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Why you should watch Project Hail Mary (spoilers free)
Amaze, amaze, amaze
Amazon MGM Studios
In reference to movie theaters, Ryan Gosling recently said, "It's not your job to keep them open, it's our job to make things that make it worth you coming out.” His most recent movie, Project Hail Mary, gave us plenty of reasons to go.
To briefly summarize, A swarm of space “bacteria” is slowly killing our sun and humanity has to come together to figure out why. A brilliant middle school physics teacher, who’s running from his own potential, gets roped into a cosmic adventure.
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Also extremely popular as an audiobook, the original work is a great blend of actual scientific explanations and heartfelt commentary on humanity. The movie is less intensive in the scientific minutia and more of a visual feast. The filmmakers defied current Hollywood norms by using zero green screens, favoring large set pieces and creating breathtaking practical effects. Paring this with an intentional soundtrack, the movie gives you permission to suspend disbelief and become invested in the outcome.
Due to the disparity of run time vs book length, few movies can hold up to the emotional investment readers make in the characters. When the movie was first announced, some book readers were worried it would become another example of Hollywood greed. However, the 2026 adaptation trusts the audience to follow their narrative path and delivers memorable characters that feel incredibly human, even in space.
In the 2 hour and 36 minute run time, the movie manages to accomplish the core principles of Andy Weir's 2021 book. Over the years, Weir has stated he wanted to counter the dystopian trends he sees in books and media. Rather, he chooses to focus on portraying instances of collaboration, and human ingenuity to overcome impossible odds.
This movie succeeds in the same way the book did where it makes it feel good to have hope.
