“Project Hail Mary” is the first must-see film of 2026.
After a slow start, it grabs your attention, then your mind, and finally your heart, leaving an upbeat impression that lasts much longer than dour nightly news headlines.
Ryan Gosling stars as a scientist who is urged to join a project to stop a microorganism that is dimming the sun's light and could wipe out large numbers of people on Earth.
Gosling’s Ryland Grace has a theory that could address the problem and stall global cooling. Unfortunately, the mission is a suicide one — the Hail Mary spaceship only has enough fuel for a one-way trip, but it will be able to send findings back to Earth.
Waking from a coma, Grace discovers his fellow astronauts have died, and he’s left to finish the mission. But how? As he nears the star he’s seeking, he finds an alien spaceship, and soon he’s in communication. On the ship: a fellow traveler from 40 Eridani, who Grace dubs “Rocky” because the outsider has a body that looks like a pile of movable rocks. The two create a communications system and begin working together to solve their mutual problems.
People are also reading…
Encased in a suit that allows him to come aboard Grace’s ship, Rocky becomes the mechanic to his friend’s engineer.
Gradually, Grace gets clarity and discovers how he got into space. Government agent Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) becomes key to his understanding. Rocky, however, is essential to his acceptance. There’s plenty of humor in their relationship and callbacks to other films in the sci-fi genre. (Listen for the “Close Encounters” notes.)
“Project Hail Mary” is based on a book by Andy Weir, who also wrote “The Martian,” a story with similar beats. Here, though, Gosling becomes the movie. His ability to mine the laughs and tears is remarkable. Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz) provides good support and makes an “E.T.” revisit a must.
Huller becomes a bit too unyielding at times and could seem like the film’s villain. Yet when she sings Harry Styles’ “Sing of the Times,” you realize she’s just as concerned as anyone.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, “Project Hail Mary” is more accessible than most do-or-die space journeys, but it also boasts cinematography that would definitely pop on a large screen.
The film, in fact, demands to be seen in a theater. It’s big and inviting, even though it’s focused on one man and his journey. The new worlds are breathtaking.
While it’s too early to put this in a category, “Project Hail Mary” should be considered a standard for 2026 films. It does what you want all films to do — engage, entertain and inspire.
With someone else in the leading role, it might not be as compelling. With Gosling, it’s the gauntlet thrown down.
REVIEW: ‘Project Hail Mary’
Rated: PG-13 for some intense scenes.
Stars: 3 ½ out of four
Bruce’s Take: Ryan Gosling gets another science-fiction film on his resume and doesn’t waste it. He’s remarkable.
