I just finished watching Project Hail Mary, and here’s why I believe it’s among the top films of the year.

      Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have created a must-see film of 2026 with their new sci-fi comedy, Project Hail Mary. Adapted from Andy Weir's novel, the story starts with Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up on a spaceship with no recollection of his identity. He soon recalls that he was sent into space to prevent the Sun and humanity from perishing, and he forms a friendship with a “crab-rock” alien (James Ortiz) who is on a similar mission.

      Fueled by a skilled cast and crew, Project Hail Mary offers a grand, impressive blockbuster that intertwines an exhilarating alien adventure with touching human drama. Those who love classic sci-fi films like The Martian, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Interstellar will appreciate Project Hail Mary, which has already positioned itself as a contemporary classic.

      Ryan Gosling and Rocky make a fantastic pair

      Sony Pictures UK / Sony Pictures UK

      Similar to The Martian, another adaptation of an Andy Weir novel, Project Hail Mary showcases a comedic everyman’s fight for survival in space. Unlike Matt Damon’s character in the former, Gosling's character appears to be the least likely candidate for an astronaut. From the very beginning, Gosling convincingly portrays Grace as an average guy who is way out of his depth when tasked with saving humanity from extinction.

      Gosling has shown he can lead thrilling sci-fi films like Blade Runner 2049 and First Man. However, Grace is not the cool, self-assured hero seen in those films. Instead, he embodies a bumbling fool reminiscent of his role in The Nice Guys, showcasing Gosling’s versatility as an actor.

      Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon MGM Studios

      Project Hail Mary also introduces a new alien icon in Rocky, whose chemistry with Grace is exceptional. He enters Grace’s ship with the enthusiasm and curiosity of a golden retriever, and the two become like college roommates, trying to coexist and collaborate.

      His rapid-fire, garbled dialogue brings a lot of humor to the story, reminiscent of the robots in The Mitchells vs. The Machines. He also exhibits deep affection, showing remarkable care and loyalty to Grace as they both strive to save their respective peoples. Whatever materials compose Rocky’s body, his heart is pure gold.

      The distinct direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

      Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon MGM Studios

      For the first time since directing a portion of 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller co-directed Project Hail Mary. While it had been some time since the duo directed a feature film, their clever, subversive storytelling can be seen in their animated Spider-Man films, which feature the quirky and self-referential humor present in Project Hail Mary.

      Like Lord and Miller’s previous works, Project Hail Mary is a metamodern space film that nods to and pays respect to classics such as Apollo 13, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and 2001. It does not aim to be a groundbreaking film but provides a fresh and enjoyable cinematic experience. It's not every day one witnesses Ryan Gosling performing karaoke on a holodeck with an alien crab-rock.

      “One unique aspect of this story is that many films feature a character who feels at home on Earth, wakes up in space, and feels isolated. This film is about someone who feels lonely on Earth, ventures into space, and finds a friend,” Lord shared with BFI. “We wanted space to feel inviting in a humorous way. The cold vacuum of space is actually warm and welcoming. You’re closer to heaven. We aimed for the film's visual texture to feel more homely.”

      Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon MGM Studios

      In Project Hail Mary, Lord and Miller maintain their style of infusing comedic narratives with genuine emotion and optimism. Behind Grace’s star-faring journey with an alien rock lies the story of a man uncovering his bravery after grappling with profound self-doubt. He may be an unconventional hero, but he discovers courage by learning to believe in himself and finding a friend to fight for.

      However, the duo cannot claim all the credit, as the film's witty and heartfelt screenplay was written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Drew Goddard. Having crafted scripts for sci-fi classics like Cloverfield and The Martian, Goddard played a crucial role in bringing Grace and Rocky’s story to life on screen with humor and warmth.

      “In Project Hail Mary, the protagonist is a fish out of water,” Goddard said in an interview with Variety. “It needed to feel rough around the edges, even a bit imperfect. We didn’t want him to seem like a flawless astronaut. As for Rocky’s character…Phil and Chris excel at uncovering the humanity within these eccentric characters. That’s what this film needed.”

      A remarkable accomplishment in filmmaking

      Sony Pictures / Sony Pictures

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