As Nicole Kidman once said, “We come to this place for magic”, and that is exactly what watching Project Hail Mary felt like.
Based on the 2021 science fiction novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary follows the story of American scientist Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), as he wakes up alone on an interstellar spacecraft with no recollection of how he came to be there. But as his memory slowly returns he begins to uncover his mission: solve the mystery of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. But he may not have to solve it alone as he develops an unlikely friendship with an otherworldly being.
Compared with many sci-fi films, Project Hail Mary stands out for its sharp sense of humour and heart. While the story centres on the looming threat of humanity’s extinction, the film never lets the weight of its premise overwhelm the narrative. Instead, it carefully balances the seriousness of a potential end-of-the-world scenario with the emotional journey of its central character and the unexpected warmth of a new friendship.
What makes the film particularly engaging is the way it allows the audience to experience each revelation alongside the characters. As the mystery unfolds, viewers are taken on the same path of discovery, confusion, and hope, creating a deeply immersive experience. At the same time, the story takes care to ground its high-concept science in genuine emotion, ensuring that the stakes feel personal rather than purely cosmic.
A lot of this comes down to Gosling as the film’s lead. With much of Project Hail Mary following Grace alone in space – or interacting with his new alien friend – the performance demands a great deal from its central actor. It’s clear that many of these moments were performed without a scene partner, yet Gosling makes the friendship feel completely genuine. Through his performance, what could easily have felt technical or distant instead becomes something warm, emotional, and deeply engaging. The result is a relationship that feels remarkably real, making their bond both powerful and genuinely enchanting to watch.
Additionally, in the scenes set on Earth, Ryan Gosling strikes a perfect balance with his scene partners. A particularly funny montage with Officer Steve (Lionel Boyce) offers a lighter moment, while his professional yet quietly caring dynamic with the scientist leading the mission, Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) grounds the story in something more human.
Together, these relationships help highlight the urgency and severity of the situation while also emphasising the people behind it. Even in the face of an existential threat, the film never loses sight of the human element, allowing these interactions to bring warmth, humour, and emotional weight to the story.
Despite its 156-minute runtime, the film had me completely captivated. It’s perfectly paced, striking a balance between heartfelt character moments and gripping action that keeps the story moving without ever feeling rushed or overstretched. What truly elevates the experience, however, are its stunning visuals, which bring the vastness and isolation of space vividly to life.
The visuals were created without relying on green screens, instead blending extensive practical sets with over 2,000 VFX shots to enhance the actors’ immersion and create more natural lighting. From an audience perspective, that commitment really shows. It is absolutely worth watching this on the biggest screen you can to fully immerse yourself in this visual spectacle – I haven’t seen anything quite so entrancing in a long time.
Simply put, Project Hail Mary is a breathtaking sci-fi adventure that reminds us just how magical the big screen can be.
Project Hail Mary releases in UK cinemas on the 19th March.
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