Project Hail Mary (2026) – 9/10 – A Sci-Fi Epic That Transcends Humanity
Overall
Project Hail Mary is a space sci-fi adventure that brings Andy Weir’s novel to the big screen. Films come along once in a while that touch and inspire you. Such works show the power of cinema to unite people and ideas. Cinema is bigger than any individual and welcomes fresh ideas such as these. Within every profound work lies a message. The simple message here is that humankind can solve any problem it sets its mind to. As Mark Watney says in The Martian, “science the shit out of this.” We have the potential to transcend selfish individualism for the good of humanity. Often we lose sight of that prospect by thinking small, but such arts rejuvenate optimism in humanity. Beyond that, there’s also the unlikely, emotional friendship that transcends humanity (I won’t spoil).
While the script cut multiple events from the novel, it stays true to the original work. The themes include finding hope against the odds, ingenuity, friendship, survival, mortality, sacrifice, and the intrinsic want to connect. I’ll admit that the themes are humanity-centric, but it’s the only perspective we have. There’s no alternative alien experience for us to tap into. I expect this movie to get countless Oscar nominations and to win multiple. I won’t go into specific awards this should win because it’s way too early.
Would I recommend this?
Yes, I consider this a must-watch. I rarely give out 9s, and this is one of them. Project Hail Mary evoked a sense of awe similar to one of my favorites, Interstellar. The Martian and Inception are other movies worth mentioning. If you enjoyed those, definitely watch Project Hail Mary. It doesn’t surprise me to see the considerable appreciation this garnered at the movies. Weir sold the rights to this for $3 million in 2020, and it catapulted to almost $700 million in revenue within six weeks. Be sure to read the book. My rating is 9/10.
Plot (spoiler-free)
Molecular biologist and science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) awakens disoriented in a spaceship light-years away from Earth. Over time, his memory returns, including his reason for being out there. Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) oversaw the Earth program, and Grace set off with his astronaut trio (Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung). With Earth’s life at stake, Dr. Grace must put his skills to the test. The clock is ticking, and Earth’s life is counting on him.
Technicals
Project Hail Mary will be seen as one of this decade’s top films, especially when we consider the technicals. I loved the direction, script, performances, cinematography, set design, score, visuals, and editing. Ryan Gosling proves his brilliance and versatility in his solo act for most of the movie. With superb voice acting, our remarkable friend Rocky charms us. Rocky was played by a puppet, and editors digitally removed the puppet master during post-production. They didn’t use a green screen or extensive CGI for Rocky. I’m surprised how much of the emotional resonance translated onto the screen, something difficult to do. The supporting characters add a dimension and context to the story, which proved crucial.
I noted a few issues. First, the movie glosses over explanations and events, such as how Dr. Grace learned to communicate with Rocky. The book painstakingly detailed the challenges involved, which are missing in the movie. Multiple details will appear confusing to someone unfamiliar with the book. I skimmed through IMDb reviews before writing mine, and it became clear who the readers are. Do yourself a favor and pick up Weir’s novel for unanswered questions. Weir’s writing is accessible to non-sci-fi fans because he makes complex scientific concepts easy to comprehend. Second, the editing could be sharper. A few scenes drop in pacing and drag. You might note that I have editing as a strength, so it’s done well overall. Finally, the humor sometimes felt jarring, as though it would be better omitted. While it adds levity, it occasionally seems unnecessary.
*Obtained trivia facts from IMDb’s trivia page and plot/basic history/name information from Wiki
