StubStack: Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary is an epic crowd-pleaser—and the best movie of 2026 so far.

I had my doubts, especially once the first trailer dropped and revealed a lighter, warmer tone than I typically enjoy. But after reading the wave of rave early reviews, my interest reignited, and I slotted it into My Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2026.

I was right to do so.

Project Hail Mary is heartwarming, heartrending, and relentlessly humorous.

Ryan Gosling’s movie star charisma is on full display. He carries the entire film as Dr. Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher reluctantly plucked from his life to help save the world from an alien lifeform extinguishing the sun.

Despite his undeniable charm and good looks, Gosling imbues Grace with a cowardice, a weaseliness essential to the character, without ever making him unlikable. He’s self-deprecating, clever, goofy, and just incredibly easy to spend time with.

The relationship he develops with his co-star only makes him more endearing.

Part of me wishes the marketing team had kept the alien’s presence in the film a secret. Instead, they made Rocky a central piece of the film’s promotion. Had they held that card closer to the chest, his arrival might have landed with even more impact.

Still, while this is very much Gosling’s film, Rocky does his darndest to steal it—and nearly succeeds. Remarkably little CGI was used to bring him to life. Instead, the filmmakers relied on animatronics and puppetry, which gives Rocky a tactile, lifelike presence. You can feel the difference, especially in how Gosling interacts with him; it’s a real performance, not one aimed at a tennis ball.

Rocky’s vocal intonations, speaking cadence, and the quirks of the translation device give every one of his scenes a comedic spark. Lines like “Fist my bump” and “Amaze, amaze, amaze” already feel destined for internet immortality. He’s childlike in some ways, yet possesses the intelligence of a seasoned scientist—an incredibly endearing combination.

The friendship between Rocky and Grace is the heart of the film, and it’s nothing short of magical.

What that relationship draws out of Grace is the point of the movie. At one moment, Grace admires the bravery of an astronaut preparing for a suicide mission, lamenting his own lack of courage. The astronaut responds, “You just need to find someone to be brave for.” That idea becomes the film’s emotional thesis: that becoming our best selves often requires someone—or something—outside of ourselves.

Rocky isn’t the only visual triumph. The set design, costuming, and effects make nearly every frame a pleasure to look at. The ship’s interiors and exteriors feel tangible and lived-in, and the technology—how it functions and is used—feels grounded and logical. Even the way the ships move is distinct, engaging, and occasionally funny.

Simply put: everything about space in this movie looks great. The vastness, the silence, the stars, the planets—and one particular “moment” that is truly awe-inspiring.

I also loved the film’s percussive, playful score. It understands the tone perfectly, enhancing scenes without overwhelming them. Just as importantly, the film knows when to pull the music—or all sound—away, letting the silence draw the audience in.

Structurally, the film uses a clever device to keep things engaging. Grace awakens on the ship with no memory, and as the story unfolds, we’re taken back to earlier moments in his life. These sequences aren’t just standard flashbacks; they mirror his gradual process of remembering who he is and how he got there. Some viewers may read them more traditionally, but either way, it’s a smart piece of storytelling.

Gosling and his alien counterpart aren’t alone, of course. Sandra Hüller plays the seemingly emotionless leader of the mission, delivering bone-dry line readings that often double as punchlines. A karaoke scene, in which she performs a perfectly chosen Harry Styles song, is a standout.

Lionel Boyce is also a welcome addition as Carl, a security agent who assists Grace with his experiments. His comedic timing and earnest belief in Grace add another layer of warmth to the film.

Adapted from Andy Weir’s novel (the author of The Martian), the film shares that story’s optimistic, science-forward spirit—anchored by a charismatic movie star performance.

If you liked The Martian, you’ll like Project Hail Mary—you might even love it. I do. In fact, I prefer it.

That’s despite a slightly overextended ending. The final 20–30 minutes are good—occasionally great—but the film feels like it ends three or four times before actually wrapping up. It’s a minor frustration, but a noticeable one.

Still, Project Hail Mary is a wondrous success. I laughed, I cried, I was moved by the friendship, and I was consistently awed by the imagery.

I can’t ask for much more than that.

See it on the biggest IMAX screen you can find!