March 20, 2026

With such an immense visual, aural, and narrative scope, and a plot about the end of life on planet Earth as we know it, it's remarkable that "Project Hail Mary" is still so soothing to watch. It's exciting, yes, but it's also wonderfully positive, mellow, and serene. Here is a movie that beckons us to stop, slow down, think, stay calm, and return to the basics of what bonds living creatures together—namely our shared mission to survive. It's magnificent yet gentle, otherworldly yet familiar, and hopeful and uplifting despite prophesying catastrophe. The way it balances all its thoughtful qualities and moving parts while remaining cohesive and accessible will be one of the many reasons we're likely to revisit this treasure of a film for years to come.