Project Hail Mary Review: Ryan Gosling Sci-Fi Thrills & Delivers

Ryan Gosling’s latest film, “Project Hail Mary,” released in theaters on March 20, 2026, delivering a science fiction experience that has captivated audiences, according to early reviews.

The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, author of “The Martian.” The story centers on Ryland Grace, a school teacher and former biologist who awakens on a spacecraft with amnesia. The plot unfolds through a combination of present-day events aboard the Hail Mary spacecraft and flashbacks revealing the circumstances that led Grace to his predicament.

The narrative addresses a looming global catastrophe: a mysterious dimming of the Sun caused by alien microbes generating a phenomenon dubbed the Petrova line. Former European Space Agency administrator Eva Stratt is tasked with leading a global effort to find a solution, granted broad authority to address the crisis. A probe sent to Venus discovered the source of the Petrova line.

Sam Gassaway, a film critic, praised Gosling’s performance, noting his ability to carry scenes despite being the sole human character for much of the film. Gassaway also highlighted the cinematography by Greig Fraser, describing it as “dripping with cinematic goodness” and crucial to conveying the emotional weight of the story.

The film shares thematic similarities with Weir’s previous work, “The Martian,” including the use of video diaries and technical scientific jargon. However, the directing style of Lord and Miller brings a distinct emotional core to the narrative, particularly in the relationship between Gosling’s character and his alien co-star, Rocky.

“Project Hail Mary” has already garnered attention for its technical achievements. The audiobook version, narrated by Ray Porter, won the 2022 Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year. As of January 2026, the novel had been featured on the New York Times’ best-seller list for 28 consecutive weeks.

Andy Weir has recently announced a new science fiction novel, signaling his continued commitment to the genre. While a sequel to “Project Hail Mary” is not currently planned, the success of both the novel and the film adaptation suggests a continued interest in Weir’s storytelling.