Two things are true about Project Hail Mary, whether or not you end up liking the movie. You will be stuck with 'Sign of the Times' by Harry Styles in your head for at least a week, and you will fall in love with a rock-like alien named Rocky. Sadly, it's not Rocky singing 'Sign of the Times', but we can still imagine how adorable that'd be.
But first, some context. Adapted from Andy Weir's novel of the same name, Project Hail Mary opens with science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up on a spaceship with no idea of how he got there or why he's there. As he pieces it together, he realises that he's on a mission to save humanity by working out why a mysterious substance is causing the sun to die out.
Thankfully, even though he seems to be alone in his mission, Grace soon makes an unexpected friendship with the previously-mentioned alien. And so begins a delightful buddy movie that is also a spectacular sci-fi epic which also proves to be a flawless adaptation of the beloved novel.
As with The Martian, Drew Goddard was charged with adapting Andy Weir's science-heavy novel for the big screen. The 156-minute runtime – which absolutely races by thanks to excellent pacing – might seem like he's included a lot, but it's an effectively streamlined version of the story that skims over a lot of the hard science and pivots to the story's emotional core.
There aren't many surprises that await book fans, although Goddard's script does add a couple of scenes including a 'Sign of the Times' karaoke moment that leads to it being stuck in your head. The structure is the same, with a flashback format to Grace's time on Earth pre-mission which, if you're lucky enough to see on an IMAX screen, switches between aspect ratios for space and Earth scenes.
If you're a fan of the novel due to its hard science, then you might find yourself disappointed. For instance, one game-changing revelation is dealt with in a swift montage and a lot of the science aspects have been streamlined. It also means some of the minor book characters don't make the cut.
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However, it's more likely that it's the connection between Grace and Rocky that fans enjoyed the most from the novel, and it's smartly given the full focus here over extensive scenes of Grace doing experiments.
You know exactly where the story is going if you've read the novel, yet the movie still manages to be emotional in its key moments. The decision to use practical effects for Rocky, who was brought to life by puppeteer and on-set performer James Ortiz along with his team, means that you feel the genuine connection between Grace and Rocky.
What's most impressive about Rocky is that even before he's brilliantly voiced by Ortiz, who captures the childlike innocence and dry sarcasm perfectly, you know exactly what he's thinking. You will fall in love immediately with this cheeky little rock-like alien and bemoan the fact you do not have a Rocky in your life. It's hard to imagine another movie character this year surpassing Rocky as your favourite 2026 character.
Of course, Rocky isn't alone and Ryan Gosling's instantly likeable performance as Grace is an important part of their connection. The movie amps up the comedy when it comes to Grace, playing to Gosling's strengths, but doesn't shy away from the darker moments of the story, remaining faithful to the novel.
As good as Gosling is though, even a collection of the world's greatest actors together in a scene would struggle collectively to take the attention away from Rocky. You will come out of Project Hail Mary wanting to ask everybody to "fist my bump" and greeting even minor good news in your life with "amaze amaze amaze".
The practical effects on Rocky expand to the rest of the movie, with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller favouring physical sets and LED backgrounds over green screen. It pays off with spectacular space vistas and thrilling set pieces, giving a scale to Project Hail Mary that make it as successful as an epic sci-fi blockbuster as well as an intimate buddy movie that just happens to be about saving the world.
Ultimately, Project Hail Mary manages the tricky task of appealing to fans of the novel with an adaptation from people who clearly love it as much, while also ensuring it can bring new fans to this hopeful and affecting story. Whether you're already a fan or not, you will believe in the Hail Mary.
Project Hail Mary is released in UK cinemas on 19 March, with previews on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March.
The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Harry Styles, is here! Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
