REVIEW: ‘Project Hail Mary’ is a Must See This Weekend
Ryan Gosling returns to the big screen in Amazon MGM Studios new movie, Project Hail Mary. Based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir, the movie finds middle school science teacher, Ryland Grace (Gosling) waking up in Space with no memory on how he got there. As the story progresses, we slowly learn that Grace was recruited by government operative, Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), to be part of a group of scientists tasked with saving Earth’s dying sun. Named, “astrophage”, this unknown organism is slowly eating away at the sun’s radiation, which could lead to mass extinction on Earth. As Grace attempts to understand the “astrophage”, he comes in contact with an extraterritorial being whose planet is also being affected by the organism. Now, the two of them most team up to figure out how to stop this organism before it destroys both of their planets.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Spider-Verse franchise), Project Hail Mary is a cosmic adventure audiences need to see in theaters. Told through flashbacks and present day, the duo easily navigates these scenes by using gravity defying transitions that are just as entertaining as the story. The movie has just enough science in it for science lovers, but not too much to lose those less enthused by it. It is filled with tons of heart and comedic one-liners from both Gosling and his extraterrestrial friend, Rocky. Lord and Miller have created a movie for everyone, regardless of age. Not only do you learn something, but you have fun while doing it.
What is also resonates throughout the film is the refreshing take on not utilizing no green screens or blue screens. Lord and Miller relied heavily on practical effects and built sets throughout the film, which brought a more realistic viewing experience for audience members. Too often than not, productions are relying on the use of green screens and blue screens to build a set, which then requires the actors to imagine that an object or character is when them in a scene. In some cases, that strategy really pays off. In others, the line between fake and real is so wide that viewers 100% no that what they are seeing is fake. With Lord and Miller opting to remove that technique entirely, not only does Gosling seem more at comfortable in his scenes, but the film feels almost as though it could or has happened.
Gosling leads the story and proves why he one of the last leading men in Hollywood. His performance is charming and heartwarming, making the audience wish they were physically in space with him. Gosling holds the weight of this movie in his hands, and this movie is in great hands. James Ortiz voices Rocky and is wonderful alongside Gosling. His strait-laced tone created a character audiences won’t help but love. Like E.T., Rocky will become a staple in many households going forward. Hüller rounds out the cast as Eva, but she doesn’t have the same pull as Gosling or Ortiz. She does just enough for the audiences to feel for her character, while at the same time not really care for her.
We are only three months into 2026m, but Project Hail Mary is the movie we all need right now. It will also easily land in audience goers Top 10 movies of 2026. Project Hail Mary is what blockbusters are made of. Filled with a remarkable lead, great dialogue, and a fun story, this movie needs to be seen in theaters, preferably in IMAX. This is a movie you don’t want to wait until it releases to streaming. Save that for your second, third, fourth, etc. watch. Go see this movie this weekend, it will be well worth it!
Grade: A