Light and optimistic is probably the best way to describe Project Hail Mary, but these adjectives are not the only things that describe this excellent science fiction film. Below the endless optimistic atmosphere lies a more complex story of perseverance and determination through collectivism, rather than individualism, regardless of the circumstances. The story of the film supports this approach through its character-centric take on the famous book by Andy Weir.
In this case, Weir created a world where no one is stuck on Mars, but humanity is stuck with a dying Sun. The only shot to reverse this planetary calamity is Ryland Grade, played by Ryan Gosling, a middle school teacher who figures out that the solution might be in a distant star system. There, however, challenges await, but so does one unexpected extraterrestrial friendship.
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directed the film and somehow managed to blend their comedy background with this hard sci-fi story. But they also didn't turn it into a parody and instead blended both the drama and the humor into a truly unique output. I'm certain that Project Hail Mary became a hit due to its action and jokes, but I'm also sure that it will age really well because it, in the end, tells a tale about a journey and those who ended up alone in the endless dark, only to find each other. In a world where we’re getting more somber and dystopian stories like the one in Leave the World Behind, having a story about Rocky and Ryland is hugely refreshing.
