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Adapted from the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian, Project Hail Mary is a

MGM/Amazon Studios

science fiction adventure to save the Earth from a dimming sun which threatens all life on our fragile planet. A fantastic microorganism is populating the sun, causing the dimming, and a molecular biologist, Dr. Ryland Grace, whose published theories align with the newly discovered ‘astrophages,’ is recruited by a global effort to reverse the ‘infection,’ by traveling to Tau Ceti, the only star in the corner of the galaxy not showing signs of dimming. The film opens with Dr. Grace awakening from a medically induced coma used during their transit to Tau Ceti, finding himself the only survivor of the process and with his memory damaged and only recovering as he suffers intrusive flashbacks. The mystery of Tau Ceti’s immunity to the astrophages deepens when Grace encounters a massive alien vessel in orbit about the star.

Like Weir’s novel The Martian, this story is really about the sacrifice, skill, and dedication of highly competent people who have set out to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem. Project Hail Mary functions without the need for a villain or motivated antagonist, with the closest analogy being a medical drama as doctors fight to diagnose, treat, and save a terminal patient, but in this case the patient is all of humanity.

Ryan Gosling plays Dr. Grace managing to convey both the character’s brilliance and his goofy ‘every man’ nature keeping the audience engaged both intellectually and emotionally as Grace navigates a strange, terrifying, and nearly impossible task alone.

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the team responsible for writing and producing the Spider-Verse films, this film is visually stunning, inventive, and striking in its emotional core. Aided by a sharp script by Drew Goddard, who also adapted The Martian, Gosling carries the film effectively alone. While there are other important performers in this film the ultimate success or failure of the project rested on his shoulders and Gosling’s ability to make you laugh and cry in moments while still conveying unrevealed depths to his character is what makes him a star.

All in all this is a remarkable film and while the two-and-a-half-hour running time might give some pause before buying a ticket, I would recommend seeing this in a proper theatrical setting.