Project Hail Mary is a flawless 5-star adaptation that delivers the year’s best character

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Regardless of whether you enjoy the movie Project Hail Mary, you’re guaranteed to have Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times’ stuck in your head for days, and you’ll likely fall in love with Rocky, the adorable, rock-like alien. It’s a shame Rocky isn’t the one singing the song, but it’s fun to imagine!

Okay, so let me tell you about Project Hail Mary. It starts with me – well, actually, with Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling – waking up on a spaceship totally confused. I have no clue how I got there or what my mission is. As things start coming back to me, I realize it’s a huge deal: I’m humanity’s last hope! There’s this weird thing happening with the sun, and I need to figure out why it’s fading before it’s too late. It’s based on the book by Andy Weir, and it’s a wild ride!

I was really surprised when, even though Grace seemed totally on his own at first, he actually befriended that alien we heard about earlier! It turned into this awesome buddy adventure, but it’s also a huge, epic sci-fi story, and honestly, it’s a perfect translation of the book I loved. It’s like they took everything great about the novel and just nailed it in the game.

Just like with The Martian, Drew Goddard was tasked with turning Andy Weir’s complex, science-filled novel into a movie. Though the film runs for 156 minutes, it feels fast-paced and engaging. Goddard managed to simplify the story, focusing more on the characters’ feelings and less on the detailed scientific explanations.

Okay, so if you’ve read the book, you won’t be totally shocked by the movie, but the script does throw in a few fun bits – seriously, there’s a karaoke scene with ‘Sign of the Times’ that’ll get stuck in your head! The story jumps back and forth between the present and Grace’s life before the mission, which is pretty cool. And if you get to see it on IMAX? Even better – they switch between different screen sizes for space and Earth scenes, which is a really immersive touch.

If you enjoyed the book for its detailed and realistic science, you might not love this adaptation. Key discoveries are shown quickly, and many of the scientific details have been simplified. As a result, some of the smaller characters from the book are also left out.

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Most readers probably connected with the relationship between Grace and Rocky more than with the scientific details, and the film wisely prioritizes their story over lengthy scenes of Grace working in the lab.

Even if you’re familiar with the book, the movie still delivers powerful emotional scenes. The filmmakers chose to use real, practical effects to create Rocky – brought to life by puppeteer James Ortiz and his team – which makes the bond between Grace and Rocky feel truly authentic.

Rocky is a truly captivating character, and even before the fantastic voice acting by Ortiz – who perfectly balances innocence and wit – you instantly understand his thoughts and feelings. You’ll quickly fall for this charming, rock-shaped alien and wish you could have a Rocky of your own. It’s difficult to picture any other movie character in 2026 becoming a new favorite quite like Rocky.

Rocky isn’t the only compelling character; Ryan Gosling delivers a charming performance as Grace, and their connection is a key part of the film. The movie leans into comedy with Grace, showcasing Gosling’s talent, but it also doesn’t avoid the story’s more serious themes, staying true to the original book.

Even with a fantastic performance by Ryan Gosling, no amount of acting talent could overshadow the character of Rocky in this story. You’ll finish reading Project Hail Mary wanting to share the special greeting from the book – a ‘fist bump’ – and finding yourself excitedly repeating ‘amaze amaze amaze’ whenever something good happens.

The movie Project Hail Mary relies heavily on real sets and LED screens instead of relying on green screen technology, which greatly enhances the visuals. This approach delivers stunning scenes of space and exciting action sequences, making the film feel both grand in scope – like a classic sci-fi epic – and deeply personal, as it’s also a story about an unlikely friendship and saving humanity.

In the end, the adaptation of Project Hail Mary successfully pleases existing fans—it’s clear the creators deeply care about the story—and also welcomes new readers. No matter your familiarity with the book, you’ll find yourself rooting for the Hail Mary’s mission.

You can see Project Hail Mary in UK cinemas from March 19th. Early screenings will be available on Saturday, March 14th and Sunday, March 15th.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant 100-page tribute to Harry Styles, is now available! You can find it at newsstands or purchase it online.

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2026-03-10 16:21