Project Hail Mary (2026)

Dir: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, Priya Kansara

Brimming with wit and warmth, this visually stunning and hilarious adaptation of Andy weir’s epic space odyssey soars through the cosmos on the irresistible charisma and magnetic energy of Ryan Gosling

American author Andy Weir has rocketed to the top of modern science fiction, becoming a household name despite having penned just three novels. His meteoric rise began in the early 2010s when “The Martian”—first shared on his personal blog—caught fire and was snapped up by Crown Publishing for a major re-release in 2014. The hardcover launch perfectly coincided with the buzz around a Hollywood adaptation, as 20th Century Fox had already secured the film rights and begun production a year prior.

The theatrical adaptation of “The Martian” was a sensation, not only becoming director Ridley Scott’s most acclaimed movie in quite some time, but by raking in a jaw-dropping $630 million to land among 2015’s top ten highest-grossing films. With Weir’s star soaring and readers clamouring for more, anticipation for his next sci-fi adventure reached a fever pitch. Though his follow-up novel, the lunar heist tale “Artemis,” proved to be less successful, Weir soared back with the publication of “Project Hail Mary” in 2021, now set to light up cinemas as his second cinematic adaptation.

The scramble for “Project Hail Mary” film rights was fierce, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer snapping them up in 2020—a whole year prior to the book even hitting shelves. Fast forward to April 2024, and Amazon Studios, now owning MGM, announced production was underway, with directing duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at the helm, working from a script by Drew Goddard, who had previously penned the Oscar-nominated screenplay for “The Martian”. This announcement sent my anticipation soaring, as not only is “The Martian” amongst my personal favourite sci-fi films of the twenty-first century, but the prospect of Lord and Miller bringing their trademark energy to Weir’s universe had me instantly hooked.

This dynamic duo has crafted animated gems like “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (2009), “The Lego Movie” (2014), and both “Spider-Verse” films, with a third set to swing into cinemas next year. Their signature wit and visual flair shine just as brightly in live-action, as seen in the riotous buddy comedy “21 Jump Street” (2012) and its equally sharp sequel.

“Project Hail Mary” stands as Lord and Miller’s most ambitious project yet, but with Drew Goddard’s sparkling script and a top-tier crew comprised of some of the industry’s very best, they have delivered a thrilling, heartfelt adaptation of Weir’s work. Even without reading the novel, I found the film welcoming to newcomers while, by all reports, staying true to its roots.

“Project Hail Mary” Trailer | Amazon MGM Studios

The film unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, immediately introducing us to a bewildered Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), who awakens from an induced coma, alone and disoriented aboard a deep-space vessel, with his memories faded and his purpose unknown. The story weaves between past and present, gradually revealing the gravity of Grace’s mission. Back on Earth, his quiet life as a teacher is upended when German scientist Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) confronts him with a dire revelation: a molecular organism called “Astrophage” is draining the Sun’s energy, threatening all life. Once dismissed for his unconventional ideas, Grace’s research unexpectedly becomes humanity’s last hope, pointing to a distant star untouched by the Astrophage.

Together, Grace, Eva, and an international team of astronauts launch the titular “Project Hail Mary”, a desperate, high-stakes journey across the stars to find a way to save the Sun and avert Earth’s extinction within a generation. During his voyage, Grace stumbles upon an extra-terrestrial spacecraft, piloted by a stone-like alien he aptly names “Rocky”. United by the shared fate of their dying stars, Grace and Rocky work together to unravel the mystery of the Astrophage and the lone star that resists its deadly grip, racing against time to rescue their respective planets.

Within minutes, “Project Hail Mary” reassures viewers they are in expert hands. Lord and Miller’s sharp visual storytelling and playful editing equally elevate and complement Goddard’s script, echoing the spirit of his previous Weir adaptation. Overflowing with wit, heart, and scientific intrigue, the film keeps audiences entertained and inspired throughout the majority of its 160-minute journey.

Much like “The Martian”, “Project Hail Mary” hinges on a single, magnetic performance—and Ryan Gosling delivers in spades. The Canadian star has dazzled across genres over his lauded career, from the raw emotion of “Half Nelson” (2006) and “Blue Valentine” (2010) to the comedic brilliance of “Barbie” (2023), “The Nice Guys” (2016), and “Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011). Here, Gosling’s greatest strength is his ability to channel loneliness. His blend of sly charisma and quiet introspection, reminiscent of his work in “Drive” (2011), anchors the film. He not only nails the wit and intellect needed to keep things light and believable, but also infuses Grace with a poignant sense of isolation. This emotional depth is the film’s heartbeat as Grace’s bond with “Rocky” becomes surprisingly moving, making us believe in the friendship between a lost human and a faceless alien. In searching for a way to save the Sun, Grace is also searching for himself.

Grace is chosen for the suicidal “Project Hail Mary” because he has no one waiting for him back home—no friends, no family, only his students. While this truth is quietly heart-breaking, Goddard’s script and Gosling’s performance infuse the story with hope rather than despair.

Greig Fraser‘s cinematography beautifully amplifies Grace’s solitude, turning the “Hail Mary” into a floating, claustrophobic cell and capturing the vast emptiness of space beyond. Daniel Pemberton‘s sweeping score adds grandeur and emotional heft, making this a cinematic experience destined for the biggest screen—ideally IMAX—as Fraser intended when he shot it.

While the film stumbles a bit with its ambitious pacing and a hurried finale, it remains a delightful, crowd-pleasing adventure—a true popcorn spectacle. Lord and Miller have firmly established themselves as blockbuster maestros, and I cannot wait to see where they take us next, whether it’s “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” or a long-awaited adaptation of Weir’s lesser-appreciated “Artemis”, which is supposedly in the works.

The Verdict:

The formidable filmmaking duo of Lord and Miller have taken their game to the next level with this charming and hilarious deep space odyssey, that recaptures the wit and smarts of Andy Weir’s previous big-screen adaptation, “The Martian”. Propelled through space by the magnetic Ryan Gosling, “Project Hail Mary” may go down as one of the most beloved and memorable blockbusters of 2026 come the end of the year.

Project Hail Mary is showing in UK Cinemas from 20th March