By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Tuesday, March 10, 2026

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by dystopian futures, raunchy storylines and grim visions of the universe’s fate, “Project Hail Mary” offers something refreshingly different: hope, optimism and a belief in humanity’s willingness to sacrifice for one another.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and adapted by Drew Goddard from the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, the film, rated PG-13 for some thematic material and suggestive references, combines gorgeous celestial landscapes and sci-fi elements with a human, often funny, story about sacrifice, friendship and curiosity.

At the center of it all is Ryan Gosling, who both produced the film and delivers a heartfelt performance as Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there.

Gradually, Grace begins piecing together the truth: Earth’s sun is dying. Alien microbes known as astrophage are consuming its energy, threatening to plunge the planet into a new ice age. Humanity’s last hope is a desperate mission to a distant star system, the titular “Hail Mary.”

Grace’s task is simple in theory and terrifying in practice: figure out why another star hasn’t been affected and send the solution back to Earth, even if it means never returning home.

It’s the sort of premise that could easily spiral into bleak territory. But in the hands of Lord and Miller, the duo behind “The Lego Movie,” “Into the Spiderverse” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” the film becomes something far more uplifting, and interwoven with biblical themes. It is, at its core, a science-fiction adventure driven by knowledge, cooperation and compassion.

Like “The Martian,” another adaptation of Weir’s work by Goddard, the film celebrates intellect and perseverance. Instead of relying on brute force, Grace survives by thinking, experimenting and refusing to give up. He’s not a warrior or superhero; he’s a teacher, a man whose greatest strength is curiosity, something he’s shown imparting to the schoolchildren he clearly loves through a series of flashbacks. 

But the film’s most delightful element is the friendship that forms when Grace encounters another spacecraft in the distant Tau Ceti system. Inside is Rocky, an alien engineer from another world on the same mission to save his own planet. What follows is what’s sure to be one of the most iconic buddy stories in sci-fi history. 

Rocky, a crab-like creature who communicates through musical tones not dissimilar to whale songs, is brought to life through an impressive blend of puppetry and visual effects (the directors told CP that zero green screens were used). His interactions with Grace are funny and, at times, genuinely moving. 

The two beings couldn’t be more different; in fact, they can’t even breathe the same kind of air or survive in the same atmosphere. Yet through patience, ingenuity and a growing sense of trust, they learn to communicate and bond over their collective mission to save their planets. The result is a story that mirrors one of the Bible’s most powerful themes: the idea that love and compassion can bridge even the widest divides.

Both Grace and Rocky ultimately face decisions that require extraordinary sacrifice, and their willingness to risk everything for each other serves as a pivotal moment in the film. Yet, Gosling’s Grace is a relatable hero; he’s messy, at times terrified. But when tasked with the ultimate sacrifice, he’s willing to “lay down his life” for his friend. Even Grace’s name feels intentional; at the beginning, he is not graceful, but over time, he grows into the meaning of his name.

“Project Hail Mary” also emphasizes humanity’s responsibility to care for creation. Saving the planet and the future of the next generation becomes an act of stewardship. Scientists, teachers and engineers come together not for glory but for survival and a love for humanity.

Visually, the film is stunning. Space sequences are vast and immersive, particularly on IMAX screens, capturing both the staggering beauty and loneliness of the cosmos. Even during long stretches where Grace is essentially alone, the story remains engaging thanks to Gosling’s performance and impressive ability to emotionally connect and interact with a faceless rock alien.

Though it runs over two-and-a-half hours, the film moves quickly, packed with inventive problem-solving, humor, and moments of genuine wonder. And while there are some slightly scary moments (for example, two of the astronauts at the beginning of the film die, leaving rotting corpses briefly shown on screen), “Project Hail Mary” is largely family-friendly, devoid of some of the cruder moments in the book. This was intentional; Gosling told CP it was “very important” to him to make a film he and his wife could bring their children to see. 

In a cultural moment often defined by cynicism, “Project Hail Mary” offers the reminder that humanity’s future isn’t doomed, that collaboration can overcome division, and empathy and sacrifice can transcend even the boundaries of species. It’s a reminder of why, exactly, the world is worth saving. 

“Project Hail Mary” hits theaters on March 20. The film also stars Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung and Milana Vayntrub. 

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