From the moment it starts, “Project Hail Mary” pulls viewers into the story about the vast outer space. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it is a sci-fi and adventure film that was released in theaters on March 20, 2026. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, “Project Hail Mary” follows Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, centered around his unpredictable journey.

Waking up alone in a spaceship with no memory of anything, Ryland Grace is forced to figure things out as he goes. As he begins to regain memory, the bigger picture starts to come together, along with the weight of the mission he has been given to accomplish.

 Even though he does not feel like he can handle the mission, the other scientists clearly see something in Grace and believe he is capable of it. The task has the potential to save humanity, which adds even more pressure to completing it. As a science teacher who has no experience of being an astronaut, Grace is thrown into a situation far beyond anything he ever expected.

While the movie deals with a serious situation, it still finds ways to be funny. Gosling, who is widely known for his performance in the 2004 film, “The Notebook,” brings a lot of humor to the film as Grace, perfectly expressing the character’s personality. The casting feels like a great fit for Gosling as he did an excellent job of making the character feel relatable.

The scenery of this film is on another level. The cinematography by Greig Fraser was visually impressive and played a huge part in the experience of the film. The outer space visuals were realistic and striking which helped draw the audience deeper into the story concept.

The isolation of being confined on a spacecraft feels very real and shows just how confusing and overwhelming the situation is. Grace not knowing which way the outcome of the trip will go adds to the anticipation. 

When an unexpected friendship forms, it shifts away from hopelessness to new possibilities.

It adds something special to the story and makes it even more impactful. That connection ends up being one of the most meaningful parts of the film. What really stands out is how that bond develops in such an unusual circumstance, showing how important selflessness and teamwork are.

The film is on the longer side, running at 2 hours and 37 minutes, and some of the flashback scenes can make the story feel a little out of order. Because of that, a few parts feel like they drag on, but it does not take away from the overall message of the story. 

“Project Hail Mary” is an interesting and captivating film that mixes humor, suspense and emotion in a way that works well. Gosling’s performance really stands out and helps carry the story. Even though it is a bit long at times, it is still a fun and memorable watch, especially for those who enjoy sci-fi. The visuals and scenery on the big screen make it even more worth the watch.