Project Hail Mary Review: Lord & Miller’s Transcendent Jewel Brings The Joy Of Discovery Back To Sci-Fi

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Some people claim genuine selflessness doesn’t exist, suggesting every kind act has a selfish element. But does feeling good about helping others invalidate that help? If you enjoy giving, does that make your kindness less meaningful? Maybe we’re naturally built to feel good when contributing to something larger than ourselves – perhaps by design, through evolution or some other force. It’s a beautiful idea, isn’t it?

This film really throws a fascinating wrench into the classic ‘what would you do?’ thought experiment. It asks what happens when you’re not just making a choice for yourself, but are asked to help others, even when it goes against your own instincts. What I loved about Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel is its gentle reminder that true character isn’t about avoiding sacrifice, but about willingly putting others’ needs before your own. It’s a beautifully observed idea, and the film really gets at the heart of what makes us human.

The new film by Lord and Miller is truly impressive. The script, written by Drew Goddard (who also adapted The Martian), has the grand scope of films like Interstellar and 2001: A Space Odyssey, but also the heartwarming touch of movies like E.T. and Planes, Trains & Automobiles. The filmmakers behind The Lego Movie have created a film that honestly addresses our shared worries about the planet’s future, while still managing to be fun, funny, and inspiring.

Project Hail Mary Is Destined For The All-Time Great Sci-Fi Movie Pantheon

Goddard’s screenplay successfully captures the underlying optimism of the original novel. For a large part of the film, the directors allow the audience to comfortably experience the engaging and hands-on process of scientific research and experimentation. This is somewhat surprising, given the film’s bleak setup: the sun is fading, causing Earth’s temperatures to plummet and leading to widespread crop failures and animal extinctions. As food production and delivery systems break down, the remaining structure of society will likely collapse as well.

It’s terrifying to think about, but it seems we’re facing extinction – likely within thirty years. And the really bleak part is, according to Eva Stratt, a woman involved with a new global organization, there’s almost no chance world leaders will cooperate to prevent it. She’s trying to figure out why this strange, bacteria-like alien life form is draining the sun’s energy – apparently just to make trips to Venus and back! – but whatever their reason, it’s devastating for us here on Earth. It’s just… a really hopeless situation, as she sees it.

Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher played by Gosling, is unexpectedly sought out by Stratt for help. Years ago, as a researcher, Grace proposed the controversial idea that alien life might not need water to exist. While his theory was dismissed by most, it now appears he could have been right – or at least, his knowledge is valuable. Despite initially objecting, Grace is soon forced to work in a secret lab, studying a strange alien life form called the “astrophage,” which looks like tiny tapioca pearls.

The story unfolds mostly through flashbacks. In the present, Grace finds himself alone on a spaceship, lost in another star system. He’s just woken up from a coma with no memory of how he arrived. His long beard and hair give him a resemblance to images of Jesus Christ, a fitting look considering the sacrifice he’s making for the future of humankind. Despite his amnesia, Grace retains a strong scientific background and, between fragmented memories, begins to piece together his mission and why he’s so far from Earth.

For a good portion of Project Hail Mary, the audience learns about Grace’s history as he does, creating a strong sense that we’re right there with him on a baffling spaceship and mission. This approach is both overwhelming and surprisingly enjoyable. The film proves that complex science—like advanced math and physics—can be visually exciting, and Daniel Pemberton’s upbeat music perfectly complements this feeling. The score evokes the same sense of delight in learning that you might remember from classic Schoolhouse Rock videos – it’s the sound of pure intellectual curiosity.

As a sci-fi fan, I’ve noticed a lot of recent films, like Ad Astra, lean into a pretty bleak outlook, focusing on disaster and a loss of hope – a far cry from the optimism of something like Star Trek. But Project Hail Mary feels different. It doesn’t shy away from the serious issues facing us, but it actually argues that we can solve them – through effort and learning. It could easily have felt cheesy or overly sentimental, but honestly, it’s just incredibly refreshing, inspiring, and genuinely moving. It’s a beautiful reminder of what sci-fi can be.

Ryan Gosling delivers what is easily his most captivating performance to date. The acting legend Konstantin Stanislavsky believed even simple actions, like combing hair, could be compelling if performed with genuine emotion. Considering Gosling spends the majority of the film alone on a spaceship, meticulously working and studying, his charisma brilliantly proves Stanislavsky’s point. If a person’s inner world is vast and complex, then spending two and a half hours with Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, is a truly rewarding experience.

Even without the beautiful visuals or the stunning space setting, Project Hail Mary would still captivate you with its powerful and clear message: human connection is essential for survival. The film emphasizes that we need more than just physical existence – we need purpose, especially when facing extinction. We continue to live through art, communication, and the bonds we form with others, even strangers. Ultimately, Project Hail Mary asks a simple question: would you fight for someone you don’t know? Would you even sacrifice yourself for them? And the answer, the film suggests, is an obvious yes – because that’s what it means to be human.

Project Hail Mary releases theatrically in IMAX on March 20th, 2026.

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2026-03-10 16:19