Review by Chris Rennirt
Molecular biologist Dr. Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher, wakes up alone on a spaceship light years from Earth, with no memory of his identity or how he wound up where he is. He discovers, eventually, that he is on a desperate mission to save humanity from an extinction-level event caused by microorganisms draining the Sun’s energy. Alongside an alien named Rocky, Grace must form an unlikely friendship to find a solution to save both of their worlds. And such is the synopsis of Project Hail Mary–easily the best science fiction film in recent years and, just as easily, one of the best films of any genre from 2026. Because of this, I will, at the expense of forgoing a better analysis, go light on details and omit what could reveal too much. It’s simply too good to be spoiled by knowing too much.
Why is Project Hail Mary such a wonderful film? First, it’s a multi-genre film that includes elements of about everything: we have human and extraterrestrial drama, poignant, full of emotional depth; we have grand cosmic mystery and adventure, discovering and fighting an unknown force, desperately seeking to stop it; we have comedy galore, very effective and unexpected, always keeping things from getting too clinical and matter of fact; we even have moments of fantasy, born from the wonders of space, infinite and often magical, in the mind as much as in reality. What’s lacking is almost nothing, except horror–all the better absent in this one.
As for the story, it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Yes, sci-fi films about last ditch attempts to save Earth and humanity from destruction are too numerous to count. But Project Hail Mary is different. And that’s what makes it all the more special. It takes a done-to-death theme and makes its own new, refreshing story, letting the movie thrive rather than killing it with clichés. I know we’ve also seen stories about the sun dying, needing to be saved to save us all. But again, this one is different, in spite of the odds against it–for a poetic connection to its title. Also interesting and effective is the way the story is told through a series of flashbacks and “flashforwards,” weaving together a tightly bound, cohesive story, devoid of the confusion such chronological movement often creates.
As a stellar part of what’s great, I must mention the acting of all involved, most especially that of the movie’s star Ryan Gosling. What a force of raw emotion, laying bare the most human of human within us all, selfless at times, and just as selfish at others. Evolving throughout the story in believable ways, through experiences we can relate to, Gosling nails every nuance of Dr. Ryland Grace. I know it can be a cliché to say you can’t imagine anyone else with the role. But I’m saying it here again, just as honestly as I always do. Sandra Hüller, as Eva Stratt, the scientist who recruits Grace, delivers another standout performance. Her performance adds a hardened, humanity-first, thinking for the good of the world, in contrast to the myopic, self-centeredness she must overcome. Hüller, with subtleties of acting and calm force, gives Stratt just the character she needs to avoid being a villain and be the secondary hero she needs to be. And Rocky, a most truly valuable character himself, is one deserving of his own paragraph (and that’s next!).
Project Hail Mary is among the best of movies also because its special effects are top tier. Nothing leaves you thinking, distracted, by the dreaded “That looks fake” thought. Here, outer space light years away, alien worlds, and cosmic adventure have their own atmosphere and uniqueness–one we inhabit as viewers with disbelief fully suspended. The alien–a practical-effects puppet, sometimes CGI enhanced, sometimes totally CGI–is a mix of a masterful craft, as visually real and alive as any human actor in every scene. “Rocky,” as he is called, although certainly a challenge as an alien of his nature, needing viewable emotions and character. But, he is certainly an alien that meets the challenge, thanks to the entire team of FX artists. The creature was designed by Neal Scanlan; Visual effects and CGI augmentation (such as rolling sequences, wire/puppeteer removal, and digital touch-ups) were provided by Framestore, with animation work led by Senior Animation Supervisor Arslan Elver. To top it all off, the physical puppet was voiced by Broadway puppeteer James Ortiz, giving Dr. Ryland Grace a real scene partner who is really there, believable, truly animated with voice, life, and feelings. With the magic of Scanlan, Framestore, Ortiz’s voice, and the many SFX artists involved, Rocky is a character as physically there and real as any human in the movie!
“Anyone can be brave. You just need someone to be brave for.” ~ Yao
As for Rocky the alien, we have another refreshing quality! Rather than being an anthropomorphic, bipedal human–or worse a literal human with only makeup or a prosthetic making him/her/it an alien–Rocky is a true alien of the most alien kind. As the greatest compliment, perhaps, he’s an alien who is also unlike any I’ve seen or imagined before. And that’s saying a lot–especially with all of the dreaded faux, not-really-alien aliens in the Star Trek universe. Yes, I know I’m pissing some people off saying that. But I don’t care. It’s true.
Another wonderful thing about Project Hail Mary is that it doesn’t do the predictable things most movies of all genres do with their heroes, anxious or reluctant as they may be. Grace doesn’t jump in to save the day, nor is he talked into it, even with repeated pleas and reasoning. Grace is a reluctant hero of a different kind not seen before by me in any other movie. Perhaps I just haven’t watched enough movies, but I doubt it.
Project Hail Mary is also exceptional in how the movie was adapted from Andy Weir‘s novel by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and screenwriter Drew Goddard. In a behind-the-scenes featurette on the movie’s 4K release, they talked about how important it was to preserve every aspect of the novel’s content, feel, and presentation. Since I have not read the novel, I cannot speak to how well the film matches it. I can only say, enthusiastically, that the story as a film is amazing!
As for possible negatives, I’m only including this to be fair and balanced. I’ve heard, in at least one other review, that the movie has what author Norman Spinrad called “Rubber Science.” It’s a term he coined for fictional, pseudo-scientific explanations that bend or break real-world laws of physics, biology, chemistry, astrophysics, etc., while maintaining enough internal logic to keep you invested…or perhaps confused enough not to know better. I can only say that at no point in the movie did I find the science distracting, obviously “Rubber” or soft. No. I am not a biologist, a chemist, or an astrophysicist, but I am far from ignorant of related facts. Saying this with risk of criticism, I am college educated with more than one degree (and I have even excelled in college-level astronomy classes), and I was distracted by nothing about the movie’s science.
The pacing is tight, and every scene is necessary. Even moments with less action do not bore or add fluff. Deleted scenes on the movie’s 4K release, while interesting to watch as extras, were deleted for reasons obviously related to pacing. For example, a particularly humorous montage of Grace putting on his space suit, while a fun watch, would surely have slowed things down at a cost. Cinematography is awe-inspiring, giving us grand views of the universe and all of its wonders, feeling limitless, going beyond the borders of the screen.
As a counter to the possible nit-pick criticism of science, I found nothing negative about Project Hail Mary, although I tried. I’d actually call it epic–a grand space adventure in the tradition of Interstellar and The Martian, with one big exception: I liked it better. All along the way, right up to the end, I was engaged and captivated. I never checked the time, never nodded off (although up way past my bedtime), and I never checked my phone once! Best of all, it’s a film journey light years away, full of atmosphere, adventure, hope, love, heroism, and a friendship of the strongest, most unlikely kind. What more could you ask for? Never since ET has my “heart light” been turned on more!
Rocket Rating – 10
Chris Rennirt (the author of this review) is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews and in Effective Magazine.