In 2021, science fiction writer Andy Weir released his third novel, Project Hail Mary, which garnered widespread critical acclaim. One year before the book’s publication, MGM announced that it had acquired the film rights for $3 million. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were hired to direct, but commitments on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse prevented them from writing. Instead, Drew Goddard, who earned an Oscar nomination for adapting Weir’s The Martian, would put together the screenplay. With a budget of $248 million, filming took place at Shepperton Studios from June to October 2024. While there would be plenty of digital effects, Lord and Miller wanted to include as many practical effects as possible. In addition to producing, Ryan Gosling would star alongside Sandra Hüller, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and Liz Kingsman. After an extensive post-production period, Project Hail Mary launched into theaters in March 2026.
%
Rating
Synopsis
A lone man wakes up from a coma in a space station millions of light-years from Earth with no memory. Slowly, he remembers that his name is Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), and he’s a molecular biologist turned middle school teacher. Back home, a molecular lifeform called Astrophage was slowly eating away at The Sun, potentially leading to global cooling. In response, government agent Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) recruits Grace to study Astrophage and figure out how to stop it. Grace soon learns about Project Hail Mary, a near-suicidal mission to investigate Tau Ceti, the only nearby star that’s healthy. Back on the station, Grace encounters a rock-like alien he nicknames “Rocky,” who’s also trying to stop the Astrophage. Despite the language barrier and different atmospheric conditions, they must work together to save their home planets. Will they find a solution, or will they die trying?
Review
Although it’s early in the year, I believe Project Hail Mary is a contender for the best film of 2026. In a world full of dread and uncertainty, this is the kind of movie to inspire a more hopeful outlook. While many filmmakers try to blend drama with humor but fail, Lord and Miller show why they’re among the best. There’s never a moment where they feel the need to ruin an otherwise serious scene with an out-of-place joke. The humor feels natural and well-placed rather than being shoehorned in to defuse tension, letting the drama play out. Also, the science presented is realistic and approachable rather than sounding far-fetched or full of technobabble. Much like a passionate science teacher, this film presents complex scientific concepts in a relatable way that inspires curiosity. I wouldn’t be surprised if kids who see this movie take an interest in space travel.
Considering that most of the film focuses on him, Ryan Gosling has a lot of weight on his shoulders. Thankfully, he has the right amount of natural charisma and comedic timing to be a perfect leading man. He shows a lot of vulnerability as the everyman placed in an unenviable situation, forced to rely on his wits. It helps that his rock alien friend, brought to life by Oscar-winning effects artist Neal Scanlan, is phenomenal. Combined with puppeteering from James Ortiz, who also voiced Rocky, he feels like a real character. In an era dominated by CGI, seeing actors interacting with a physical puppet is a breath of fresh air. Though her screentime is limited, Sandra Hüller is great as the stern government agent who believes in Grace. She helps inspire Grace to continue his work, even when no one else takes him seriously.
I’m excited for when this hits 4K UHD and Blu-Ray, because there will no doubt be tons of making-of extras. Lord and Miller claimed that they didn’t use any green screen, so I’m curious about how they created these effects. The lighting feels natural rather than artificial, and Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser puts in the work. I’d almost recommend seeing this in IMAX to get a sense of scale with the visuals. At slightly over two and a half hours long, the film never feels slow and keeps you engaged throughout. Admittedly, I would’ve liked to spend more time with the other crew members, since we don’t know much about them. Even if some of the material feels familiar, this film retells it in a unique way that’s exciting and entertaining. Overall, Project Hail Mary is a fantastic sci-fi buddy comedy drama and easily one of 2026’s best movies.
Project Hail Mary is in theaters.
Where to watch Project Hail Mary (2026)
