Cover Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in ‘Project Hail Mary’ (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in ‘Project Hail Mary’ (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
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‘Project Hail Mary’ masterfully weaves humour and hard sci-fi—a must-watch
The premise of Project Hail Mary is not new by any means. Extraterrestrial elements threatening to doom the Earth—rectified only by flying out a spaceship—is a plotline that could fill a bookshelf dozens of times over. And yet, anchored by Greg Fraser’s cinematography, Daniel Pemberton’s score and Ryan Gosling’s signature wit, the film evokes a playful warmth seldom seen in the genre.
Based on Andy Weir’s science fiction novel of the same name, Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a middle school teacher who inexplicably finds himself on the spacecraft Hail Mary, several light years away from home. Two of his colleagues were dead before he awakened. Initially amnesiac, he slowly recalls the purpose of his mission: The sun is slowly dimming due to an alien microorganism dubbed Astrophage. In 30 years, the Earth will be plunged into a new ice age. The distant star of Tau-Ceti, similarly infected yet showing no signs of faltering, could hold the key to survival.
Fair warning—spoilers ahead!
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Above Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) aboard the spacecraft Hail Mary, on a mission to find the key to saving Earth (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) aboard the spacecraft Hail Mary, on a mission to find the key to saving Earth (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
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Project Hail Mary’s non-linear timeline dumps you in the same situation as Grace: with no idea of what’s going on. His initial awakening scene is rife with panic and bewilderment. The tight, claustrophobic corridor shots and constantly shifting angles induce a sense of discomfort and nausea that is hard to shake off. This technique is reused to great effect throughout the film’s tenser moments, constantly keeping you off-balance and on your toes for what comes next. It is also frighteningly good at showing you the scale of isolation that Grace initially faces: no matter what angle or perspective is shown, he is well and truly alone in the vastness of space.
Though the film introduces itself with a rather somber tone, one should not walk into the theatre expecting the same grandeur or seriousness of, say, Interstellar—it is much more lighthearted than the stakes would lead you to believe. Enjoy it for what it is: two roommates, Gosling and an endearing lithoid alien named Rocky (James Ortiz), in what is essentially a bottle episode.
The interactions between Grace and Rocky are by far the most entertaining and memorable portions of the film's two-and-a-half-hour runtime. After establishing that they are in space for the same reason, the two form a close bond over the next few months (or years, it's hard to tell) to work together, often with ala Seinfeld comedic slapstick. Gosling somehow establishes chemistry with a faceless creature; they bounce off each other so naturally that it feels like a night of flawless stand-up improv.
They are essentially two intergalactic tourists visiting a place neither have been to before, bound only by their common goal. It is through this commonality that they gradually open up through cultural exchange: Grace shares the wonders of Earth, while Rocky recounts the customs and intriguing biology of his homeland of Erid. It is heartwarming to see a friendship blossom between worlds, especially when you consider that one can achieve a similar result by walking through an airport.
Above Grace works in a race against time to discover the properties of the Astrophage (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Grace works in a race against time to discover the properties of the Astrophage (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
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Intercut throughout the film are flashbacks which slowly reveal the danger the Earth faces, as well as bits and pieces of Grace's past before he found himself on the Hail Mary. He previously published a paper that hypothesised that life could exist without water, and for this act, he was made a laughingstock of the mainstream scientific community. It was likely this event that sparked his descent into self-perceived mediocrity, so convinced of his own shortcomings that he constantly second-guesses every move he makes, despite clear evidence of his potential.
Government agent Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) recruits Grace to Project Hail Mary to study the Astrophage. In this regard, he excels, thanks in no small part to his staggering resourcefulness and curiosity, eventually leading to breakthroughs that prove invaluable. Grace repeatedly reminds everyone that he isn't the right fit for the job, yet enthusiastically celebrates whenever he inevitably succeeds.
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Above Grace next to Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) and the rest of Project Hail Mary (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Grace next to Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) and the rest of Project Hail Mary (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
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This does not change once he is on the Hail Mary; His first instinct, upon regaining his bearings, was to try and chart a course home, abandoning the idea only when he realises the futility. Grace continues his mission with reluctance, spurred only by the deaths of his colleagues and the impossibility of making it home. Still, even with these doubts clouding every move he makes, he rises to the occasion each time.
Grace's brief conversation with commander Yao Li-Jie (Ken Leun) encapsulates this message poignantly: Grace sheepishly says that he lacks the ‘gene’ for bravery that Li-Jie and the others possess. Turning to him, Li-Jie replies, “You need to find someone to be brave for.” Indeed, by the film’s end, he is a completely different person, forever changed by his time with Rocky.
As charming and entertaining Project Hail Mary is, there are still some proverbial cracks in the hull. The scene in which Grace and Rocky collect Astrophage samples is meant to be, as Grace himself describes, his “moment,” unfortunately fails to leave any lasting impact; the dizzying red blotches neither dazzle nor amaze, seemingly only there to remind the watcher that you are in outer space. The same is true for some humorous moments that had no business being in serious, intimate conversations, consequently diluting much of the emotional weight they would have had.
Above Grace works as a middle school teacher (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Grace works as a middle school teacher (Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
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Project Hail Mary is not The Martian or, as previously mentioned, Interstellar; it doesn’t have to be, nor does it pretend to: It is perfectly content gleefully showing you that the very best of humanity is present in the most unexpected places.
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About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
