Science fiction cinema often generates big ideas but struggles to strike a balance between those ideas and human stories. While it’s fair to say that capturing emotion is quite difficult in most sci-fi films, I can say the exact opposite about Project Hail Mary. I’d say it was one of those rare productions that managed to blend these two elements almost flawlessly.
The story’s central themes are loneliness and hope. The story begins with a man waking up on a spaceship having lost his memory. This man, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), is actually humanity’s last hope. He was sent to stop a mysterious organism causing the sun to go out.
But at this point, the film doesn’t fall into the trap of trying to create a classic hero. The primary and central focus shifts to how a person must cope with loneliness. The film emphasizes that science is not just a solution but also a means of understanding. And most importantly, it explores how to form a connection with a stranger with whom you share no common bond. This last point is significant because the film’s strongest element is Grace’s unexpected friendship. And the way this friendship is gradually revealed to the audience.
It’s safe to say that the film’s true surprise and most unforgettable character is Rocky, and I believe this is a choice that will be widely accepted by everyone. I won’t give away too many clues about the character, but I can say that simply noting he isn’t human and emphasizing that the film must be watched is sufficient. Rocky single handedly breaks the molds of the sci-fi genre. Because instead of an alien threat, it creates an alien friendship.
I’d say Ryan Gosling took quite a risk in this film compared to his other works. He’s alone for most of the movie, and that could have been a serious challenge from an acting standpoint. He successfully brought to life a character who is intelligent yet helpless, hopeful yet fragile.
The interior of the spaceship, chosen as the setting, successfully conveyed a sense of reality and atmosphere throughout the film. The scientific details were strong. Even though you know the film is entirely fictional, the fact that some elements are grounded in science instills a sense of reality in the viewer’s mind.
What if something like this really happened? What would humanity do in the face of such an extinction crisis? It was possible to be engrossed in such questions throughout the film. In my opinion, the film’s greatest strength was its ability to tell a story one that could be considered a major achievement in the sci-fi genre from a human perspective. Though, one must ask, are we, as humans, really that friendly?
If you enjoy stories about survival through science, Project Hail Mary will appeal to you. I can also say it’s an emotionally distinct production that prompts the viewer to think more deeply. It also carries the lesson that help can come from an unexpected place at an unexpected time.
Thank you for being here and reading this. Take care of yourselves until we meet again, and goodbye.