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It’s here and it’s beautiful!
That’s how critics reacted to “Rocky,” the rising star in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s directorial debut in 12 years. Hail Mary project. Although the film will be released in theaters on March 20, official reviews dropped this morning, and the consensus among professional critics is that Amazon MGM Studios has a winner on its hands.
Starring Ryan Gosling, Hail Mary project This film is based on the best-selling science fiction book by Andy Weir. Weir was also behind the equally ambitious and hugely successful hard science fiction book Martianwhich was made into a film by Ridley Scott and became a major critical and commercial success in 2015. Another link to Martian Drew Goddard is writing the script for Hail Mary project After receiving an Oscar nomination for the film Scott.
The film revolves around astronaut Ryland Grace (Gosling) who wakes up on a spaceship with amnesia. Grace soon realizes that he is on a mission to save Earth and must enlist the help of another life form, whom he calls Rocky, to complete his work.
Hail Mary projectThe cast also includes Academy Award nominee Sandra Holler, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung and Milana Vayntrub. Hollywood Reporter It was revealed that Rocky will be played by theater artist James Ortiz.
Brief and limited reaction to Hail Mary project This film began trending on social media in late February, after press screenings. This early reaction suggested that the film might be a genre classic, another science fiction adaptation of Weir’s literary works.
Full reviews of the film seem to be fueling the early hot takes on social media, with critics praising Lord and Miller for making a film that brings heart, emotion and plenty of glorious sci-fi that’s likely to be a big winner with audiences. Currently, the film has a score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after 69 reviews. Hail Mary projectIts Metacritic rating is currently 79.
Hollywood ReporterDavid Rooney is firmly in the “I like it” camp, writing that the film is an “interplanetary buddy movie” that shows that Lord and Miller’s “capacity for thriving humor and sincere emotion” remains largely intact after 12 years away from the director’s chair. Rooney praises the co-directors for crafting a film that doesn’t trivialize science and focuses on the glory, mystery and spectacle of space. “What’s most gratifying is the lengths to which filmmakers have gone in seeking practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on digital tools or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences,” Rooney writes. “The focus on in-camera effects makes an enormous difference in the overall feel of the experience.”
The GuardianPeter Bradshaw was less enthusiastic about it Hail Mary projectI felt that the film was charming but not serious. “Gosling is an effortlessly charming screen player, and he keeps it watchable, although the film itself has moments of dullness and a kind of puppyish silliness, which is perhaps not surprising given the comedic track record of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller,” says Bradshaw. “Perhaps it’s refreshing that the film doesn’t aim for the dizzying awe and ecstasy of, say, Christopher Nolan,” the critic adds. Interstellar Or even belittle Jon Spaihts Passengersbut it contains classic sci-fi vehicle tropes: massive, mysterious architecture with its rotating tunnels in which pop music plays to calm the residents.
Writing in RogerEbert.comRobert Daniels was also somewhat disappointed Hail Mary project. Daniels also praised Gosling’s star power for supporting the film, writing that the actor “with his wit and charm (not to mention his attuned sense of physical comedy), keeps things moving, even when this film is not only narratively retracing its steps but also telling viewers exactly what to feel at every millisecond.” “Lord and Miller believe they have made a film that is transcendent and visually stunning,” Daniels adds. “It’s a belief they hope we share. And we will, if they allow us the space to do so.”
BBC film critic Nicholas Barber also landed hard on the “I like it” side of the ledger, describing Hail Mary project As a “brilliant and surprisingly entertaining story about the potential extinction of the human race.” Barber praises Gosling’s performance as well as the film’s structure. “Lord and Miller knew what they were doing when they chose such a bright, refreshing tone. They created a two-and-a-half-plus hour sci-fi epic that was a one-man show for a good portion of that time. They filled it not with action, but with mind-stretching concepts, painstaking laboratory research and complex technical puzzles. To do all that and keep things entertaining throughout is an extraordinary achievement.”
Slash movieEthan Anderton has been bowled before Hail Mary projectdescribing the film as one of the “best sci-fi films ever made” and Gosling’s performance as “fantastic.” Quack Anderton writes: “Combining the best parts ET extraterrestrial, Access, Martianand InterstellarBrilliant Hail Mary project Not only is it likely the best sci-fi movie of 2026, it’s instantly one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Filled with enchanting adventure, a sense of hope, and a hearty dose of humor and genuine emotion, the story of a scientist-turned-astronaut and his surprising alien sidekick is one of the most satisfying cinematic experiences of the 21st century.
in IndieWireKate Erbland wrote Hail Mary project It’s wonderfully entertaining and deeply felt. Erbland praised Rocky, writing: “Lord and Miller’s film is already steeped in porn before Rocky comes on the scene (yes, he does eventually roll over, minding his own clever designs), but having a new partner for all his calculations, machinations, fears, and wonders heightens that particularly fun element of the film. Come with them engaged in the art of primitive puppetry, and stay with them working out each other’s alphabets in real time (James Ortiz, who Rocky is puppeteered and ultimately voiced by Rocky, a star capable of almost outshining Ryan Gosling.)
Huay Tran Bui’s review inverse Titled: “Hail Mary project It is popcorn science fiction at its most crowd-pleasing. With the subtitle: “Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!” Yes, another glowing endorsement. “It’s hard to write about,” Bowie writes Hail Mary project Without comparing it to Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Martianalthough each film is vastly different. Both of Ware’s novels had a strict devotion to science, and both had screenwriter Drew Goddard write the screenplays. But where Martian It was the rare science-oriented Hollywood drama that felt like it was made for adults, Hail Mary project It feels like it caters to the widest possible audience.
Writing to ColliderRoss Bonaimi writes Hail Mary project “It’s the first great film of 2026” and “an amazing summation of what it’s made of.” [Lord and Miller] So great.” “Lord and Miller have created an amazing film that is truly funny and truly emotional,” Bonaimi wrote, “and with a fantastic performance by Ryan Gosling that makes the film sing. Hail Mary project It’s not just a welcome return for Lord and Miller as filmmakers; It’s also the first great movie of 2026.
USA TodayAnother person who felt this way was Brian Truitt Hail Mary project is the first great film of the year, with the critic praising the accessible lore and Gosling’s everyman charm. Truett wrote that the interactions between Gosling’s character and Rocky are “amusing, nuanced, and even poignant, and… “This is where Lord and Miller flourish as directors.” Truitt writes that the film compares favorably to… Martian: “Half the battle is writer Drew Goddard’s commitment to Ware’s script – the author has a knack for space drama, and Peace be upon you, Mary It plays very much like his other book adaptations Martian (And Goddard did too.) The new film embraces the weird science in Ware’s writing, making it accessible rather than dismissing it.
empireJohn Nugent wrote that Hail Mary projectHe loves Martianis “intelligent, wise and preposterously entertaining” and “a supremely confident sign of talent” by Lord and Miller. Like many other critics, Nugent is full of praise for Gosling and Rocky, writing: “It is a credit to the performances of both Gosling and the team behind Rocky (including puppeteer James Ortiz) that this film — which for a sustained period of time features only one human character — feels so alive.” He adds: “The gravity and stakes of the mission are never in doubt, and Lord and Miller allow for moments of real grace and sincerity – you might find yourself tearing apart a faceless alien.”
The daily monsterNick Schagher was gushing in his praise Hail Mary projectopened his review with: “Cinema is tailor-made for greatness – in scope, scale, stakes, spectacle and emotion – and Hail Mary Project embraces that power with a finesse so rare in the modern multiplex scene.” Shager also gives a nod to Gosling’s “charisma” and takes “the actor’s opportunity to display the slapstick physical comedy prowess he first demonstrated to hilarious effect in Nice guysFor Chager, the film is “equal parts Martian and Interstellaralbeit with Lord and Miller’s sense of humor, which shines through at every stage of the journey.
This story will be updated as more reviews are published.
