Project Hail Mary

Release date (UK): 2026
| Country: USA | Running time: 156 min
| Genres: Adventure / Dark Comedy / Sci-Fi epic
|
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller. 
| Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller.
| BBFC 12A

By Jack Weir

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller deliver an epic interstellar adventure starring Ryan Gosling, as he attempts to save the world from an existential threat trillions of miles from home. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is a cinematic marvel that we need right now more than ever, to reassure us of humanity’s unextinguishable hope.


Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ryland Grace is the apex of his career, expertly blending his experience in comedic and dramatic roles to deliver a performance both hilarious and heart-breaking. The supporting cast are essential to this film’s impact, with Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt providing a no-nonsense counterpart to Ryland’s riotous antics, with palpable chemistry between them. Much of the film’s humour is derived from the relationship between Ryland Grace and a lumpy alien named Rocky, whose misinterpretations of human behaviour give rise to hysterical malapropisms and mimicry.


In order to save humanity, Ryland must overcome cultural barriers to understand and team up with his new alien pal in a tackling a shared problem, a wholesome theme all too relevant today. Project Hail Mary features outstanding visual effects that form a phenomenal spectacle, and is impressive in its ability to blend seamlessly into the action without feeling intrusive on interpersonal drama. The film conjures profound emotion through its considered character and world-building, with the threats against Ryland and Rocky creating sequences of great emotive impact.


Project Hail Mary is extra-terrestrial fun that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Can’t find anything to watch? This could be your Hail Mary.

Jack Weir is a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University’s Film BA (Hons) course.