Project Hail Mary (5 stars)
Sooo…I’ve seen this movie probably like 3 or 4 times….this month. So why would I say this is my favorite movie of 2026/my new hyper fixation. Well, some background: I do really enjoy sci-fi a lot, I would go as far is to say it’s one of my favorite movie genres, besides comedy or fantasy. Also Ryan Gosling. Dreamboat. Nuff said. No, but in all seriousness, the trailer got my attention. My partner and I love going to the movies (he probably loves to go more than I do), so I’ve seen this trailer more times than the average person. I loved the vibe and the mystery of why this gorgeous man with no memory and why he’s in space, all while he encounters some alien creature that seemed very akin to ET. I had to know more.
This trailer actually got me to READ THE BOOK. Well, actually it got me to listen to the audiobook, read by the amazing Ray Porter. For those unaware, I hate reading. Never saw the joy in it, was preferred to actually see things rather than imagine them (ironic for an artist). So I find audiobooks the more fun way to read, having listen to several before this. I just get a more concrete idea of what I’m hearing and how I should take it all in. Anywho, the book is amazing, no surprise (or should I say amaze amaze amaze). Do I prefer it to the movie? Mmm, not really. Only because there’s a lot of science babble that goes on forever and, as much as Mr. Porter’s narration tries makes it interesting, I can’t help but feel like I’m failing my science classes all over again and I usually skip over these parts.
Now let me actually talk about the movie, because it’s wonderful and everyone-should-sEe-It-AnD-I-HOPE-IT-GETS-ALL-THE-AWARDS………getting off topic. Also I will keep this spoiler free because, as frantically mentioned in the previous sentence, it deserves to be watched, now on Prime Video (blog is not sponsored by Prime Video). So what is even the plot? It starts with our “hero” Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling and also one of the producers) waking up in what looks like hospital with crazy robot arms “tending” to his needs. He has no memory of who he is or what he’s doing in this strange, sterile-looking area. All he knows is that he’s alone and, after some searching around, he’s in space. Though spontaneous flashbacks, we learn that Grace was a middle-school science teacher approached by Eva Stratt (played by Sandra Hüller) about a serious issue with the rapidly-decreasing temperature of our Sun. Why go to a middle school teacher? Well apparently Grace is a smart cookie with a doctorate in molecular biology and Stratt needs the smartest minds she can get to prevent this oncoming apocalypse. During these flashbacks, we see what kind of person Grace is and what lead him on this mission. And then we’re hit with the ultimate plot turn of encountering another ship, which may or may not be there for the same reason. And with that, this movie is a wholesome romp about friendship and courage. And it deserves all the flowers.
So what actually makes this film incredible? For starters, it’s actually a very close adaptation of the book. Sure there are things that had to be cut out or changed to fit what’s already a pretty long movie (almost 2 and a half hours, not including credits), but it keeps in the spirit of it’s themes and major plot points, so both fans of this and the novel will be pleasantly surprised. I’d argue that this movie is a lot funnier than the novel. Sure the book as some humorous moments (“fist me!” and “fist my bump!” iykyk), but I’d argue it’s much easier to get comedy across in a film than a movie. Either that or the brilliant direction by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who also directed The Lego Movie and 22 Jump Street, two of the funniest films I’ve seen in a long time. Also credit where credit is due, the acting is brilliant. Ryan Gosling (dreamboat) is certainly perfect as the socially-awkward yet incredibly brave Ryland Grace and he adds this certain charm that has definitely not lead to me doing fanart of him. He’s not alone though: his alien counterpart Rocky (puppeteered and voice by James Ortiz) is probably one of the best parts of both the book and film. He’s sassy, adorable but also extremely intelligent. To me, he’s not like a dog or a comic lil sidekick that these films generally have, but an equal to Grace, and their friendship throughout the film in the core of this movie. Eva Stratt is also great in this movie. She has the same cold and harsh demeanor about her and her complex relationship with Grace is definitely present, but I think it was best to soften her up compared to her book version.
All-in-all, the directing, the writing, the acting and especially the musical score (“Grace Go Home” is one I have on repeat when I need a good cry) is why I call this my favorite movie of 2026. I’m not going to say “of all time” because I think the movie is a bit too new to be called that, at least for me. But believe me, I’m gonna keep watching this whenever I feel like putting it on and keep annoying by bf with it (who only gave it like 3/5). If you have Prime Video, go and stream it now, I know I will….right now!