Review | Project Hail Mary (2026)

“Project Hail Mary is one of the finest films we’ve seen for a long time. With heart, charm, fun, drama, and comedy, the film is Project Wow!”

Ok, so it has finally happened. I’m a massive science fiction fan. Many times, I’ve been amazed by the ideas that writers and directors have brought to life in the genre. However, one of my particular favourite movies happens to be Silent Running from 1971. The Bruce Dern movie still thrills me to this day, with its timely message of climate change and our effects on the Earth. With its loveable robots. Hewey and Dewey, the film is wonderful, even with its ending. To this day, the film never fails to have me weeping buckets by the climax. I always thought that a science fiction film could never top it or make me cry at the end. I was wrong.

Project Hail Mary is the film that has broken that unbeaten fifty-five-year streak. To say it is wonderful, charming, heart-warming and emotional doesn’t do it justice. It is so much more than that. Featuring a brilliantly superb lead performance by Ryan Gosling, the film hits the audience in the heart, pulling those heartstrings with ease, while it also amazes them with some dazzling set pieces and special effects. To say this is the kind of movie IMAX was made for would be an understatement. This is one of the finest films we have seen on the big screen in a very long time.

PREMISE

Astronaut Ryland Grace awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of himself or his mission. He realises that he is the only survivor of a crew dispatched to the Tau Ceti system with the mission of saving Earth from disaster. To accomplish this, Grace must tap into his extensive scientific knowledge, use his ingenuity, and harness his human willpower. Along the way, he discovers he isn’t alone; he receives help from an alien he names Rocky, who is also on a mission to rescue his own world from a similar fate.

THOUGHTS

There are no words that I can say that will adequately convey what lies in store for the audience. This isn’t some mindless spectacle that takes over the big screen with its CGI, big-budget names and audience-pleasing script. This is a well-constructed project that has been thoughtfully planned, effectively executed, and skillfully delivered. Throughout the film, you can see the dedication, heart, and love that have gone into it. Drew Goddard brings Andy Weir’s novel to life in an epic adaptation that truly showcases what the big screen is all about. This film delivers a larger-than-life experience, offering dazzling visuals and superior entertainment.

The film’s heart is also massive. It knows exactly where it’s going, what it’s doing, and is something that the audience will never expect. Instead of being mindless, bringing spectacle after spectacle, it takes its time, building up the emotion, carefully plotting its course through the stars and its story. When the spectacle does come, we are completely blown away by it. Again, this is something that asks, if not demands, to be seen on the big screen. Forget waiting for streaming and PVOD, this is the kind of film whose passion, scale, and sheer amazement will be diminished on the TV, mobile phone, laptop, or tablet screen.

RYAN GOSLING

Ryan Gosling takes the lead role as Dr Ryland Grace. Gosling is always watchable and enjoyable in any role he takes on. Here, he excels himself. His portrayal of Grace is absolutely incredible. From the very second we first meet him, he draws us to him like a moth to a flame. Not knowing who he is, where he is, or what he’s doing there, Gosling is completely likeable in these early scenes. Slowly, like peeling an onion, we get to discover who and what he is, why he is there, and what he needs to do. When he discovers his two crewmates dead, instead of panicking and running around like a headless chicken, Grace honourably moves their bodies to the airlock and gives them a moving, respectful funeral in space.

As the story develops, Grace meets the alien lifeform he affectionately calls Rocky, after the Sylvester Stallone character. From this point on, we see the bond, friendship and sheer enjoyment of the pair. Instead of being something that Grace can’t trust, he slowly attains a friendship with the creature, both helping each other and becoming companions in what is likely to be a one-way trip for them. These scenes, with Gosling acting alongside what is essentially a puppet, are heart-warming and emotional. This is one of the film’s strengths, the friendship between the pair, the fun and enjoyment both get out of being in each other’s company, is a sheer delight. Ryan Gosling, take a bow. You’ve knocked the character of Grace out of the park. This could, and rightfully should, be an Oscar-nominated performance at next year’s awards.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

The supporting cast is all wonderful in their roles. Kudos has to go to Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, Ryland’s superior and the head of the Hail Mary project. From the second we meet her, we feel she is a hard, pushy and unfeeling person. And we couldn’t be further from the truth. Stratt is desperate, knowing that the end of humanity is coming, and trying to find a way to stop it. Underneath her determination lies a warm, feeling heart. She knows that what and who she is sending into space on this vital mission will never return, that they will die in space.

Their sacrifice will ensure the continuation of the human race. But she is never at ease with this, coming across as unfeeling to her staff. But in a scene we never expect, we see her human and emotional side, making her team see her in a different light. Sandra Hüller excels in her role, bringing humanity to Stratt.

Lionel Boyce as Officer Steve Hatch also delivers a fine performance. When we first see him, we think that Hatch is another one of those gruff, no-nonsense types that are a stereotype of almost every movie genre there is. And again, we would be wrong. Instead, Hatch becomes a friendly, almost best pal to Grace, allowing himself to laugh and get close to the scientist, despite the nature of the job he holds. In these scenes, Gosling and Boyce play off each other superbly, playfully acting the fools at times, and become yet another highlight of the film. Hatch makes Boyce extremely likeable, a character that we are usually wary of, but come to love as the plot plays out.

“ROCKY”

And now we come to Rocky. Prepare to fall in love with him as he becomes one of the most lovable and charismatic alien creatures we have ever encountered. Played magnificently by James Ortiz as both the voice and lead puppeteer of Rocky, we are enthralled by him whenever he is on screen. We laugh with him, feel for him, enjoy him whenever we see him, and we cry over him. His story mirrors Grace’s almost exactly, becoming a kindred spirit to the scientist as well as his friend. Just after the midway point, we see that each would make the ultimate sacrifice for the other in such a moving and emotional way. Who would ever think we’d get this invested and emotional over a rock? Guess what? We do here. Ortiz and his puppeteers bring the creature to life brilliantly, making him a memorable character in his own right.

NO SPOILERS

Without resorting to spoilers, something happens to Rocky at around the midway point. This fills us with sadness and despair. We find ourselves not bearing the thought that the lovable rock may not see the end credits, that he will perish in front of us. In a kind of way, Rocky’s journey almost mirrors that of E.T, and look how much that made us cry. We want to see Rocky survive, return home to his own planet, and live his life in peace and safety. Yes, we are talking about a rock puppet, but the emotion we feel is very real. The fear we have for him hits home in a way that we would never expect.

While the human supporting cast is all welcome and enjoyable, it is Rocky that becomes the star of the show, the companion that we all need. It is he that we want to hold our hand as we manoeuvre throughout the story. The relationship between him and Grace is so emotional, so moving, that we find ourselves smiling in genuine delight at the scenes they share. If, and I say IF, some toy manufacturer out there gets to make a toy version of him, it will sell like hot cakes. And that isn’t exclusively for kids either. I myself would buy at least three of him, to add to my collection.

VERDICT

Project Hail Mary is one of the finest films we’ve seen for a long time. With heart, charm, fun, drama, and comedy, the film is Project Wow! Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have delivered a masterpiece of filmmaking. With Drew Goddard’s script and their own desire to make something extraordinary, they have achieved what could already be a leading Oscar contender for next year.

The heart the film has beating under its chest, the emotion it contains, the fun there is to be had, and the comedic aspects of the relationship between Grace and Rocky all combine into something that needs to be seen to be believed. No, scratch that. It needs to be seen to be experienced, for that is what the film is: an experience, akin to lightning in a bottle. You’ve caught it once; you may catch it again. But it is almost impossible to catch again.

AN EXPERIENCE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

With Daniel Pemberton contributing an excellent, emotional and winning score to go alongside the film, it all adds up to an experience you’ll never forget. It isn’t only a visual feast at times; it isn’t really a science fiction film at all. In fact, it is a film about friendship, camaraderie, the will and desire to survive, and the relationship between two beings from differing worlds who come together to solve a complex problem that affects them both. It is a masterful exploration of friendship and humanity. A human story wrapped around a sci-fi film, it holds our hearts until the final frame. Vibrant and humbling, this is filmmaking at its very finest. A complete masterpiece.

Project Hail Mary will be in UK cinemas on March 19th, courtesy of Sony Pictures and in U.S. cinemas on March 20th, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.  See it first in cinemas from Sat 14 & Sun 15 March.

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Carl Roberts

Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.

He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.