Product Info

Studio

Amazon MGM Studios

Director

Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Genre

Sci-Fi

Rated

PG-13

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Mar 20, 2026

Film Length

2hr 36min

Purchase From

Project Hail Mary, based on the 2021 science-fiction novel by Andy Weir, is a visually stunning journey with heartwarming tones between a living rock alien and a human. Whether or not you are familiar with the book, Project Hail Mary is a must-watch for those who enjoy sci-fi films.

Going for the Longshot

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Science teacher Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling (Barbie, The Notebook), wakes up in a spaceship light-years from Earth, alone. His fellow crewmates Yáo Li-Jie, played by Ken Leung (Lost, The Blacklist), and Olesya Ilyukhina, played by Milana Vayntrub (God of War Ragnarök, This Is Us), are already deceased yet the film doesn’t go into details of their incidents. As he tries to remember why he is in space, the film transitions to his past in fragments, presented in chronological order starting with Grace teaching class. These scenes are relatively short, and the transitions to and from these scenes are creatively executed. For example, the camera angle rotates to cut to a new scene to resemble the gravity in space, or the camera moves to a dark area within the spaceship, creating a fade-to-black effect for a new scene. These creative techniques help the film flow smoothly, something that all films should strive for. However, most of the flashbacks, while essential for connecting Grace’s story to his past, sometimes disrupt the film’s pace.

Gradually, as his memory returns, Grace recalls why he is in space: to unravel the mystery behind a living substance causing the sun to die out. Leaving the substance unattended for decades will result in dropping temperatures on Earth and a great potential of the decline in the planet’s population. Without astronaut skills, Grace must rely on his scientific knowledge and innovative ideas to save his home planet in this one-way journey. Fortunately, he is not alone, as he is accompanied by an alien resembling a spider made of rocks named “Rocky,” voiced by James Ortiz (The Woodsman, Saint Francis; Monks in Robes). These two unlikely adventurers are the universe’s last hope to avert the impending threat.

The film primarily focuses on these two characters, with any interactions from Grace are with other humans occurring in Grace’s memories. The start of these moments begin lighthearted but grow more serious as more memories resurface. Grace’s personality gives off a humorous yet lacking in confidence. Rocky initially speaks a foreign language until Grace uses his scientific knowledge to translate Rocky’s audio into a computerized voice, adding humor and easing the tension in space. It gives a familiar theme to Pixar’s UP with the dogs using an electronic collar to communicate human language. Rocky encourages Grace to become more self-assured, forging a trusting bond between the two and making the film an enjoyable journey. The drawback of the film’s storyline is it feels familiar to other high-stake space exploration movies to save Earth. However, Project Hail Mary manages to inject a sense of fun and lightheartedness, thanks to the personalities and comical dialogues of Grace and Rocky. Who knew a human and a living rock creature can create fun moments. Unlike films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Interstellar, and The Martian, Project Hail Mary offers a more wholesome sci-fi story that wraps up neatly without leaving viewers hanging on a cliffhanger.

Out of This World

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The shots of space feel vast and sometimes colorful. One of these scenes is when Grace and Rocky reach their destination, a star located light-years away from Earth. The star’s size, texture, and vibrant gradient colors from green to purple feel out of this world and watching it on IMAX made space feel even more vast. The soundtrack, composed by Daniel Pemberton (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Bad Guys 2),  feels very whimsical with its orchestrated tracks and electronic textures that add emotion to the depth of the exploration. Its scores brings both soothing and curiosity to the audience. The music cuts off occasionally to create silent moments such as Grace jumping into outer space with his suit, providing a way to bring the audience in the film.

The Final Mission

Project Hail Mary blends humor, science, and an unlikely friendship into a crowd-pleasing journey. While its story may feel familiar, it’s elevated by charm, making it a must-watch.

An early screening on IMAX was provided for this review. Project Hail Mary arrives in theaters on March 20, 2026. Viewers can visit the movie’s official website for information and ticket purchases for your local theater.