extraordinary is the characters, who correlate extremely well with the screenplay to paint a realistic portrayal of the conflict. This approach allows even the smallest character with few lines to shine in their own distinct way, as the film’s backbone is built entirely off of how its characters interact and react to the issues at hand. 

Without question, the standout character of the movie is Grace, the main protagonist who finds himself stuck in a perilous position. He has the most development of the feature, being introduced as a skeptical man without a clue in his intergalactic position, before he begins to open up more as he pieces together his predicament. Grace is very scientifically skilled, which the movie illustrates through his frequent hypotheses and experiments on the substance causing the whole problem. At the same time, he is not afraid to speak his mind or act quickly, especially through the numerous improvisations he has to make while in space. 

Grace has a prominent arc throughout the feature, acknowledging the stakes the world faces, but expressing worry and doubt in being able to pull off some of his ideas. His character, despite his own doubts and fears, evolves substantially throughout the runtime as he begins to become accustomed to his new environment and understand his role in the Hail Mary. 

Grace’s arc sees further development when he is introduced to Rocky, an alien creature made entirely of rocks whose shuttle makes contact with the Hail Mary. Typically, this type of character would serve as a comic relief, providing a plethora of jokes amid serious and uncertain events. However, Rocky proved to be another standout character in the film, as his role goes far beyond just making jokes. Sure, he does have a fair share of humor throughout the movie, especially in his early interactions with Grace and eager energy. But beyond that, he serves as a primary vessel for the movie’s heart, as he and Grace bond over their shared struggles: being isolated in space as their suns threaten to die out. 

It leads to a fantastic dynamic between the two, which also saw the most instances where I was nearly brought to tears. Throughout the film’s entire second half, Grace and Rocky become inseparable through their interactions and goals, even with their two distinct personalities – while Grace is much more work-driven and determined to find a solution, Rocky is more curious and hyperactive. 

It all culminates in the film’s third act, which not only had the most intense moments of the whole feature, but it allows its most dramatic scenes to simmer and build greater impact. A primary example can be highlighted during the climax, in which one of the two soulmates is forced to make a difficult decision for the sake of the other. 

Not to mention, the cast does a phenomenal job at bringing these characters to life. The film does not have a massive ensemble, as the majority of the runtime focuses on Grace and Rocky. However, the two are portrayed brilliantly by Gosling and Ortiz, respectively. While Gosling has amazing traits of energy, skepticism, and worry as Grace, Ortiz provides the voice of Rocky in an expressive and emotional way  – via a translator created by his human friend. Other performers who do not share the screen as prominently – like Hüller and Boyce – make use of every moment they get onscreen, leading to many realistic and genuine interactions, especially with Grace.

This film’s cast is part of what makes it so incredible, as each performer gives their character distinct personalities which help them stand out, even if they do not have much of a screen presence.

Across the Universe

My favorite part of this entire film, amid the several other commendable aspects, was its technical aspects. These not only gave the film a distinct style from other science-fiction movies, but it made the overall theatrical experience absolutely mesmerizing, especially visually. This is the type of flick that warrants being seen on the biggest screen possible – including through premium formats like IMAX or Dolby Atmos just for the eye candy alone.

This film makes use of both computer-generated and practical effects for a variety of different aspects. These include the design and movement of Rocky, exterior shots of the Hail Mary drifting through space, and different planets that Grace and Rocky explore. The film has a great amount of variety in the locations it visits, especially off Earth, which give it a prominent spectacle that meshes flawlessly with the storytelling. 

I was especially impressed by how the film brought Rocky to life, as his realistic design and environment interactions made him feel like a genuine creature rather than a noticeable glop of computer effects.

The film’s cinematography is also quite stunning, through a combination of creative movements and incredible production design. As I mentioned before, most of the film takes place on the Hail Mary spacecraft, which the movie brings to life through a complex set with a variety of rooms. Each area has their own unique accompaniment, ranging from advanced technology that allows samples to be examined to a giant pilot’s chair with an endless array of buttons and switches that allow the ship to function. The movie places viewers directly into the Hail Mary, taking them aboard for the ride through every step of the journey.

The camera work itself is also gorgeous, especially when it travels outside the Hail Mary and into the depths of the galaxy. The movie makes use of a variety of colors which add a sense of beauty to the picture, ranging from a mysterious green planet to a glistening red backdrop, while still showcasing the sheer openness of the vacuum of space. 

Without spoiling what happens, there’s one particular scene close to the third act which sees Grace step outside the spacecraft to collect an important sample. This sequence alone made the film worth the price of admission, as I was flabbergasted from how beautiful it was to look at. 

But the eyes are not the only ones who get spoiled by the film’s technical aspects, as it also has a fantastic musical score. Composed by Daniel Pemberton, the best way I can describe this film’s compositions is absolutely beautiful. Each track feels orchestral in its own unique way, implementing a number of different instruments, paces, and tones to make the film as realistic as possible. Whether it illustrates whimsiness, fear, or general beauty, the score served as a perfect backdrop to the movie’s onscreen events, and made the experience all the more enamoring.

This movie has an impeccable approach to its technical aspects, which not only help the film to tell an effective story, but also make it one of the most stunning features I’ve seen in a theater this whole decade. 

Houston, We Have a Masterpiece

Overall, though its runtime may appear intimidating, Project Hail Mary is one of the most mindblowing science-fiction films to come out in recent times. Through its compelling story, loveable protagonists, effective balance of humor and heart, beautiful music, outstanding visuals, and committed performances, this movie cements itself as an early contender for one of the best features of 2026 that had my jaw on the floor the entire time. 

If you’re a fan of the sci-fi genre, Lord and Miller’s previous works, or stylistic and heartfelt films, this is a must-watch in every meaning of the term. Project Hail Mary is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including locally at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Mansfield. If you want to see a movie that’s equal parts fun, gorgeous, and emotional, this is the perfect film for you!

I anticipated greatness from this movie, but it provided one of the most beautiful theatrical experiences I’ve attended in a while, grabbing hold of my expectations and transporting them out of this world.

My Rating