On March 20, 2026, the film ‘Project Hail Mary,’ based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Andy Weir, was released in theaters and IMAX across the world. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, stars Ryan Gosling, Ryland Grace, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz. ‘Project Hail Mary’ features a middle school science teacher, Ryland Grace, who has been tasked with going to space and saving all the stars in the solar system from dying.
‘Project Hail Mary’ instantly became a box office hit; Rotten Tomatoes reports that the film brought in over $80 million on its opening weekend. Variety highlighted that this is Amazon MGM’s highest-grossing movie release ever.
Corinne Manley, a senior at Urbana High School, said the film ‘Project Hail Mary’ wasn’t just another failed book adaptation; it was a cinematic masterpiece. A verified Rotten Tomatoes critic, Sean Chandler, even mentions that the film was “a great piece of science fiction that neither dumbed down the material nor felt embarrassed to be entertaining.”
When the credits rolled, Corinne found herself transformed. “I was crying when the movie ended,” she says. “It was really, really good. I definitely think it’s going to be a classic. Definitely my favorite movie of 2026.”
Why she went to see it
Corinne’s decision to watch the film came from a mix of curiosity and doubt. At first, she mentioned how other book-to-film adaptations usually lacked many aspects, explaining her doubt, but with Ryan Gosling on the project, she thought maybe this time could be different.
She also recalled being very suspicious of Ryan Gosling being in a dramatic film, having just come out of ‘Barbie’ (2023). But, she said, “Last time I saw a movie with him, he was playing Ken. This is like a complete 180. He literally made the movie.”
Sam Gassaway, a reporter for Baylor Lariat, even noted, “His (Gosling’s) performance feels real, and he’s able to carry scenes on his own, and I applaud him for being able to perfectly bounce off his faceless co-star.
Themes that connected to the audience
“I like the message of helping people and hope—hope for humanity.”
Corinne was very adamant about expressing how hopeful and joyful the movie was. “This is a feel-good movie. At least in my eyes.” She even mentioned how the feeling of hope lingered even hours after leaving the theater.
The hopeful feeling conveyed through the movie was not just felt by Corinne but by critics and viewers alike. Reporter Michael Marano comments, “To say nothing of its shimmers of hope, which, these days especially, feel like something to be treasured.’
Cinematography that stunned her
Besides the terrific acting and crazy plot points, the visuals really brought the movie home. With real shots from a professional astrophotographer, Rod Prazeres, during the credits, Corinne gushed about the unique and insane visuals from the start to the end of the film.
Rod Prazeres is a professional astrophotographer. One day he received a weird Instagram DM from a “small production company,” reports Space.com, wanting to license his images for an “undisclosed” sci-fi movie. After doubts of a scam, Prazeres went through with the deal, and his art is now featured during the credits of the film.
Corinne goes on to mention “one extraordinarily beautiful scene.” Corinne recalls, “The Petrova Line scene really had me speechless.”
‘Project Hail Mary’ rarely used green screens or CGI for the sets and visuals; Chris Agar from Comic Book reports, “Lord and Miller’s practical approach will help Project Hail Mary feel even grander and more cinematic.”
Twists, Turns, and Favorite Moments
When it came to her favorite moments, Corinne didn’t want to spoil anything, but she was very clear about the moments that kept her hooked.
“There are so many twists and turns that I was not at all expecting,” she says. “That’s what made it so fun.”
She also mentioned the visuals and the context behind the Petrova Line scenes were “perfect in every aspect.”
The unpredictability, the visuals, and the drama kept her fully immersed throughout the film.
Final Remarks
For Corinne, ‘Project Hail Mary’ did everything a transformative movie should do. The authentic emotions, the perfect amount of plot points, and the feel-good tone made the movie what it was. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10 on IMDB, this film is shaping up to be one of the biggest in 2026.
“Five stars,” Corinne said, with no hesitation. “My favorite movie of 2026.”