---
title: "Project Hail Mary"
year: 2026
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/project-hail-mary"
fi1m_id: "project-hail-mary"
imdb_id: "tt12042730"
tmdb_id: 687163
wikidata_id: "Q107105860"
fi1m_score: 80
critics_score: 77
critics_reviews: 9
published: "2026-09-09"
review_updated: "2026-10-04"
updated: "2026-10-04T19:37:35.183621+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Project Hail Mary (2026)

Directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller · 2h 37m · MPA PG-13 · Science Fiction, Adventure

## Identity

Project Hail Mary

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/project-hail-mary
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** project-hail-mary
- **IMDb ID:** tt12042730
- **TMDB ID:** 687163
- **Wikidata ID:** Q107105860
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/687163, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107105860

**Fi1m score: 80** · Critics 77 from 9 reviews

*In a sentence:* Ryan Gosling talks himself through the end of the world, one sum at a time, and it takes 157 minutes

> Lord and Miller’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel is warm, clever and likeable, with Ryan Gosling at his most puzzled and a puppet co-star worth the ticket on its own. It is half an hour too long, and the flashbacks are to blame.

## Synopsis

Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Two crewmates are dead in the beds beside him, and a computer will not tell him anything until he can answer simple sums. As his memory comes back in pieces, flashbacks return him to Earth, where Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) is assembling a mission to find out why the sun is dimming. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller direct from Andy Weir’s novel, with a screenplay by Drew Goddard. James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce and Ken Leung are among the cast.

## Review

Ryland Grace wakes up in a bed he does not recognise with a tube in his arm, a computer asking him what two plus two is, and two dead people in the beds beside him. He does not know his name or that he is on a spaceship. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, working from Andy Weir’s novel with a script by Drew Goddard, let Ryan Gosling find all this out at the same pace we do, and it is the most enjoyable stretch of exposition we have sat through in years. The film that follows is warm, clever and easy to like. It is also 157 minutes long, and it earns perhaps 120 of them.

Gosling plays Grace as a man who talks himself through his own fear, out loud, and is mildly surprised each time it works. Goddard gives him a great deal of thinking to do on camera, and Gosling does it without strain: baffled, then pleased with himself. The memory returns in flashbacks to Earth, where Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) is assembling a mission to find out why the sun is dimming and has decided, against all advice, that she needs a school science teacher to fly it. Hüller plays Stratt as a woman who stopped apologising for anything some years ago, and she is good company for the minutes she is given.

Grace does not stay alone for the whole voyage, and we will not say what he finds; the film takes its time getting there. The company he eventually keeps is a puppet rather than a computer effect, and that is the right call. It has weight; when it moves you can hear it, and Grace flinches, and so did we. The long stretch in which the two of them work out how to say yes, no and eventually friend moved us more than we expected, and more than anything else in the film. Lord and Miller turn the jokes down here and let it run.

Greig Fraser, who shot [*Dune*](https://film.one/film/dune), lights the ship with the sun pouring through one small window and the rest of the cabin lit by screens, so that Grace’s face is either blazing or blue. Outside, the ship is a small bright thing against a great deal of black. Fraser has no interest in making space frightening; he makes it big and quiet and rather lovely instead. Charles Wood’s production design gives Grace a laboratory in which everything is strapped down, labelled and slightly too small, and the film gets a good deal of comedy out of a man doing serious science with his elbows pinned. Daniel Pemberton’s score is brass and warm strings, and it knows when to stop.

The trouble is Earth. Joel Negron cuts back to the flashbacks every ten or fifteen minutes, and each one tells us something we need to know and stops the film to do it. Stratt’s story, of a woman handed absolute authority and using it, is interesting, and the film treats it as a set of instructions. Hüller deserved more. We noticed the time at around the ninety-minute mark, during a flashback in a conference room, and once we had noticed it we kept noticing. The script also cannot leave a solemn moment alone; there is always a line waiting, and a few arrive exactly when the film had us, and we could feel it letting go.

Weir’s *The Martian* was about a man keeping himself alive with duct tape and arithmetic, and this is the same idea with better company. There are no villains here, no sabotage, no crew member going quietly mad, and it is a relief to sit through a science-fiction film in which the problem is the problem. Lord and Miller made *21 Jump Street*, and their instinct for a gag every forty seconds is here in full. What is new is the patience.

See it in a cinema, where the ship is small and the black is enormous. At home it will be a good, long, friendly film. That is not nothing, but the size is doing some of the work.

*Fi1m score 80, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics are warm on Project Hail Mary, and the praise gathers in two places: Ryan Gosling, who is repeatedly called an exact fit for the stranded, amnesiac astronaut, and his friendship with the alien Rocky, which nearly every review treats as the heart of the film. Lord and Miller’s direction is credited with keeping the science digestible and the tone buoyant, with several reviews reaching for Spielberg and The Martian as points of comparison, and the practical effects and puppetry earn specific mentions.

The reservations cluster on length. Empire counts one ending too many and Den of Geek blames the flashbacks for the runtime. The spread is fairly wide. Vulture finds the jokes undercut the film’s sincerity, The Guardian calls it breezy but a bit silly with dull patches, and The Observer stands alone in finding it cynically calculated and lazily plotted, while still admitting the human-alien friendship is warm.

## Straight answers

**Is Project Hail Mary worth watching?**

*Project Hail Mary* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a science-fiction film in which the problem is the problem, and we scored it 73. Ryan Gosling talking himself through his own fear is good company, and his puppet co-star is worth the ticket alone. It runs 157 minutes and earns perhaps 120; the Earth flashbacks are what drag.

**How long is Project Hail Mary, and what is it rated?**

*Project Hail Mary* runs 2h 37m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is a science fiction and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Project Hail Mary in the US?**

*Project Hail Mary* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and The Roku Channel in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $5.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Project Hail Mary, and is it suitable for children?**

*Project Hail Mary* is a UK 12A and a gentle one: there are no villains, no sabotage and nobody going quietly mad, and space is shot as big and quiet rather than frightening. Grace wakes beside two dead crewmates, which is the film's grimmest image. Children of about ten upwards who can sit through a long film should be fine.

**How does Project Hail Mary compare to The Martian?**

*Project Hail Mary* is the same Andy Weir idea as [*The Martian*](https://film.one/film/the-martian), a stranded man solving problems with arithmetic, but with better company and a warmer heart. The earlier film is the tighter and more purely practical of the two, and it keeps its explanations lively without flashbacks. Choose the newer one if you want friendship with your physics.

**Is Project Hail Mary based on a true story or a book?**

*Project Hail Mary* is based on Andy Weir's novel of the same name, not on a true story; the sun is not dimming and there is no school teacher in orbit. Drew Goddard's screenplay keeps the book's habit of thinking out loud, with Gosling working things out at our pace. You need not have read it.

**What should I watch after Project Hail Mary?**

After *Project Hail Mary*, try [*The Martian*](https://film.one/film/the-martian) (2015, Fi1m 82): Weir’s earlier stranded man, solving problems with arithmetic and no alien to talk to. Then [*Arrival*](https://film.one/film/arrival) (2016, Fi1m 86): First contact as a language lesson, taken slowly and seriously, with Amy Adams doing the grammar; and [*Moon*](https://film.one/film/the-twilight-saga-new-moon) (2009, Fi1m 48): One man, one base, one problem, done on a small budget with real patience.

### Reviews we read (18)

- **Empire**, John Nugent (80/100, inferred): The film is witty, wise and preposterously entertaining, an old-school crowdpleaser with Lord and Miller’s joyful direction, Gosling’s charismatic turn and a warm buddy dynamic with the alien Rocky. It is a space-smash about clever speculative concepts, though slightly lengthy with one ending too many. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/project-hail-mary/)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4/5): The critic praises the film's warm, human-centered sci-fi story and Ryan Gosling's charming performance as the amnesiac astronaut, highlighting the heartwarming cross-species buddy dynamic with the alien Rocky and its Spielberg-like sense of wonder. It notes the film is slightly overlong but remains engaging and reassuring overall. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/project-hail-mary-review/)
- **The Independent**, Clarisse Loughrey (4/5): The critic calls it a sci-fi dazzler and top-shelf nostalgia that blends past greats like Spielberg and Kubrick into a familiar yet fresh package. It is immensely likeable and technically impressive thanks to Gosling and Hüller’s pairing and digestible science, though it carries a whiff of retro comfort. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/ryan-gosling-project-hail-mary-review-b2939943.html)
- **Total Film**, Molly Edwards (75/100, inferred): The review highlights large-scale sci-fi with tons of heart, focusing on the film’s emotional core and spectacle in the vein of The Martian. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/)
- **Vulture** (45/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining but overly reliant on jokes that undercut its sincerity and intelligence, noting it succeeds more as a crowd-pleasing, childlike sci-fi adventure than a deeper exploration. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-project-hail-mary-needs-39-percent-fewer-jokes.html)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland: The review describes the film as enormously entertaining and genuinely inspiring, praising the adaptation's focus on the lead's partnership with the alien character and its blend of process and wonder. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling-1235182885/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole: The review praises the comedic spin on the novel's premise, highlighting the buddy dynamic between the human and alien leads and the film's optimistic tone, while noting some drag from flashbacks. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling-phil-lord-christopher-miller/)
- **The Guardian**: The film is a bit silly with moments of dullness and puppyish silliness, but Ryan Gosling’s effortless charm keeps it watchable as a breezy, unserious sci-fi adventure. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/10/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-goslings-charm-carries-unserious-last-ditch-space-mission)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic calls the film a soaring interplanetary buddy movie that demonstrates the directors' knack for buoyant humor and heartfelt emotion. Gosling's performance is singled out for striking the right balance between comedy and sincerity. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling-sandra-huller-1236522665/)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis: The critic praises the film as an upbeat, feather-light science-fiction fantasy that embraces the beauty, mystery, and playfulness of outer space rather than its terrors. Gosling is singled out as an impeccable fit for the humor and vulnerability of the reluctant hero role. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/movies/project-hail-mary-gosling-review.html)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide: The insistently feelgood, thunderously dumb sci-fi adventure tries too hard to be loved and is a cynically calculated crowd-pleaser with a lazy, coincidence-driven plot, though the human-alien friendship is warm and the alien design original. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/ryan-goslings-charm-cant-save-project-hail-mary)
- **The Telegraph**: Ryan Gosling teams up with a cute alien to save Earth in a zippy, nourishing buddy-movie space epic that is great fun, with excellent practical effects and heart-warming story. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling/)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher: Ryan Gosling’s charisma and deadpan irreverence power this brainy but funny sci-fi spectacular about a stranded astronaut to the highest entertainment orbit; Gosling is perfectly cast. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-goslings-charisma-is-out-of-this-world-b6cw2vwjl)
- **Collider**, Ross Bonaime (9/10): The critic calls it the first great film of 2026, praising Lord and Miller's return to directing with a grand, hilarious, emotional, and awe-inspiring sci-fi epic adapted from Andy Weir's novel. Gosling's lead performance and the central human-alien friendship with Rocky are singled out as highlights that make the film sing. [Read](https://collider.com/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling-sci-fi-lord-miller/)
- **Polygon**, Tasha Robinson (90/100, inferred): The critic finds the film everything fans hoped for and a worthy companion to The Martian, delivering a funny, strange, heartening, and completely satisfying adaptation. It excels through its lively emotional core, character-driven problem-solving focus, and the winning blend of humor and stakes in the central bromance with the alien Rocky. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (85/100, inferred): The film succeeds as an entertaining and engaging science fiction story that emphasizes humanity and connection over hardware or destruction. It stands out for its intimate use of large-scale Imax visuals, Gosling's strong lead performance, and the heartwarming buddy dynamic with the alien Rocky. [Read](https://deadline.com/2026/03/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling-save-earth-deep-space-1236746758/)
- **The Wrap** (80/100, inferred): Lord and Miller deliver a thrilling, attractive outer space adventure-comedy with drama that moves the viewer, evoking wonder through epic visuals and optimistic storytelling without contrived conflict. The film excels in its human story of hope and the central relationship but could have built more suspense in the third act. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/project-hail-mary-review-ryan-gosling/)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (4.5 out of 5): The film is a satisfying and charming space odyssey that turns Andy Weir's hard sci-fi premise into accessible, propulsive popcorn entertainment with an interspecies buddy dynamic at its heart. The critic singles out the visual thoughtfulness of the space sequences and the puppeteered alien sidekick for praise, while noting the overlong runtime from excessive flashbacks as a minor flaw. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/project-hail-mary-review-sci-fi-that-goes-down-easy/)

## Details

- **Director:** Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
- **Director:** Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
- **Screenplay:** Drew Goddard
- **Novel:** Andy Weir
- **Cinematography:** Greig Fraser
- **Editor:** Joel Negron
- **Music:** Daniel Pemberton
- **Production design:** Charles Wood
- **Costume design:** David Crossman, Glyn Dillon
- **Producer:** Rachel O'Connor, Ryan Gosling, Aditya Sood
- **Cast:** Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace; Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt; James Ortiz as Rocky (voice); Lionel Boyce as Carl; Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina; Ken Leung as Yao; Priya Kansara as Mary (voice); Mia Soteriou as Dr. Browne
- **Runtime:** 2h 37m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 20 March 2026
- **Genres:** Science Fiction, Adventure
- **Budget:** $200 million
- **Box office:** $684 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYea63tQmI

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Apple TV: add-on, uhd
- The Roku Channel: add-on, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $5.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $5.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Martian* (2015), Fi1m 82: Weir’s earlier stranded man, solving problems with arithmetic and no alien to talk to. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-martian.md)
- *Arrival* (2016), Fi1m 86: First contact as a language lesson, taken slowly and seriously, with Amy Adams doing the grammar. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/arrival.md)
- *Enemy Mine* (1985): A human and an alien stranded together, learning to stand each other; sillier, and sincere.
- *Moon* (2009), Fi1m 48: One man, one base, one problem, done on a small budget with real patience. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-twilight-saga-new-moon.md)
- *Ikarie XB-1* (1963): Czechoslovak deep-space voyage, quiet and strange, from before the genre learned to shout.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/project-hail-mary