Early reactions to Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s sci-fi comedy, “Project Hail Mary,” are overwhelmingly positive, with critics highlighting a stellar performance from Ryan Gosling and calling the film a potential awards contender. The film, based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir, is set to release on March 20th and has already generated significant buzz following preview screenings for members of the film press.
Many reviewers are hailing “Project Hail Mary” as a standout blockbuster for 2026. The story follows Ryland Grace, portrayed by Gosling, a school teacher who awakens on a spaceship far from Earth with no memory of his journey. He must then piece together the events that led him to his current predicament – a mission to save the sun from a mysterious, potentially catastrophic entity.
Gosling’s Performance Draws Rave Reviews
Ryan Gosling’s performance is consistently singled out as a major strength of the film. Film critic Eric Marchen described the movie as “the first great blockbuster of 2026,” praising the “out-of-this-world cinematography from Greig Fraser” and a “stellar Ryan Gosling performance.” He succinctly declared on X, “This movie ROCKS!”
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s must-see space odyssey blasts off as the first great blockbuster of 2026. Out-of-this-world cinematography from Greig Fraser reaches for the stars while anchored by a stellar Ryan Gosling performance. This movie ROCKS!
Other critics echoed this sentiment. Entertainment journalist Scott Menzel called “Project Hail Mary” a “masterpiece” and predicted it would be “a major awards player across the board,” noting that Lord and Miller “somehow manage to raise the bar once again.” TV host Jeff Conway praised Gosling as “the shining star of this compassionate story about connection and defying the odds,” while also acknowledging the impactful performance of Sandra Hüller as “the tender heart of this beautiful film.”
A Blend of Humor, Suspense, and Heart
Beyond Gosling’s performance, reviewers are highlighting the film’s successful blend of genres. Critic Adriano Caporusso described the film as playing up a “’Short Circuit’ bromance to an hysterical extreme while simultaneously delivering a pulse-pounding space epic that brings true humanity to the centrestage.” Germain Lussier called the film “pure joy,” noting its “hilarious, heartfelt, hugely moving, wildly exciting and absolutely beautiful” qualities.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s #ProjectHailMary is the iconic duo’s finest hour. Their “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”: a family-friendly, high-concept crowd-pleaser with real blockbuster upside. Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller are out of this world, owning every frame. Adored!
However, not all reactions were entirely without reservation. Globe and Mail film writer Barry Hertz acknowledged some script issues, describing it as “not quite faster-than-light” with “too many endings and one crucial plot point that evaporates,” but ultimately conceded that these flaws were overshadowed by Gosling’s “galaxy-sized charms.” He likened the film to “’INTERSTELLAR’ without all the ~stuff~.”
Behind the Scenes and Gosling’s Connection to the Role
At Comic Con 2025, Ryan Gosling shared insights into his connection with the character of Ryland Grace, revealing that he related to the character’s sense of being an “ordinary person in an extraordinary situation.” He explained, “I connected to his reluctance…he’s terrified appropriately of the task at hand. He’s somebody who gave up on himself on Earth, and he’s given an opportunity to believe in himself again.”
#ProjectHailMary is perfect. Imagination unleashed even better than I pictured it on the page. How Gosling captivates throughout a largely one-man display is beyond me – your earliest Best Actor contender. & my sweet prince Rocky… tears flowed all third act. What a beautiful…
The film also stars Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Liz Kingsman, and James Ortiz alongside Gosling and Hüller.
As “Project Hail Mary” approaches its release, the overwhelmingly positive early reactions suggest a compelling and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. The film’s blend of humor, suspense, and a strong central performance from Ryan Gosling positions it as a significant contender in the upcoming awards season.
What are your thoughts on the early buzz surrounding “Project Hail Mary”? Share your excitement in the comments below!
