Ryan Gosling’s latest film has been hailed as “phenomenal” and “a masterpiece” ahead of its release next month. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace (Gosling), a man who wakes up on a spacecraft with no memory of how he came to be there.
Based on the 2021 novel of the same name, Gosling stars alongside the likes of Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.
Project Hail Mary is set to be released on March 20, and early screenings have already garnered praise for the film.
Taking to X to share their thoughts, critic Eric Marchen wrote: “Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s must-see space odyssey blasts off as the first great blockbuster of 2026. Out-of-this-world cinematography from Greig Fraser reaches for the stars while anchored by a stellar Ryan Gosling performance. This movie ROCKS!”
Another critic, Tessa Smith, wrote: “Project Hail Mary is PHENOMENAL! This movie is a masterpiece. It is way funnier than I expected it to be, it never feels its runtime, and it is truly heartwarming. I laughed, I cried – I fell in love with Rocky! Ryan Gosling is one of the best working today. WOW!”
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A third posted: “Project Hail Mary is an extraordinary achievement. The kind of movie that makes you grateful you’re alive at a point in history in which movies are made. Heartfelt doesn’t begin to describe how genuinely moving it is.
“Ryan Gosling delivers a performance that should be considered for awards come the end of the year. He brings incredible levity and warmth to a film beautiful in its themes and technical achievements.
“Greig Fraser’s cinematography is gorgeous, Daniel Pemberton’s score is so moving, and Lord and Miller direct their best movie yet. Destined to be one of the best movies of 2026.”
Acclaimed filmmaker Edgar Wright also praised the film, writing: “Was lucky enough to see Project Hail Mary on a towering IMAX screen last night. A long overdue big-screen live-action return for @philiplord & @chrizmillr, it’s a dazzling but very human epic.
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“The level of detail in every aspect of the production was awe-inspiring, not least the puppetry. I also had warm and fuzzy comparisons to 70s monastic classics like ‘Silent Running’ and ‘Dark Star’, which is high praise indeed.
“Drew Goddard delivers an excellent screenplay, Greig Fraser’s work is gorgeous, Gosling is endlessly magnetic and Sandra Huller gets to show her ‘Toni Erdmann’ chops again. It made my head spin thinking about how complicated it would be to make. But saving the universe is no easy task. Go see it huge!”
The reactions follow Josh Gad’s verdict on the film. Last week, the actor described Project Hail Mary as “the first masterpiece of 2026” and a “perfect adaptation” of the novel.
Project Hail Mary is released in cinemas on 20 March.
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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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