If you have never had the chance to watch a film with young children, especially one that involves space exploration, you are missing out on something special. I had been waiting for Project Hail Mary to come to streaming for a couple of weeks because I stupidly neglected to catch the film in theaters like many of you sensible people. I was a tad worried, though, that the film wouldn’t live up to the hype. All I had heard were rave reviews, and Sasha and Scott on the podcast had been anxiously awaiting my take on the film. So, I was beginning to feel the pressure, and that is not how you want to go into a film.
Well, today I woke my family up and told them we were going to the movies…in the living room. Everyone got their breakfast, got all cozied up in our family room, and we finally watched Project Hail Mary. It will be a memory I won’t soon forget.
From start to finish, my children were completely captivated. There were moments where I could audibly hear them gasp, moments where I could see their eyes bug out of their heads during the action-packed moments of suspense, genuine heartfelt giggles during the comedic moments, and it all culminated in cheers and shouts of, “Dad, can we watch it again?!”
These are the moments I long for when I show my children movies. So many times I have shown them movies I love, only for them not to care for them or “get” them. I simply chalk it up to their age and hope that in a few years I can sit them down for another go. But this time, we were experiencing this film together for the first time, and I realized I was feeling all the things my children were feeling. Together, we were locked in with each other, sharing in the beautiful experience of watching movies.
I was thrilled to discover that Project Hail Mary truly lived up to all the hype. It has everything I want in a film: drama, suspense, comedy, action, and love. It was the complete package, with the added cherry on top that I could sit my children down in front of it and not have to shut it off because it was made for everyone. Of course, there were a few moments where I had to pause to answer some questions, but those moments never ruined or took away from the experience. It really was a wonderful ride!
The magic for me, and what continues to linger in my mind, is not the big, exciting cinematic moments of the film, which were great. It was the love between Ryan Gosling’s character, Grace, and an alien-like creature dubbed Rocky. These two lone survivors find each other in the endless expanse of space, discovering that somehow they aren’t all that different, and they form such a beautiful bond of love and brotherhood. Together, against all odds, they save the world, but in doing so, they sacrificially save each other. Even though this isn’t a new type of story, something about it felt fresh. I think that is why the film has resonated so deeply this year and continues to draw so much acclaim.
The last time I had this feeling, where a story didn’t necessarily feel new but somehow still felt fresh, was CODA. We had just gone through the dark days of COVID and all the social upheaval that came with it. People were desperate to feel something again. CODA came along, reminded audiences of love and compassion, and ultimately walked away with three Oscars. Project Hail Mary comes into our lives six years later and does something similar. It reminds us that we can work together with people who are completely different from us and still form bonds rooted in love and compassion. Just look at how people have responded to this film. It’s like we’ve been craving this lesson again! With all the horrible things happening in the world, this message feels incredibly timely. We need connection. We need each other. Without those things, we risk losing something essential. That, to me, is why I think Project Hail Mary has made such an impact this year.
In terms of the Oscars, I don’t know how the season will ultimately play out, but Project Hail Mary certainly should not be forgotten or underestimated. It was wonderfully directed and written, and the technical aspects were all excellent by my standards, all of which deserve strong consideration across the board.
My biggest hope, though, is that Ryan Gosling gets the push he deserves. He has built such an incredible filmography that it’s honestly hard to understand how he hasn’t won an Oscar or, at the very least, earned more nominations. I think he is one of the true movie stars working today, and without him in this role, there is no Project Hail Mary. He is that good. He absolutely deserves a Best Actor nomination, and if Michael B. Jordan can win for Sinners, then why not Ryan Gosling for Project Hail Mary?
I know this review is extremely late, and I very much missed the boat, but I am so glad I finally got the chance to see it. I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day. More than anything, I am thankful this film wowed my children and expanded their idea of what movies can be. I’m thankful for the message of love and compassion that sits at the heart of the story, and I’m thankful my family got to experience it together. Project Hail Mary is easily the best film I have seen so far this year, and one I hope will be remembered for years to come, Oscar glory or not.
