“Project Hail Mary” Is Masterful, If Familiar

Project Hail Mary (Phil Lord/Christopher Miller, 2026) 4½ out of 5 stars

Coming off the critical and commercial success of The Martian, Andy Weir’s newest novel, Project Hail Mary, once again centers around a charismatic scientist struggling for survival in space, clearly playing into the strengths of Weir’s NASA background and expertise. However, much like The Martian captivates and enchants the viewer, Project Hail Mary succeeds in wowing us just as much with stunning visuals as with a heartfelt story and writing that is both bouncy and heart-pounding.

My initial response coming out of this movie is that Project Hail Mary shares a major resemblance with familiar past films. There are only so many ways (mostly addressing set and costume design) to dive into a space-traveling narrative, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) certainly take inspiration from films such as Gravity, Interstellar—and, of course, The Martian—to create the scenes and atmosphere of the film. What enthralls me in Project Hail Maryis how Lord and Miller use comedic timing, lifted spirits, and overall upbeat dialogue to push a rather pressing, doomsday- plot forward.

As soon as Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling, The Fall Guy) starts to interact with his soon-to-be-extraterrestrial-friend “Rocky”—who is brought to life with masterful practical-effect puppetry—the dynamic for the film reaches a completely congenial pace and never lets up. Witty comments mix with scientific terminology to not only move the narrative forward with exciting momentum, but Lord and Miller ensure the audience is never without full hearts as they go on the journey. I also appreciate the non-linear storytelling method that the writers decided to go with that jumps from Grace being enlisted into the project to Grace’s journey in space. 

All the while, Project Hail Mary leans more on the visuals than it does the story. Andy Weir’s style of near-future science fiction rings true in aesthetic, even if the story seems a bit farther down the timeline of technical innovation than The Martian. Complemented by amazing cinematography, set design, and Rocky’s bizarre and charming design and execution, the visual elements do the film justice. But I also tip my hat to a phenomenal performance from Gosling, especially as the solo performer in many scenes.

Indeed, Project Hail Mary will be remembered as a masterful film in its own right, regardless of how familiar some of the plot can be, at times. What Lord and Miller create still leaves the viewer satisfied and thought-provoked by very real messages about the importance of humanity and the possibility that our planet, as we know it, will soon perish. Project Hail Mary tackles these deep themes with a sense of hope, and the idea that a united world can overcome whatever obstacles it may face.

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.