Fronted by Ryan Gosling, who takes on the role of Ryland Grace, the film follows the journey of a molecular biologist and educator tasked with saving Earth from an impending catastrophe. As the lone survivor aboard his spacecraft, Grace’s mission unfolds across the vast expanse of space. Known for their knack for transforming challenging projects into cinematic triumphs, Lord and Miller have once again collaborated with screenwriter Drew Goddard. Goddard is renowned for adapting another of Weir’s novels, “The Martian,” into a critically acclaimed film featuring Matt Damon. With such a stellar team behind the scenes and Gosling leading the cast, “Project Hail Mary” was poised for success from the start.

While the critical consensus leans positive, not every review is without reservations. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian expressed some doubts, yet ultimately concluded that “This is a Hail Mary pass that Gosling just about manages to catch.” Over at Variety, Owen Gleiberman shared similar sentiments, remarking that the film aims to be the escapism audiences need and that many will likely embrace it. He added, “’Project Hail Mary’ never stops figuring out ways to make you fall in love with it.”

On a more positive note, Pete Hammond at Deadline extolled the film as an Imax marvel, stating, “A movie made for Imax, ‘Project Hail Mary’ is mission accomplished, an entertaining and engaging piece of science fiction that suggests even though we may be worlds apart, in order to save us from ourselves we must band together now more than ever.” Similarly, Kate Erbland of IndieWire praised the film’s ability to engage audiences, noting the film’s unfolding story is its greatest asset.

The buzz surrounding “Project Hail Mary” suggests that Amazon MGM Studios’ substantial investment in the film will indeed pay off. Given its hefty budget of $248 million, the positive reception is a boon for those backing this heart-stirring space epic. Moreover, audiences can look forward to seeing Ryan Gosling shine in a leading role following his notable supporting performance in 2023’s “Barbie.” For more insights from critics, be sure to watch our video overview and mark your calendars for the film’s release on March 20, 2026.

Here at Looper, Reuben Baron soundly praised the film, declaring, “Deeply hopeful, spectacularly produced, and equally adept at laughter and tears, ‘Project Hail Mary’ is the best new movie to hit theaters so far this year.” Nick Schager may have put it best at The Daily Beast in his review, calling the movie “a stirring celebration of bravery, camaraderie, and human ingenuity that goes big in every respect, not least of which by recognizing and foregrounding the majesty of larger-than-life movie stardom.”

It seems clear, even before “Project Hail Mary” officially soars into theaters, that Amazon MGM Studios’ massive bet on this project will pay off … and considering that it has a budget of $248 million, this is great news for anyone who championed this emotional and audacious space odyssey. (Plus, it’s nice to see the always welcome Ryan Gosling take on a central role after his outstanding supporting turn in 2023’s “Barbie.”) Watch our video to hear more about what critics think of “Project Hail Mary,” and don’t miss the movie’s big release on March 20, 2026.