When you see that a movie is being released and it says “Filmed for IMAX“, then you know that IMAX is the only way to see it, and this is certainly the case for Project Hail Mary, so we headed out to Cineworld in Broughton to check out the film in IMAX.
Science teacher Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship, light-years away from home, with no memory of who he is or how he arrived there. As his recollection returns, he begins to uncover his mission: to solve the mystery of a strange substance that is causing the sun to fade. He must draw on his scientific knowledge and unconventional ideas to save Earth from extinction. However, an unexpected friendship means he might not have to face this challenge alone.
I have to start by saying that I’ve not read the 2021 book by Andy Weir, so I was going into see the film with only the knowledge from what I had seen from the trailer. What I wasn’t expecting was a film that would set me on a journey of mixed emotions and tears, yes, tears!
Project Hail Mary introduces us to Grace (Gosling) as he awakes from a long sleep on the spaceship that is on a journey across space, much like Grace we aren’t sure why he is there and where he is heading, but as we learn (as he gets his memory) back, he’s on a mission to save the Earth as the Sun is dying. The mission is a one-way trip, and Grace is on this journey on his own.
It does take a while before we are introduced to “Rocky“, but the build up to the meeting is wonderfully done, instead of the film starting at the beginning of the discovery of the “dots” on the Sun, we learn with Grace in a series of flashbacks to before he was on the ship and we slowly see the build up through those to the point where he eventually leaves Earth.
Watching Project Hail Mary, I found myself getting pulled into the story, and I could see why people had been telling me that the book is superb. The connection that is built between Grace and Rocky is a wonderful thing to watch; you start to feel for them, and you almost feel as if you know them, and there are moments where you are laughing with them and even some moments where the tears are running down your cheeks. I never even thought after seeing the trailer that this film would have me welling up so much that I was wiping away the tears!
If you’ve read the book, then there is no doubt you are going to love this film; if you haven’t read the book, then you are also going to love Project Hail Mary. Ryan Gosling really holds his own in this film, and he is a joy to watch on the IMAX screen. From the moment he comes on the screen to the end of the film, he makes you love his character and feel the pressure he is going through to complete his mission.
Project Hail Mary is Stunning in IMAX
Not only is the film an amazing film to watch, but the IMAX format is stunning. The flashbacks are in a widescreen format, and all the moments on the ship and in space open up into the IMAX Expanded Aspect Ratio, and it pulls you right into the film, giving you the sensation of being in space. Project Hail Mary features nearly two hours of Expanded Aspect Ratio, giving IMAX audiences more picture, scale and immersion than anywhere else. It works perfectly, and I have to say that it’s one of the best uses of IMAX I’ve seen in a while.
But it’s not just the image that is amazing; the sound features a dedicated sound mix optimised specifically for IMAX cinemas. With a custom sound system designed by acousticians and the largest
speakers in the industry, every beat turns Project Hail Mary into a fully immersive experience.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have brought us a film that touches on the heartstrings and looks stunning at the same time. After seeing Project Hail Mary in IMAX, I am going to have to check out Andy Weir’s book now.
Project Hail Mary was a delight to watch, and I’m so glad that I saw it in the format it was meant to be seen in. If you have an IMAX near you or even if you have to travel 30-odd miles like I had to, it’s damn well worth it for the experience. But don’t forget to take some tissues with you.
Grab Those Tissues, You're Going to Need Them
Movie title: Project Hail Mary (2026)
Movie description: Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun, and save Earth. An unexpected friendship may be the key.
Date published: March 22, 2026
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 36m
Director(s): Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Actor(s): Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
Summary
Project Hail Mary is a rollercoaster for your emotions, it’s a film that is fun, sad and has plenty of moments to have you on the edge of your seat.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
