Film Review: PROJECT HAIL MARY (2026): Ryan Gosling is Spectacular in a Science-Fiction Drama With a Compelling Story
Project Hail Mary Review
Project Hail Mary (2026) Film Review, a movie directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, written by Drew Goddard and Andy Weir and starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Priya Kansara, Mia Soteriou, Annelle Olaleye, Bastian Antonio Fuentes, Alice Brittain, Travis Jay, Geoffrey Lumb, Paul Lambert, Orion Lee and Aaron Neil.
Filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have crafted an epic science fiction film like no other with the remarkable and moving, Project Hail Mary. This new movie is carried on its shoulders (almost entirely) by the talented Ryan Gosling who plays a middle school science teacher named Ryland Grace who is entrusted with taking on a very important mission that could save many, many lives. Gosling’s performance is one of the actor’s best to date and it is full of emotions and creative depth that helps to fully form one of the most memorable characters of the year thus far.
Ryland ends up in space trying to fulfill a greater good as the film begins its main story. There are Ryland’s memories, however, which hold the key to the specifics behind his mission and they are slowly and (skillfully) revealed and integrated into the action as the plot progresses. Sandra Hüller serves as Eva Stratt, the woman who heads a Task Force that is trying to prevent a parasite from destroying the sun. She employs Ryland as the man for the mission, but the reasoning behind that choice is revealed much later in the picture.
In the interim, Ryland meets “Rocky” (voice of the talented James Ortiz), an intelligent alien creature with a lot of personality. Rocky becomes Ryland’s best friend in space and his only confidante. Rocky doesn’t have a lot of distinguishing characteristics from a visual standpoint, but is still quite compelling a character to behold thanks to the way Ortiz injects the character with humorous pizzazz. Ryland and Rocky bond over jokes, sounds and musical-like interludes which keep them emotionally grounded as the mission to save the world beats on.
Project Hail Mary is particularly noteworthy for its impressive character development. When the film flashes back to Ryland’s life, we learn that he wasn’t attached to any family which is why he became an ideal candidate to save humanity. We see Ryland’s colleagues who push him to be the best he can be even though there’s a lot more to the story in terms of how Ryland ended up in space and agreeing to the mission. There is a lot of backstory here and it is terrifically conveyed on-screen.
Visually, this film is stunning. Several Oscar-nomination worthy components of the film are present here. The visual effects are genuinely impressive with narrow escapes and close calls that create tension within the plot. This movie’s visuals will recall movies like Star Wars and although they’re both different types of films, Project Hail Mary makes up for what it lacks in big action scenes with character-driven dynamics and set pieces. This film is also humorous when it wants to be such as in a situation where Ryland is trying to open a container and he strives to figure out the correct way to open it (saying words like righty tighty and lefty loosy).
Rocky serves a purpose similar to the one Wilson, the volleyball, served in Cast Away. Whereas Wilson couldn’t give anything back to Tom Hanks’s character in that film, Rocky has a great deal of wisdom to share with Ryland and the movie’s plot shows them create a touching bond right before our eyes. The connection between Rocky and Ryland provides for some genuine scenes of real emotions being that Ryland is isolated from his passion to teach and to give back to society. Now, he’s making the greatest sacrifice and has suffered in some ways, but has also found his own sense of purpose in the world as a result.
Ryan Gosling makes this character his own and commands the audience’s attention right from the word “go.” His character’s fearlessness and determination make him a hero for the record books. Gosling comes up with one of the most creative and distinct turns of the year. We learn his character was fearful of the mission later in the movie, but the character makes a 180 degree turn as the story line deepens and Ryland becomes stronger and more sure of his reason for being. This greatly enhances the story-telling and gives the film a distinct edge.
Sandra Hüller is terrific in a supporting role that sheds light on the severity of the mission and gives us insight as to why Ryland was the only one with the skills to take on such a challenging endeavor. Hüller is fierce and unstoppable in her role as she meets the part with the requisite intensity that it requires.
James Ortiz creates a memorable Rocky. This is a character that feels like it could have been featured in Guardians of the Galaxy because of his humorous nature. Ortiz shapes the role and makes it a truly original creation. Ortiz and Gosling play off each other with a natural flow.
Project Hail Mary is entertainment of the highest quality. It can be counted with some of the most acclaimed science fiction films of all-time thanks to its scope and the caliber of the performance by Gosling who has taken material from the pages of Andy Weir and turned it into some of the most accomplished acting of his career. Gosling is a first-rate talent and this movie once again proves his versatility as an actor. It’s a must-see.
Rating: 9/10
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