4K Ultra HD Review – Project Hail Mary (2026)

      Project Hail Mary, 2026.

      Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

      Starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Project Hail Mary makes its debut on 4K Ultra HD, though the bonus features are limited, and there’s no digital copy code or Blu-ray included. Nonetheless, the film is an enjoyable experience, so you might still consider adding it to your collection. Just keep in mind that a more detailed edition will be released as an Amazon exclusive in the near future.

      As the credits roll, sometimes all I can say about a movie is, “Well, that was entertaining.” I mean this genuinely – if a film takes me on an enjoyable journey through its narrative, it certainly deserves high praise from me. This was true for Project Hail Mary, which premiered earlier this year and is adapted from Andy Weir's 2020 novel. Ryan Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher sent aboard the Hail Mary spaceship to the Tau Ceti system, where he and his two crewmates investigate its star to understand why it's unaffected by a substance called “astrophage,” which is dimming our sun and threatens to cause severe global cooling within three decades.

      The story opens in the midst of the action, with Ryland waking from an induced coma on the Hail Mary. He has amnesia, making him our guide to the current state of this narrative universe, where his crew members have perished and he encounters an alien spacecraft with another sole survivor from a similar mission.

      Flashbacks reveal how Ryland ended up in this situation: he was a molecular biologist who upset enough people that he had to resort to teaching for a living. However, his expertise makes him an ideal candidate for the journey to Tau Ceti, which is essentially a suicide mission, as the Hail Mary lacks enough fuel for a return trip to Earth.

      In the current plot, Ryland meets his alien counterpart, whom he dubs “Rocky,” and discovers a way to communicate with him so they can collaborate to save their respective civilizations. This role fits Gosling perfectly; he infuses the character with a down-to-earth charm while also carrying an edge that hints at how he clashed with many back on Earth.

      The heart of the film revolves around the evolving relationship between Ryland and Rocky, transitioning from a slightly antagonistic dynamic to one founded on mutual affection. Although the storyline is somewhat predictable, it’s still enjoyable to watch the development of both characters, which, as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, is satisfying.

      Regrettably, this 4K Ultra HD version of Project Hail Mary is somewhat confusing, lacking a digital copy code, no included Blu-ray, and minimal bonus features. A more comprehensive special edition is being prepared, though it is an Amazon exclusive and will not be released for another two months.

      The extras include an insightful commentary track from co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who share a wealth of interesting information about the film's production. Additionally, there are nearly ten minutes of deleted scenes, some featuring enjoyable improvisation from Gosling, as well as a nearly eight-minute featurette titled Earth’s Favorite Eridian, which explores Rocky and the animation process behind his character.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook