Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, one of my friends told me about a book by Andy Weir called Project Hail Mary. Since I’m not a huge sci-fi reader, I was skeptical, but he insisted I would not be able to put it down, and he was right. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’m so happy to say that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s film adaptation, too, is one of the best I’ve seen. With a script written by Drew Goddard and starring Ryan Gosling in the lead role, Project Hail Mary will easily become a fan favorite.

Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling) wakes up on a revolutionary spaceship somewhere in the galaxy, but that’s not all. He cannot remember who he is, how he got there, why he’s in space, or what his mission is. Utterly confused and mentally exhausted, especially after discovering his crewmates, portrayed by Milana Vayntrub and Ken Leung, dead in their sleeping pods, Grace falls into a dissociative state. However, the sudden appearance of a new companion sets him back on track as he slowly figures out what his mission is. The sun is dying, and nations around the world have worked together to send a group of astronauts into space to find a solution. There is one catch: it’s a one-way mission.

The film follows two timelines, before and after the space travel. While we get to see how the mission Project Hail Marycame to be, we also watch Grace in space as he and his new friend Rocky attempt to save the world. Gosling was born to play Ryland Grace. He perfectly captures the character’s intelligence, quirky nature, nerdy spirit, and humor. Sandra Hüller’s performance is just as strong. As Eva Stratt, the person in charge of PHM, she works closely with Grace to figure out what is dimming the sun and how to stop it. Moreover, Hüller’s singing voice in one scene will undoubtedly give you goosebumps, just like it did for me.

The cinematography is out of this world, pun intended. It’s extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and captivating. There isn’t a single dull moment as Grace takes us through space. Everything feels otherworldly and magical, especially the sequence in which Grace and Rocky travel to Adrian, a planet orbiting the star Tau Ceti, to investigate why Astrophage doesn’t consume its atmosphere the same way it does the sun’s. The scene is not only deeply touching, but it also offers perspective. It shows us how small we truly are, yet together we create something vast and meaningful.

Drew Goddard did an excellent job adapting the script from Weir’s book. It’s a moving story about resilience and about how humanity can and should come together in the face of disaster. It highlights acts of true altruism and a fierce care for all living things.

Project Hail Mary is a must-watch, not only for sci-fi fans but for everyone. It’s not just impressive; it leaves you feeling hopeful about humanity. It reminds you that there are still selfless people out there doing everything they can to help others. And believe me, you will love Rocky just as much as I do.

Grade: A
Project Hail Mary premieres on Friday, March 20.