Ryan Gosling's Latest Sci-Fi Triumph Has 98% on RT and Deserves Every Bit of Hype

One of the biggest sci-fi releases of 2026 is Project Hail Mary – it is the story of a schoolteacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship 11 light-years from Earth.

Here's what makes Project Hail Mary so great and why it's a must-see.

What Is 'Project Hail Mary' About?

Schoolteacher Ryland wakes up on the spaceship Hail Mary. He remembers almost nothing: two crew members are dead, and Earth is more than eleven light-years away.

Gradually, his memory returns, and he recalls that the Sun is losing energy due to alien microorganisms called Astrophage that have settled between the star and Venus. This same threat looms over other star systems, but only Tau Ceti is uninfected.

A ship was sent there to find a way to save humanity. However, in the Tau Ceti system, Ryland discovers an alien ship with a single survivor – a creature that resembles a stone spider and whom Ryland calls Rocky.

'Project Hail Mary' Is Not So Much Science Fiction as It Is a Touching Story of Friendship

At first, the premise seems similar to The Martian, with its emphasis on science and solitary survival. However, it quickly becomes clear that this is a completely different story. Rather than focusing on technological puzzles, the movie focuses on the relationship between Ryland and Rocky.

The alien doesn't resemble the cute creatures in Hollywood blockbusters – it looks like a stone spider with no face or facial expressions.

Thanks to Gosling's brilliant performance, however, we begin to feel Rocky's character, his curiosity, devotion, and even humor. What's more, the actor remains the only person in the frame for most of the film.

Every scene of their interaction, from comical attempts to find common ground to deadly maneuvers, evokes a genuine emotional response.

Lord and Miller Brilliantly Adapted the Book for the Screen & Gosling Delivers One of His Finest Performances

Andy Weir, the author of The Martian, wrote a novel that instantly became a bestseller. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their animated Spider-Man movies, adapted the novel and did a brilliant job.

They deliberately simplified the scientific details, focusing instead on the emotional components and dynamics. This doesn't detract from the film, quite the contrary, it makes Project Hail Mary more accessible and entertaining.

Gosling shoulders the entire burden of responsibility and delivers a flawless performance – his character, Ryland, is lively, charming, resourceful, and genuinely likable.

Project Hail Mary is a rare example of a perfect adaptation that retains the spirit of the book while working as a standalone work.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Project Hail Mary'?

• Project Hail Mary has 95% from critics and 98% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On Letterboxd, the movie has a score of 4.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Project Hail Mary'?

Project Hail Mary is currently playing in theaters.