Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Project Hail Mary was released in theaters on March 20, 2026.
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
Project Hail Mary (2026) Review
Project Hail Mary is a simple and emotional sci-fi story.
It follows a man in space, played by Ryan Gosling, who wakes up alone and must save Earth.
The movie mixes science with humor, making it easy to understand and enjoyable.
One of the best parts is his friendship with an alien, which brings warmth and heart to the story.
The visuals are beautiful, and the acting is strong. Some scenes feel slow, but the story remains interesting.
Overall, it is a touching and fun space movie that many people will enjoy watching.
CR Rating: 9/10.
Project Hail Mary Actors
Ryan Gosling as Dr. Ryland Grace
DOB: November 12, 1980.
Bio: Canadian actor, producer, and musician who rose to fame after early work on The Mickey Mouse Club.
He earned critical acclaim with Half Nelson, receiving an Academy Award nomination, and went on to star in a wide range of films including Drive, La La Land, and Blade Runner 2049.
Role: Gosling plays Dr. Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher and former molecular biologist who wakes up alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of how he got there.
As his memory gradually returns, Grace becomes humanity’s last hope, relying on scientific reasoning, resilience, and ingenuity to solve an existential crisis threatening Earth.
Interesting facts: Much of Gosling’s performance is built around isolation and interaction with non-human elements, making it one of his more technically demanding roles.
Notable works: The Notebook, Half Nelson, Drive, La La Land, Blade Runner 2049.
Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt
DOB: April 30, 1978.
Bio: German actress acclaimed for her powerful, nuanced performances in European and international cinema.
Trained in theatre, she gained global recognition for her role in Toni Erdmann and received further acclaim for Anatomy of a Fall.
Role: Hüller plays Eva Stratt, a high-ranking, no-nonsense official tasked with overseeing humanity’s desperate mission to save Earth.
She is pragmatic, authoritative, and often morally uncompromising, pushing Ryland Grace into action despite resistance.
Interesting facts: Hüller’s portrayal emphasizes restraint and control, aligning with the character’s calculated decision-making.
Notable works: Toni Erdmann, Anatomy of a Fall, Sisi & I, Requiem.
James Ortiz as Rocky
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American theatre artist, puppeteer, director, and designer known for his innovative work blending performance with puppetry and stagecraft.
Based in New York, he has built a strong reputation in experimental and visual theatre, often working on productions that combine physical storytelling with intricate puppet design.
Role: Ortiz brings Rocky to life, an alien engineer from the planet Erid who becomes Ryland Grace’s closest ally.
Rocky is a highly intelligent, non-human character requiring both physical performance and vocal expression.
Interesting facts: The character of Rocky was realized through a combination of practical puppetry and visual effects, involving a team of puppeteers coordinated around Ortiz’s performance.
Notable works: The Woodsman, Matryoshka, stage puppetry and theatre design work.
Lionel Boyce as Carl
DOB: May 9, 1991.
Bio: American actor, writer, and producer known for his work both on-screen and behind the scenes.
He gained wider recognition for his role in The Bear and earlier as part of the Odd Future creative collective, contributing to projects like Loiter Squad.
Role: Boyce plays Carl, a supporting member of the Earth-side mission team.
His character helps ground the large-scale scientific effort with a human perspective, contributing to the operational and bureaucratic side of the mission.
Interesting facts: Boyce has moved comfortably between music, writing, and acting, which has made him a versatile supporting performer in recent prestige projects.
Notable works: The Bear, Loiter Squad, The Jellies!.
Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina
DOB: March 8, 1987.
Bio: American actress, comedian, and writer.
She began acting as a child, later building a large online following through comedy sketches and social media.
She gained mainstream recognition for her portrayal of Lily Adams in AT&T commercials and has appeared in television, film, and voice projects.
Role: Olesya Ilyukhina is the Hail Mary’s pilot, providing critical technical expertise and crew support during the mission’s early stages.
Her character helps establish the human and operational dynamics of the mission before the narrative focuses on Ryland Grace’s solo survival and problem-solving.
Interesting facts: Vayntrub’s career has stretched from child acting to internet comedy and mainstream advertising, which made her one of the most recognizable faces in the ensemble even before release.
Notable works: ER, Silicon Valley, Werewolves Within.
Ken Leung as Yáo Li-Jie
DOB: January 21, 1970.
Bio: American actor with a versatile career spanning film, television, and stage.
He is known for bringing intelligence, intensity, and emotional precision to authority figures and complex characters.
Role: Yáo Li-Jie is the commander of the Hail Mary mission, serving as a central decision-maker aboard the ship.
Leung portrays him with calm authority and measured judgment, grounding the crew’s dynamics and providing a credible leadership presence amidst the mission’s high-stakes environment.
Interesting facts: Leung’s background in stage and screen work has made him especially effective in roles that require precision, emotional restraint, and command.
Notable works: Lost, Industry, Saw, The Sopranos, The Night Shift.
Priya Kansara as Mary
DOB: 1995.
Bio: British actress who gained breakout attention with her lead role in Polite Society.
Prior to that, she appeared in television series such as Bridgerton and The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.
Role: Kansara voices Mary, the artificial intelligence interface of the Hail Mary spacecraft.
Her performance gives the ship a calm, communicative, and subtly humanized presence, helping guide and support Ryland Grace throughout the mission.
Interesting facts: Kansara has spoken publicly about switching from a science background to acting, which makes her casting in a science-heavy film feel especially fitting.
Notable works: Polite Society, Bridgerton, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, Dope Girls.
Mia Soteriou as Dr. Browne
DOB: N/A.
Bio: British actress and musician with a diverse career across theatre, television, and film.
She trained as a pianist at the Royal College of Music and studied English at University of Oxford before moving into performance.
Role: Soteriou plays Dr. Browne, a member of the scientific team supporting the mission.
While a smaller role, Dr. Browne contributes to the credibility of the Earth-side operation, helping establish the collaborative effort behind the high-stakes scientific endeavor.
Interesting facts: Soteriou’s background in both music and acting gives her a distinctive profile among supporting performers, especially in a film that uses sound, rhythm, and scientific precision so heavily.
Notable works: Game of Thrones, EastEnders, Holby City, Mamma Mia!.
Annelle Olaleye as Olivia
DOB: August 11, 2013.
Bio: A young British actress who began her screen career at an early age, appearing in a range of television and film projects.
She has built early experience through roles in British TV dramas and international productions, showing natural screen presence and emotional clarity uncommon for her age.
Role: Olaleye plays Olivia, a small but meaningful Earth-side character.
While her screen time is limited, the role helps broaden the film’s world beyond the spacecraft, adding a human touch that reinforces what is at stake back on Earth.
Interesting facts: Public coverage describes Olaleye as a child actress who began working very young, which is why her presence in a large studio film is notable.
Notable works: Ted Lasso, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Doctors, The Kid Who Would Be King, Domina.
Maya Eva Hosein as Rekha
DOB: N/A.
Bio: An emerging actress with limited publicly available biographical details.
With a background that appears to include early screen work and smaller roles, she is part of a new generation of performers gaining visibility through major studio projects.
Role: Hosein plays Rekha, a supporting Earth-side character who contributes to the broader network of scientists and personnel involved in the mission.
While the role is relatively small, it helps reinforce the global scale and collaborative effort behind the attempt to save Earth.
Interesting facts: Because her public profile is still growing, there are fewer interview details available than for the film’s bigger names.
Notable works: Project Hail Mary is the best-known credit currently available in public listings.
More Actors
• Bastian Antonio Fuentes as Parker.
• Malachi Kirby as DuBois.
• Orion Lee as Dr. Li.
• Paul Lambert as Dr. Scyther.
• Aaron Neil as Narender.
FAQ – Project Hail Mary (2026) Movie
What is Project Hail Mary about?
Project Hail Mary follows a scientist who wakes up alone on a spaceship and must figure out how to save Earth from extinction.
Is Project Hail Mary based on a book?
Yes, the movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian.
How long is Project Hail Mary?
The movie has a runtime of about 2 hours and 36 minutes, making it a fairly long but detailed sci-fi film.
What genre is the movie?
It is a science fiction adventure with elements of drama, humor, and survival.
Who or what is Rocky in the movie?
Rocky is an alien character who becomes an important companion to Grace during his mission.
Where can I watch Project Hail Mary?
It is currently in theaters and is expected to stream later on Prime Video.
Conclusion
Project Hail Mary is a thoughtful and engaging sci-fi movie that blends science, emotion, and humor.
With a strong performance from Ryan Gosling, the story feels both exciting and heartfelt.
While some parts may seem slow, the film’s message about friendship, survival, and hope makes it worth watching.
It is a great choice for anyone who enjoys smart, character-driven space stories.