Why You Should Watch 'Project Hail Mary' This Weekend

A visual spectacle full of grace.

In the world of cinema, it’s easy to captivate audiences with any story told across the stars. As a genre, sci-fi adventures in space are a perfect medium for any big blockbuster. The stars at night (and on the big screen) are a constant reminder that we can seek far beyond what we know and discover countless other worlds. It makes sense, then, that some of the most iconic movies and franchises in history take place outside our galaxy. Whether it’s through a far-fetched fantastical space opera, or a grounded family story with high concept astrophysics in play, space often wins at the box office.

That being said, there has recently been a saturation of similar space stories and lackluster films, in an effort to capture this magic. So in 2026, is there really space for an original sci-fi space adventure to win anyone over? With Project Hail Mary, that answer is a resounding yes.

The film introduces Ryland Grace, a schoolteacher who somehow ended up aboard an interstellar spacecraft on a mission to save Earth. He’s got a heavy task at hand: discover the solution to the sun’s gradual dying, by studying other stars in the galaxy. Right in the opening scene, it’s shown he has no memory or recollection of how he ended up on this journey. Once he comes to his senses, he moves forward on the mission as he pieces together his memories over time. What results is a nearly three hour odyssey across different planets and stars, with intertwined flashbacks completing the pieces of the missing puzzle.

I will preface this by saying: if you’re interested in watching Project Hail Mary, I recommend reading the book first. I took the time to read it around a month ago and found myself having a blast with it. There’s a lot of humor and heart to the story, which serves as the cornerstone of this adaptation. Along with this, anyone who loves science and math as much as I do will have fun with all the concepts discussed including biology, physics, chemistry, and more.

The film stands well on its own and isn’t difficult to follow along. Having read the book ahead of time, though, it’s impressive how directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were able to capture the essence of certain pivotal moments and scenes that author Andy Weir envisioned. The cinematography and usage of vivid colors in many moments throughout the film were nothing short of stunning. In particular, there was one scene in this movie that was far more colorful, vivid, and visually spectacular than I ever imagined while reading the book, and quite literally worth the price of admission alone.

The story is primarily a one-man show, and Ryan Gosling carries this film for the majority of the runtime. He brings a wit to Grace that’s present in the book, and is able to convey his inner monologue through expression alone. Not to mention, acting and demonstrating a wide range of emotion in front of props and puppets can’t be easy. The supporting cast, in its limited moments, shine whenever they’re on screen. In particular, I felt Sandra Huller as Eva Stratt was spot on casting.

Without giving much away on additional characters in this film, I was happy to see practical effects intertwined with well-designed CGI, as well as the extensive use of puppeteering. It’s a testament to the sincerity that Lord and Miller, as well as the entire film crew, treated this story with. Even with the Amazon marketing and copious budget attached to this project, there was intentionality behind every frame and scene (save for a couple of brief product placements).

Project Hail Mary is a wonderful story about the power of friendship, and how courage doesn’t come easy. A lot of these aspects were already present in the novel, but this film perfectly captured the personalities and choices of the characters, as well as the relationships that make it shine. The screenplay also doesn’t overly explain or underestimate its audience, even if a few moments were rushed due to the already lengthy runtime. I do feel there were a couple of core moments from the novel that this film didn’t dwell on as much, but all the best aspects were fully present and were captured perfectly.

Possibly my favorite aspect of this film is difficult to discuss without getting into spoilers. If you’ve already seen it, then you probably know what I’m referring to. The heart of the book is also the same heart of this film. Self-sacrificial love is something that is often explored in many stories and films, and it’s at the front and center of Project Hail Mary. Whether intentional or not, there are plenty of Catholic and Christian undertones present as well.¹ I don’t think it’s any coincidence that our protagonist, Grace, is aboard the Hail Mary. This film also briefly touches upon faith and how it intertwines with science, similar to how Interstellar tackled that topic.

Project Hail Mary is certainly a breath of fresh air in the current state of the box office. It’s not often we get an original blockbuster these days. Original ideas are seen as risky, so studios feel forced to keep pumping out legacy sequel after legacy sequel. The wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented, though. It is certainly possible to recycle ideas and concepts in a way that is brand new and innovative. Is everything about Project Hail Mary original? Not necessarily. But it does put a fresh spin and breathes life into a genre that’s been dormant for a while. All this being said, I can vouch for Project Hail Mary as a stunning spectacle that will stack up well among the giants of sci-fi cinema. Definitely see this on the biggest screen possible, and delight in the wonder of a familiar, yet new, tale across the stars.

End up watching the movie? Let us know what you thought after you see it in the comments below!

1. Editor’s Note - Screenwriter Drew Goddard, who helped create the Netflix Daredevil show and Bad Times at the El Royale has a recurring habit of involving Catholicism in his work and portraying the Faith reverently. Many have speculated that he is (or was) in fact Catholic!