Hubble Ultra Deep Field photo, public domain

Project Hail Mary

I finally got to join a worldwide phenomenon AS it ishappening, instead of waiting 10 years while childrearing. I’ve seen “Project Hail Mary” three times in the theater, so you know it’s good. I wouldn’t waste the time or the money otherwise. This film has an odd rewatchability…some people on X have seen it upwards of 20 times already.

We are all so desperate for some hope in a constantly changing world. I LOVE this film because it gives us hope, in spades. It has a happy ending, which I won’t spoil for you. Pick up a copy of the book, read it, and then watch the movie on Amazon or another streaming service.

“Project Hail Mary” is the story of a man who wakes up in space with amnesia. He has no idea where he is, or who he is. His crewmates have died, and he slowly recalls that he has been given a mission to save Earth. Our planet will cool drastically, ending all life because something is covering up the sun and draining its energy. The man’s name is Ryland Grace, and he is a middle school science teacher played by Ryan Gosling.

Grace meets an alien who has a similar mission to save his planet. Astrophage, the sun eater has also threatened most of the galaxy. Now, this is not a film like “Alien” or “Predator.” It is more like an updated version of “E.T.” but in space. And if you are of a certain age, you may recall that “E.T.” made lots of money, because people brought their kids to see it, over and over again.

The same thing is happening with Project Hail Mary. The fans are all aglow with pre-Oscar buzz, people are knitting fox sweaters like the one Grace wears, and scientists are all debating the finer points of astrophysics and microbiology. It is WILD.

Due to an extended theater run, this movie may still be viewable on a big screen. It was shot for IMAX, and is a real crowd-pleaser. I haven’t heard so much laughing in a theater since before covid…and Gosling appeared to theatergoers in New York with an encouraging speech about making films that audiences actually want to come see.

I hope many more people see this film, and encourage others to share the light. It is rated PG-13, mostly for intense peril and the topic of death. But the happy ending more than makes up for the danger that humanity, and Ryland Grace himself, face in the quest to save Earth.