Project Hail Mary (2026)

By: Mike Ward on Friday, March 20

PG-13 Running Time: 156 mins

SHOULD I SEE IT?

YES

  • Ryan Gosling owns Project Hail Mary with charm, vulnerability, and emotional authenticity…

  • … And then an alien named Rocky almost steals the movie right out from under him. He’s your kids’ favorite new movie character. Guaranteed.

  • A big, expansive crowd-pleaser through and through. Project Hail Mary faithfully adapts the best-selling novel into a massive movie that is hard not to like a lot.

NO

  • At 156 minutes, perhaps the film could have trimmed some of the extended moments and diversions it makes for a tighter and more concise viewing experience.

  • A few too many ideas and concepts threaten to overwhelm the viewing experience. As a result, some may find the film overstuffed and hard to navigate.

  • At times, the movie struggles to consistently make the switch from dramatic, science-fiction adventure to two-character buddy comedy. For those who are expecting more of one than the other, the movie might become frustrating as a result.


OUR REVIEW

Ryan Gosling finds humanity in the darkest reaches of outer space in Project Hail Mary, a visionary science-fiction film about isolation more than 11 light years from home. Adapted from the best-selling novel by Andy Weir (The Martian), this 156-minute space drama/comedy/adventure rests almost entirely on Gosling’s shoulders, and he proves more than capable of carrying the load.

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return to live action for the first time since 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street. After working primarily in animation and television during that time, the sense of limitlessness carries over here. Project Hail Mary is massive in scope, with a hearty blend of humor, emotion, and big-budget spectacle. The film is both a confident science-fiction film and a story that explores the intimacy of connection and friendship. Those tonal shifts may not always align, but audiences will nonetheless find this an absolute crowd-pleaser.

Gosling portrays Dr. Ryland Grace, who awakens from hypersleep on a spaceship, disoriented and lacking any memory of how he has arrived in his current situation. Similar to Weir’s novel, Grace slowly gets his memories back through a series of flashbacks. A former molecular biologist turned middle school teacher, he is recruited by Eva (Sandra Hüller), a guarded, deadpan, and quite serious leader overseeing “Hail Mary.” a government project attempting to save Earth from an inevitable solar catastrophe.

Written by Drew Goddard, who also adapted Weir’s The Martian for the big screen, the film’s non-linear structure builds mystery as Grace pieces together an understanding of how to survive within this environment. Gosling is indeed a gifted actor - able to convey humor, vulnerability, and loneliness, while also being incredibly charming and humble. In virtually every scene, he delivers a performance that keeps us engaged and rooting for him to find meaning and purpose in almost impossible circumstances. 

Lord and Miller craft this as a sci-fi epic meant for the biggest screens possible. Shot with IMAX-ready cameras, the movie hooks you with a probing, inquisitive eye, thanks to Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser (Dune). The film’s array of stunning visual effects show us both the infinite nature of space, and, in a few comedic moments, some intentionally clunky practical effects work.

Even in its most outlandish sequences, there is an authenticity that makes this consistently engaging. And when we become interested in Grace’s environment, we are drawn deeper into a story analyzing themes of isolation, survival, and sacrifice. These concepts are not new - Weir’s The Martian explores these same things. Gosling’s ability to develop great characters and create chemistry with anyone, or anything, is where this film really excels. 

It is no spoiler to share that Project Hail Mary eventually evolves into a buddy story. Rocky, an alien creature encountered when Grace’s ship comes into contact with a massive floating spacecraft, becomes the film’s secret weapon. Voiced and operated by famed puppeteer James Ortiz, the two characters bond over a mutual need for connection. Their evolving friendship is undeniably engaging and cements an emotional core to the film that will likely resonate with any audience and all ages. 

However, Rocky also signifies a narrative shift that showcases some of the film’s inconsistencies. As the film extends its running time, the film feels somewhat overstuffed with detours and extended sequences that slow down the film’s propulsive momentum. 

Still, in the audience I sat with, each feel good moment saw the crowd invested deeply in the viewing experience. Project Hail Mary, for its occasional diversions, often returns to center - largely because of Gosling’s compelling performance and Lord and Miller’s far-reaching imagination. 

While not perfectly balanced, Project Hail Mary remains a heartfelt, emotional journey worth exploring. Led by a standout lead performance and irresistible scene-stealing companion, the film reminds us that even in the farthest depths of our universe, connection is what gives us all meaning.

CAST & CREW

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Priya Kansara, Orion Lee, Mia Soteriou

Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Written by: Drew Goddard
Based on the novel “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Amazon MGM Studios