PROJECT HAIL MARY Made Me Romantic About Movies (Review)

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I went into Project Hail Mary with very mixed feelings. I loved The Martian and enjoyed Artemis, but I didn’t enjoy Andy Weir’s novel at all. However, some of my favorite filmmakers were adapting it, with an actor I admire in the main role, and they cast Sandra Hüller, who I think is a phenomenal actress. It was strange – a lot of people whose work I love were bringing to life a book I really struggled with. It felt like a guaranteed clash between something I disliked and a team I adored.

This movie truly captivated me. It wasn’t just good – it was absolutely stunning and left me speechless. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience than what Project Hail Mary delivered. It has everything you want in a film. Visually, it’s breathtaking. It’s a sci-fi adventure with an unforgettable alien co-star – a brilliant, sentient being made of rocks! The special effects, sets, and camera work were so realistic, I felt like I was actually on a massive, beautiful spaceship in deep space with a real alien. Every shot, both simple and complex, was beautifully framed and constantly amazed me.

The film’s pacing is perfect, expertly shifting between frantic energy, sadness, thoughtfulness, excitement, and humor. It seamlessly blends these tones, because while Project Hail Mary is primarily a funny and thrilling sci-fi adventure, it also features incredibly moving, quiet scenes. At its heart, it’s a profoundly human story that explores life, purpose, and our connections to others. It tackles difficult themes like loss, regret, failure, and sacrifice with a raw honesty that genuinely resonated with me – I often found myself switching between laughter and tears.

Much of the film’s success is due to Ryan Gosling’s acting. I found the book’s main character, Ryland Grace, to be unconvincing. The book version of the teacher who unexpectedly becomes a hero feels artificial and more like a concept than a real person. This is true for many of the human characters; surprisingly, the alien, Rocky, is the most believable and human-like character in the story.

As a film lover, I have to say Ryan Gosling completely blew me away in this role. It’s undeniably a Gosling performance – he brings that signature charm and humor – but what’s incredible is that I never once felt like I was watching Ryan Gosling. He truly became the character, Grace. His portrayal of Ryland, a genuinely good man carrying a lot of quiet sadness, is so much richer and more compelling than how the character came across in the book. Honestly, he fixed the biggest issue I had with the source material, and I know others felt the same way.

Let me tell you, this movie nails Rocky. Seriously, everything that makes the character so great in the book translates perfectly to the screen – he’s hilarious, genuinely moving, and just a wonderful presence. What’s truly amazing is how directors Lord and Miller, along with Ryan Gosling, managed to make Rocky feel so incredibly alive, even though Gosling spent a lot of the film acting opposite a puppet! It shouldn’t be a shock, considering they collaborated with legends like designer Neal Scanlan and puppeteer James Ortiz, but honestly, it’s hard to put into words just how vibrant Rocky feels. I honestly lost track of when he was a puppet, an animatronic, or even if CGI was involved – it all just blended seamlessly.

Daniel Pemberton’s incredible music truly brings the film together. At times, the score is so powerful it feels almost tangible. Combined with a brilliant soundtrack, it will be a challenge for many 2026 releases to match the sonic quality of Project Hail Mary.

I had a few minor issues with the movie. I would have liked it to mention more of the larger global conflicts presented in the book. The novel features a much wider world around the main character, which adds depth to his mission to save Earth. It also would have been good to see a clearer focus on his background as a teacher, as that aspect felt underdeveloped.

My main issue with the film is that Sandra Hüller, who plays Eva Stratt, doesn’t have enough screen time. The source novel is expansive despite its small cast and personal focus, and the film, like the book, jumps between flashbacks and scenes set in space. Some cuts were necessary, and for the most part, they work well. As an adaptation, it’s remarkably true to the original material. However, it really needed to find a way to feature more of Stratt, particularly considering Hüller was perfectly cast in the role.

She consistently delivers captivating performances, bringing a remarkable subtlety to her role. One scene, in particular, is incredibly powerful – it’s amazing how much emotion she conveys even in a quiet moment. It’s a testament to her skill as an actor, bringing real depth and humanity to a complicated character, especially through the simple act of singing.

Saying “I wish there had been more of a certain element in this movie” doesn’t sound like a harsh critique, and that’s intentional. It might seem like I’m saying I loved the movie, but that’s not quite right. I do enjoy many films, and I’ve seen plenty I consider objectively superior. However, those others didn’t evoke the same emotional response as Project Hail Mary – both during the viewing and afterward.

It sparked my love for the magic of cinema – those special moments when a movie truly captivates you. It’s when everything comes together perfectly – the visuals, music, acting, and all the emotions – creating a powerful work of art. It’s an experience that makes you feel deeply connected to life and reminds you why you fell in love with movies in the first place.

I’m still struggling to find the words to describe how much I loved Project Hail Mary. It’s a genuinely hopeful and beautiful film, and I really recommend seeing it on the largest screen with the best sound system possible. I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me.

⭐ (5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob and is a lifelong fan of the movie Rocky. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s always interested in discussions about the Targaryen kings.

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2026-03-10 16:04