Space: the everlasting frontier in the realm of science fiction. For decades, space has sparked bold sci‑fi adventure on the big screen. The latest film to make this journey is one based on the Andy Weir novel: Project Hail Mary. Directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the film follows Grace (Ryan Gosling) as he works to stop the sun from dying. His mission takes an unexpected turn when he meets Rocky (James Ortiz), an alien who helps him protect both their worlds

The film has been a long time coming, with Miller, Lord, and Gosling involved to create this adaptation since 2020. It quietly built interest through a few early trailers, but everything changed in the months leading up to release as early viewers praised it as an instant classic. That excitement was the final push for me to finally see Project Hail Mary—something I’d been eager for since the very first teaser. As I settled in and journeyed across the stars, one question filled my mind: Is Project Hail Mary the next big leap for sci‑fi films?

A Personal Space Odyssey

Going into this film, I expected it to be a space-faring adventure akin to Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, and while it did have similarities to other sci-fi odysseys, Project Hail Mary was in many ways a refreshing take on the genre. The story was in many ways simplistic, but it was in its execution that made all the difference. The idea of the sun going out was enough to build up the tension, but what really made the plot come to life was the story between Grace and Rocky.

Grace was as endearing as any explorer can be. Perhaps it was the character’s realistic conflict, or maybe it was Gosling’s charisma, but whatever it was, Grace was a stellar protagonist for a sci-fi film. Equally as impressive was the alien Rocky. I would never have imagined that a character like Rocky would be so effective, but sure enough, he proved to be a delight. From his inquisitive nature to his great chemistry with Grace, Rocky was an instant favorite who can count himself among Sci-fi’s more cherished characters.

The grounded storytelling and characters spoke volumes in Miller and Lord’s direction. The duo is no stranger to this kind of direction, as their films like The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse showcased extravagant concepts with wholesome centers. Project Hail Mary was no different, as it featured grandiose ideas with personal morals. Miller and Lord’s keen direction shaped a balanced tone for the film and ultimately crafted a unique experience that showcased the vast wonder of sci-fi adventures.

Out of the World Spectacle

Sometimes, a sci-fi is only as good as its visuals and effects, and Project Hail Mary had it in spades. The film’s visuals and effects were a sheer marvel. Along with Greg Fraser’s keen cinematography, Framstore’s visuals were perfect at blending the practicality and wonder of space. This solid direction was in an array of scenes. Among these scenes was a sequence of Grace and Rocky’s ships docking, and another featured Grace obtaining a sample from an unknown planet. These scenes, truthfully, are only naming a few, as this film was a spectacle to behold from beginning to end.

Equally as impressive was the film’s sound design. The use of sound was perfect as it captured the concept of space in an atmospheric manner. Though perhaps some of the more impressive moments in this area were the scenes that used minimal sounds, and that is where the music came in. The score by Daniel Pemberton encapsulated the film’s atmospheric nature and captured the emotion behind its subtle moments. It shows that, whether it is grandiose or quiet, the use of sound in a space film can make all the difference in the world.

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Project Hail Mary exceeded all my expectations. The sci-fi film was a fantastic adventure that explored not just the vastness of space but the importance of finding one’s humanity. Furthermore, the movie was a spectacle to see as the visuals and effects were out of this world. My only regret about this movie was that I was not able to see it on a larger screen. Regardless, Project Hail Mary was something special, and with its bold steps in filmmaking, it leaves this Film Adventurer astonished, with my hat off to this triumphant sci-fi film.