written by: Drew Goddard
produced by: Amy Pascal, Ryan Gosling, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Aditya Sood, Rachel O’Connor & Andy Weir
directed by: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
rated: PG-13 (for some thematic material and suggestive references)
runtime: 156 min.
U.S. release date: March 20, 2026

Hail Mary, full of Grace! There’s a spacecraft called “The Hail Mary” floating light-years from Earth in a distant star system, and its sole occupant is Dr. Ryland Grace. He’s on a mission to figure out why the Sun is losing solar power and what can be done to reverse it so Earth can be saved. “Project Hail Mary” is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel, a story that deftly balances “hard science” details with relatable human emotions and problem-solving. Screenwriter Drew Goddard returns to Weir’s work after previously adapting 2015’s “The Martian”, and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller take the helm with the goal of creating an epic space exploration. It’s an immediately engaging story, involving a complicated mission, a confused albeit brilliant human, and a helpful alien, told with impressive production design and visual effects. Considering we don’t have too many sci-fi adventures with complex science and human behavior, “Project Hail Mary” is a welcome big-screen experience that reminds us of the possibilities of space travel and the transcendent potential of cinema.

It’s the first feature directed by Lord and Miller since 2014’s “22 Jump Street”, not counting their hands-on approach to overseeing production on the two stellar animated “Spider-Verse” movies, and the sequel to “The Lego Movie” (the latter they directed). Known for successfully incorporating quippy comedy into their kinetic adventure stories and catchy tunes, the duo is a good fit for Weir’s work, given the author’s humorous first-person perspective, a surprising highlight of the book.

As the Sun slowly loses power, it becomes clear that it will have a life-altering impact on Earth, bringing together world leaders and scientists to determine the best course of action. Their observation of the Sun dimming coincided with the formation of an infrared line from the Sun to Venus, which they called the Petrova line. This “dimming”, caused by a micro-organism known as Astrophage that feeds on electromagnetic radiation, is exponentially increasing its population on the Sun’s surface and will result in catastrophic global cooling of Earth within 30 years. Government agent Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) has been assigned as the leader of the Petrova Taskforce, a secret project that will require a spacecraft to travel to Tau Ceti to see why it’s the only star unaffected. It’s a one-way mission for three individuals with no attachments, and Stratt has recruited a pilot, Olesya Ilyukhina (Milana Vayntrub), and a commander, Yáo Li-Jie (Ken Leung). Now, all she needs is a scientist.

She finds one in former molecular biologist and current middle school teacher, Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), who, although his past research made him an expert on Astrophage, was disregarded and is the perfect, albeit second-choice, for the position. It’ll just take some convincing on Stratt’s part, considering Grace has a natural predeliction for cowardice.

Like the novel, “Project Hail Mary” opens with Grace waking up from cryonic sleep aboard the Hail Mary, disoriented and with amnesia. He’s unsure who he is, what he’s capable of, where he is, or why he’s there. Eventually, he realizes he’s in space, and notices the two bodies that never woke up were the crew members he barely remembers. As Weir seamlessly did, Goddard, Lord, and Miller use Grace’s gradually returning memory as essential flashbacks that fill in not only who Grace is but also how he became involved in this mission.

Learning about Grace’s past proves to be just as absorbing as watching him learn about himself and his surroundings in the present. Watching him teach his engaged students is charming and funny, and seeing his response to Stratt’s recruitment deepens our understanding of his character. While Gosling definitely brings the comic timing and charm he’s known for, it’s the way he portrays Grace’s doubt in his abilities that makes him a relatable character who wins us over. It’s funny that hardly anyone on the Petrova Taskforce gets his sense of humor, let alone have 0ne, but the deeper Grace gets into training and preparing for the mission, the more he realizes the gravity of his and the planet’s situation. His reluctance to accept Stratt’s belief in his abilities brings to mind Moses’s reaction to God’s calling in Exodus 3-4, which was a combination of fear, hesitancy, and excuses for why he’s not the man for the job.

In the story’s present, when space explorer Grace encounters an alien, he eventually comes to a greater understanding of his mission, realizing that the universal threat affects other life forms. The stone-like creature, which he names “Rocky” and which maneuvers like a crab, is attempting the same mission. Grace learns this after creating a way for the two of them to communicate, even selecting a voice (provided by James Ortiz) for the curious creature. That selection, which involves a fun line from a multiple Oscar winner, is one of the many humorous interactive moments between Grac and Rocky that develop the pair’s inevitable partnership. Rocky’s navigating of the English language brings a childlike purity to the character that is welcome. At the same time, the alien also comes across as wise and noble in its own way, which are virtues that humble Grace. They are in similar situations, both surviving members of a risky mission that needs to solve the Astrophage dilemma, designed to save their respective planets, but it’s their commonalities that win us over.

Goddard proved he has a knack for translating Weir’s work to the big screen in “The Martian,” and that talent is reaffirmed here, as the screenplay does an exemplary job at preserving the scientific integrity of the novel, while also maintaining the humor. The result is a story for the masses, a family movie that doesn’t talk down (or up) to any age. Much like “The Martian”, even if you’re not a huge science nerd or sci-fi geek, “Project Hail Mary” is a wholly entertaining and enjoyable viewing experience, with some touching emotionality.

That being said, some viewers may bristle at how the movie reinforces Gosling’s charm and humorous riffs. Those who’ve read the book will be prepared for this, aware that Weir’s way of engaging readers is to balance all the science with a character we can relate to, especially how Grace sees himself. He’s got his quirkiness, which is especially apparent as he engages with other humans in the flashback scenes, but when he’s alone on the Hail Mary, that’s when we see someone who’s used to being loquacious deal with a solitary life. His fear and wonder during his introduction to Rocky is understandable, but that’s also when the scientist kicks in. Rather than panic at a new alien life form, Grace exhibits excitement and increased curiosity as he finds common ground with Rocky. Gosling excels in these moments and truly sells a convincing friendship with what is primarily a co-star worked by puppeteers (with some subtle CGI for movement).

The movie’s humor never overwhelms the story’s stakes, nor does it overpower the visual grandeur of life in space. Having worked with Denis Villeneuve and Gareth Edwards on big-budget sci-fi projects, Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about presenting breathtaking otherworldly visuals. That’s definitely apparent and necessary here, as Lord and Miller place their protagonist against beautiful, colorful, immense surroundings. There are moments of captivating visuals that maximize the theatrical experience, making it the optimal way to see “Project Hail Mary”.

There’s no knockout conclusion to the movie, nor is there one big action climax, which some viewers will lament, but the overall drama and emotions of the story are preferable to all of that. The third act reveals how Stratt deals with Grace’s cowardice, which actually enhances where the reluctant hero eventually winds up in the movie’s final moments. That character arc resonated more than the memorable visuals and comedic interaction between Rocky and Grace. “Project Hail Mary” is impressive in scale and has moments of greatness, but it truly earns its place as something special in dealing with its emotional human journey.

RATING: ****