Movie: Project Hail Mary
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Runtime: 2 hours, 36 minutes
Genres: Science fiction, Drama
Rating: A+
“Project Hail Mary” is about the biggest long shot in the history of the universe, but the film doesn’t need a Hail Mary to be great; it just needs a talking rock and Ryan Gosling.
An ambitious film with complicated scientific ideas and an intricate plot, “Project Hail Mary” is able to speak to audiences through its flawed hero and the universal power of friendship. It’s a heartwarming tale of unlikely friends whose long-shot journey will make you laugh, cry and hug your loved ones a little tighter.
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up in a spaceship many light-years from Earth with no memory of how he got there. As memories begin to become less foggy, it’s revealed that the Earth’s sun is dying along with all the other stars in the universe, except for one. In one final attempt to prevent an apocalyptic disaster, Grace must go across space and time on a Hail Mary mission.
While adjusting to life alone on his ship as well as his mission, Grace encounters another life form in Rocky (James Ortiz), an alien who is also trying to save his planet and is alone in space. Together, the two must overcome the significant differences of their species and the language barrier to work together and save their worlds.
Gosling is phenomenal in his role as Grace, a quirky, flawed and incredibly human protagonist. He is often the only human presence on screen and absolutely carries the film on his back. Grace is incredibly easy to root for, even though you know he is far from perfect. Gosling gives a humorous performance in the film but is equally good at being vulnerable and emotional to ground the more serious moments.
The absolute star of the show is Rocky, who, despite having an appearance far from seeming human, is actually one of the most human characters in the film. He is fun, charming and adorable, and you’ll find yourself shocked at how much you could love a rock. He doesn’t have a face, but what he lacks in facial expressions, his personality more than makes up for. He brings joy and light to the film and shows that friends are those who comfort you in your darkest moments when all seems hopeless.
Grace and Rocky’s chemistry is incredible, especially considering Rocky is portrayed with a real-life puppet, with Ortiz voicing the character and puppeteering him. Their friendship is the heart of the film, and you buy into how much they care for each other due to the incredible work of Gosling and Ortiz. They carry the film together and prove that the most unlikely friendships can make the most wholesome stories.
Whether the fundamental properties of life have always fascinated you or you’re just here for the friendship, “Project Hail Mary” stimulates scientists while also making it easy for everyone to follow along. The doomsday scenario begins when a microscopic alien microbe, known as Astrophage, threatens all life on Earth with its ability to feed on stars, including Earth’s sun.
Obstacles in discovering a solution follow real scientific reasoning, with accurate principles that reflect how scientists might react if this dystopia were to ring true. Rocky and Grace’s friendship is also built on the universal language of science, despite their significant differences. This just goes to show the unified power of science that brings worlds together.
The film’s soundtrack, with a score by Daniel Pemberton and radio hits, transports you through universes with classics ranging in genres. With features from the Beatles' “Two of Us” and Harry Styles' “Sign of the Times,” the emphasis on emotion-pulling songs does not go overlooked. The choice of music complements the dramatic cinema while also leaving room for the comedic friendship being built in each scene.
Greig Frasier’s cinematography is also worthy of praise, as it is stunning and completely immerses you in the world. The outer space shots are some of the most technically gorgeous put to film and will leave you in awe.
The film could easily be weighed down by its basis in physics or its complex story, but instead, these serve to supplement one of films greatest friendships. When it comes to the technical, there’s a lot to praise about “Project Hail Mary,” but the biggest takeaway for any viewer will be the endearing friendship of two unlikely souls.
Grace and Rocky are strong characters, and their bond is what sells the film. You’re not just rooting for them because it’s important they save their worlds, but because you deeply care about them and their connection. Despite being based in so much science, “Project Hail Mary” ultimately flies high due to wearing its heart on its sleeve in its deeply human story and heartwarming friendship.