Based on the 2021 novel of the same name, Project Hail Mary is a new film written by Drew Goddard and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Destined to be one of 2026’s most talked-about films, this sweeping science-fiction adventure is designed to please a wide spectrum of viewers. But while the film is very entertaining, a few important issues position it firmly in the category of “good but not great”.
After waking up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there, a science teacher finds himself on a mission to save Earth. Ryan Gosling plays our protagonist and is joined by Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz and Lionel Boyce.
Project Hail Mary is an epic science fiction romp. It ticks the boxes of a successful blockbuster and conveys its plot in an easily digestible manner. The movie moves at a quick pace, but is never boring thanks to Ryan Gosling’s ability to carry every scene. Furthermore, Greig Fraser’s cinematography is quite stunning, and Daniel Pemberton’s score is addictively pleasing.
At the helm, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are directors who can mix many elements to create an efficient narrative. Their filmmaking style flourishes in moments featuring humour, spectacle or both. They are also tremendously skilled at establishing non-traditional characters who are very likeable. In Project Hail Mary, this has never been truer than with the individual known as “Rocky”.
With all this in mind, one can’t help but sense that the film is missing some key ingredients that would have elevated it beyond its current status as a solid sci-fi story. The picture is never surprising, as its script takes us on a path with few surprises. Its plain structure prevents the film from having true stakes, which is unfortunate for a narrative involving such a deadly scenario.
Furthermore, the movie utilises many flashbacks within its storytelling. This is another fault, as these sequences add little to the plot and frustratingly seem hell-bent on building character depth that has already been established in the story’s main timeline. This, combined with the movie’s overly long ending, adds many minutes to what is an already bloated runtime.
Finally, while the film is very funny, its humour often undercuts moments that should have been approached seriously. Some scenes deserved quieter contemplation instead of a near-constant barrage of quips.
Project Hail Mary is entertaining despite failing to reach its potential. But, all in all, we cannot forget that this is a really fun time at the cinema. The film may suffer from the burden of expectation, but the final product is still highly enjoyable and extremely well-crafted.