Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity — but he may not have to do it alone.
Review
Dr. Grace (Gosling) finds himself the sole person tasked with saving Earth. Suns from many solar systems are dying out, except for one. Project Hail Mary is created to find out why and see if they can save our sun in the process. With Dr. Grace’s memory still fuzzy as he wakes up from a forced coma, he quickly learns he is not the only one seeking answers. Another species is having the same issue, but Dr. Grace must figure out how to communicate with them and work together to find answers. But this other species is a rock-like creature. So, of course, he names him Rocky.
The film is an adaptation of the book by the same name. The film cuts out some of the more laborious details of the science and lets us, as the audience, figure it out, but it is still heavy on scientific lingo and explanation as the story progresses. It uses a slow flashback reveal as Dr. Grace begins to recall small fragments of his memory and the events that led him to this mission. One thing I appreciate about the story is the way they portray Dr. Grace’s honesty and humility in his willingness to be a part of the project, in a space where he feels very underqualified.
The buddy duo of Dr. Grace and Rocky is full of heart and emotion as each tries to learn a bit more about the other. Their insecurities and strengths complement eachother as they take on the daunting task of solving the mystery of what is killing their suns. Sandra Hüller as Eva plays a very stoic and unemotional lead of the scientific and government forces running the mission. While there are a few moments of good interaction with Dr. Grace, her character felt very wooden and uninteresting. Thankfully, she plays a minor role in the grand scheme of the story itself.
Visually, Project Hail Mary uses practical sets and stages, eliminating the need for green-screen sets. So few films are shot specifically for premium format screens, even when they advertise them as ‘for IMAX’. However, much like Avatar: Fire & Ash, Project Hail Mary is a film you MUST see in true IMAX to enjoy its visual grandeur, from the spacewalk scenes to the color shifts throughout.
Gosling’s comedic timing and casual ‘just a teacher’ vibe add a level of humanity and grounded connection to the character of Dr. Grace. Project Hail Mary is one of the best films of the year so far. This is a perfect audition for the audience, as Gosling prepares to enter the Star Wars universe in Starfighter.