
Based on the book by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary follows science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) who wakes up alone on a spaceship lightyears away from Earth. As he attempts to piece together who he is and how he got there, he learns that he’ll need to solve the riddle of a mysterious substance that is causing the sun to die. But when he makes an unexpected friend along the way, maybe he won’t have to do it alone.
Staying away from the trailers, I knew next to nothing going into this film. I am also not usually a fan of sci-fi flicks, but there was something about this one that told me I’d be silly to give it a miss. Going into it completely blind was probably the best way I could have done it – not only did it enhance the overall experience, I was completely and totally swept up in what was unfolding before me. To say that this exceeded my expectations is an understatement.
Although I have not read the book, there was nobody else who could have played Grace than Gosling. Much of the film is focused solely on him as he is the only one alive in the spaceship. He single-handedly carries the film on his back while perfectly blending comedy, drama and some unsuspecting heartfelt moments. It’s possibly his most endearing performance to date and I would be shocked if this didn’t get him any nominations come next year’s awards season. Sandra Huller stars as Eva Stratt, the woman responsible for hiring Grace. Although she isn’t featured as much as Gosling, she delivers a solid performance. She’s a bit of an enigma in that we don’t really know much about her personal life, only that this mission is super important to her.
Perhaps the most endearing aspect of the film comes in the introduction of Rocky. Rocky is an alien life form that Grace meets on his journey. Never in a million years did I think I would become so invested in this little creature, nor fall totally and completely in love with him. Voiced by James Ortiz, it was remarkable watching these two not only learn to work together for their common goal in saving their planets, but also in the friendship that develops. This is truly where the heart of the film lies.
Though I was worried that the science of it all would be too difficult for me to understand, I am glad to report that this was not the case. It was easy to follow and interesting enough in its execution. I couldn’t get over the beautiful atmospheres that we as the audience were privy to. From inside the spaceship to the different planets, the visual effects were literally out of this world. That, combined with the score, really elevated it all.
I never could have imagined loving Project Hail Mary as much as I did and yet here we are. It’s got everything you could want in a film while also focusing on important themes such as friendship. I truly think that this film will become a classic in the years to come. I highly recommend giving it a watch.
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️








