By Hannah Kremer, Managing Editor 

In his latest and greatest film, “Project Hail Mary,” Ryan Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, learns the consequences of becoming too important at his job. Those consequences, as it turns out, are deadly. 

Based on the 2021 science fiction novel by Andy Weir, the movie tells the story of a school teacher and former biologist, who wakes up onboard a spacecraft with his only other two crewmates dead and a raging case of amnesia. Throughout the film, audiences see a back-and-forth between his past and present as he pieces together what happened to him. 

He quickly realizes he is on a mission to save the Earth from a dimming Sun, having been recognized by the government as one of the best molecular biologists, but estranged from his job for his unorthodox ideas. Upon discovering Astrophage, a breed of molecules that is slowly absorbing energy from stars, he is tasked with flying out to the only star unimpacted by its effects to find the atmospheric material saving it. The only catch is that the antidote will be sent back to Earth, but he will never return.  

The movie not only covers his journey, but also his contact with another alien ship, where he inevitably learns to communicate with a rock-shaped creature whom he appropriately names Rocky. Together, they work to save each other’s planets, having faced the threats of the same deadly Astrophage. 

For those of us who only have the attention span capable of retaining a 30-second TikTok and nothing more, a two hour and 36-minute movie sounds incredibly intimidating. However, the film does an out-of-this-world job of holding its audience’s attention with witty jokes, emotional scenes and action. Gosling does an excellent job at delivering lines of dry humor that Ryan Reynolds could only dream of. Arguably, he has never looked better in his new haircut, either. 

Gosling, or Grace, is not the only attractive part about this movie. The visuals were beautiful, fully evoking an intergalactic world that is almost impossible to picture until you see the movie. The cinematographer, Greig Fraser, did not just have a vision, he had THE vision, one that was meant for the big screen. 

Rocky was single-handedly the best character in the movie, using his lack of understanding for human life to criticize and annoy Grace, but in the way that friends do. He is multi-dimensional, not just because of his geometric shape, but because of his capacity for kindness and curiosity, which is only expressed through a robotic-sounding computerized voice Grace makes for him. 

His need to watch Grace sleep to ensure his safety, and his admission that his 186.3-year-long relationship with his significant alien other is not nearly enough time, was both provoking and heartbreaking all at once. This movie proves that it is possible to fall in love with a rock’s personality. 

“Project Hail Mary” was the perfect sci-fi space movie that does not take itself as seriously as “Interstellar.” It perfectly combines elements of suspense, heart and humor, all while being visually dazzling. The plot is easily digestible, free of overly complicated scientific jargon and a crowd-pleaser thanks to its constant entertainment. 

Whether or not Grace will end up saving humanity, one has to watch it to find out. However, what is guaranteed with one’s theater ticket is a classic, entertaining experience one will never forget.