Spoiler warning for Project Hail Mary (2021) and the 2026 film adaptation.
Over spring break, I set out to read Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary so I could have the complete epic space experience. I succeeded.
Now that I’ve read the novel and watched the film (twice!), I need to talk about my favorite and least favorite additions, changes, and removals that Project Hail Mary (2026) took on when adapting the fan-favorite novel.
HIGHLIGHT: GRACE AND STRATT’S RELATIONSHIP
One of the ongoing questions throughout the story is just what exactly is going on between our protagonist, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) and his boss/mentor, Eva Stratt (Sandra HĂĽller). Well, in the original book? Absolutely nothing. There is one offhanded comment from another scientist about an assumed relationship, but Grace shuts that down immediately.
As I was reading the book, I was left wanting more from them. It would’ve made Stratt’s eventual betrayal (sending Grace into space against his will) so much more cutthroat and meaningful.
In the movie, small alternations are added to make this relationship seem more passionate, mostly carried by Ryan Gosling’s deep yearning looks. The on-screen effect is convincing, and it adds a layer of relational emotion that was not as present in the original text.
LOW POINT: GRACE Doesn’t Save ROCKY
Though the film’s final scene is Grace choosing to go to Eridani to save Rocky instead of going back to Earth, which was a beautiful scene I have no problems with, there was one smaller scene that I was slightly disappointed they chose to cut out.
In the book, when Rocky saves Grace after their half-successful, half-failed attempt to collect a predator for the Astrophage, Grace carries Rocky to his habitat. For me, Weir’s description of Rocky burning Grace and how perfect it was that they saved each other in that moment made this scene in the book stick out.
The filmmakers were possibly right to remove this scene, as it would bring the count of Grace saving Rocky up to 2. But still, I would’ve loved to see that scene play out on screen.
HIGHLIGHT: STUNNING VISUALS
My biggest gripe with the original novel was the lack of description that we’re given for what is going on around Grace. I wanted to know what everything looked like, felt like, and frankly, I wanted long descriptions about what Adrian looked like.
The film adaptation fixed this almost entirely for me. It combines the novel’s original science, the comedy, and the visuals that were needed to push the story into being beautifully distinct. The scene where Grace sees what Adrian looks like, along with the Petrova line, was visually captivating. The fact that it was shot on IMAX is just the icing on the cake.
LOW POINT: LACK OF GLOBAL WARMING STAKES
Now, the film did a good job at conveying an “end of the world” situation, but it didn’t go as far as the original story did to push the extreme seriousness of global cooling.
In particular, there’s a part in the book where Stratt makes the decision to launch nuclear bombs into Antarctica in order to raise the global temperature. This really hit home the fact that humanity was at an end-all-be-all, forced to use any means possible.
However much I would’ve loved for that scene to be added, the film’s runtime was already long, so I can understand why they wouldn’t want to add any more than what was strictly necessary for the story. Still, having to make such a dire choice really drove home the intense stakes of the mission.Â
HIGHLIGHT: GRACE VISITS ROCKY’S SHIP
After the party sequence, I was ready for Grace to request that Rocky give him Xenonite before saying their goodbyes. However, when Grace suggested seeing his ship, I was surprised and excited.
In the book, I assumed this was just never possible (he might get radiation poisoning, or something?), but a little field trip never hurt anyone. Rocky’s ship is beautiful, and it really brought it home both the beautiful visuals of the film and the sad irony that Rocky is unable to see.
LOW POINT: SCIENCE STUFF
Those who are far more knowledgeable about science than me have pointed out Project Hail Mary’s many science inaccuracies and how the adaptation favors emotion over precision. Hank Green posted a great response video where he makes some good points about why certain inaccuracies stick out more than others.
But for me, these inaccuracies didn’t raise any red flags, and I found myself gripped by the narrative regardless.Â
Though I have some qualms with the adaptation, I still thoroughly enjoyed the translation from book to screen. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, comedy, or a good heart-wrenching drama, Project Hail Mary is for you. Read the book, see the film, and do it again! Enjoy the art that’s been put out from a real and talented crew.