Project Hail Mary is a new film based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir, set to hit theaters on March 20. Written by Drew Goddard and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.

The story follows science teacher Ryland Grace, who wakes up alone on a spaceship light-years from home with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memories slowly return, he begins to uncover the truth about his mission: to solve the mystery of a strange substance that is causing the sun to die. With time running out, Grace must rely on his scientific expertise and unconventional thinking to save Earth from extinction. But an unexpected friendship along the way may mean he doesn’t have to face the impossible alone.

On paper, the film has everything working in its favor. Ryan Gosling is one of my favorite actors working today, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller remain two of the most underrated directors in the industry. Visually, the film looks stunning, and the source material itself is incredibly promising.

Still, there’s one lingering concern: the film’s reported $248 million budget. That’s an enormous price tag, especially considering that many Gosling-led films have historically struggled to break out at the box office. That concern hasn’t completely gone away—but after watching the film, it’s hard to imagine it failing. In fact, I strongly believe this is exactly the kind of movie audiences need right now.

I haven’t read the source material myself, but after walking out of the theater I overheard several people mentioning how faithful the film is to the book. Like many others will probably say after seeing it, I now wouldn’t mind picking up the novel either.

What Phil Lord and Christopher Miller manage to pull from the material allows the film’s visual language to truly speak for itself. For context, I saw it in IMAX, which may be one of the best possible ways to experience this film. Even though it’s being distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, there’s really no reason to wait and watch it on Prime Video. Project Hail Mary is easily one of the most visually impressive films in recent memory.

Much of the film feels inspired by the work of Steven Spielberg. There’s a sense of familiarity in its tone and sense of wonder, but it still feels fresh and original thanks to Lord and Miller’s outstanding direction. While the duo are best known recently for producing the animated Spider-Verse films, the last time they directed a feature together was 2014’s 22 Jump Street. That’s an incredibly long gap for filmmakers with this level of talent. It’s gratifying to see them finally get their due after being removed from directing duties on Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The film delivers action, humor, and genuine heart. The fact that they’re able to pull such a compelling and emotional performance from Ryan Gosling—especially when much of his acting is opposite what is essentially a rock—speaks volumes about their direction. For a sci-fi story of this scale, the emotional weight the film carries is surprisingly powerful.

I’ve been a big fan of Ryan Gosling’s work for quite some time. The guy rarely misses. While we may not see him take on as many dramatic roles as he once did, his transition into films like this continues to prove just how effective he is on screen.

As mentioned earlier, it’s hard to predict how this film will perform at the box office. I can’t help but wonder how it might have fared with someone like Chris Pratt in the lead. I personally like Gosling much more as an actor, but for whatever reason Pratt tends to have a stronger box office draw. Still, I hope audiences show up for this one. Gosling carries the film squarely on his shoulders.

Even if I can’t fully relate to the character on a scientific level, the role resonated with me in unexpected ways. As a science teacher, Ryland Grace reminded me a lot of my wife, and his relationship with Rocky oddly reminded me of my cat. That emotional connection made the film land even more for me.

The film’s structure also takes the right approach to telling the story. As Grace’s memory slowly returns, we learn more about who he is and how he ended up on this mission. The film constantly raises new questions that keep you engaged from beginning to end. Even at two hours and thirty-six minutes, the runtime rarely feels overwhelming. Aside from a slightly slower first act, nearly every moment feels earned and intentional. As the pieces fall into place, Grace’s decisions begin to make more sense, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion.

The film delivers on a remarkable technical level. There are several jaw-dropping moments and visually stunning sequences that are best experienced in a premium format. The directors have even mentioned that the film uses no blue or green screens—something that feels increasingly rare in modern filmmaking. In an era where many productions rely heavily on digital environments, this approach shows just how committed the filmmakers were to bringing the story to life with authenticity.

The film’s color grading also stood out to me, often reminding me of the look and atmosphere of Blade Runner 2049—another film I had the chance to see in IMAX. Even though Ryan Gosling has been attached to a few box-office disappointments over the years, I’m glad studios still trust him to lead ambitious visual spectacles like this. Even the design of Rocky is incredibly impressive and feels thoughtfully realized.

The score is another highlight, perfectly echoing the film’s shifting tone. When the story leans into its sillier moments, the music complements the humor. When things become emotional, you genuinely feel the weight of the character’s pain. And when the tension ramps up, the score keeps you completely on edge. There were several moments where I found myself sitting perfectly still, completely absorbed in what was unfolding.

Since I wasn’t familiar with the source material beforehand, the story felt genuinely unpredictable. That lack of familiarity allowed the film to surprise me in ways that made the experience even more engaging.

Overall, Project Hail Mary is a certified crowd-pleaser, packed with emotional depth, genuine heart, and nail-biting, visually stunning sequences. Ryan Gosling once again proves why he remains one of the best working actors today, carrying the film with a performance that anchors its spectacle and humanity. More than anything, this is the kind of film audiences should rally behind when it hits theaters. Project Hail Mary is the type of experience that reminds you why you fell in love with movies in the first place.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 (Amazing)