“Project Hail Mary” shines as first reactions call it “the first great blockbuster of 2026”

 COLUMBIA PICTURES

In PH cinemas March 18

An early screening of sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary has garnered praise from press and critics, calling the film “imagination unleashed.” Project Hail Mary is the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. Christopher Miller and Phil Lord co-helm the project as producer and director.

The film stars Ryan Gosling as science teacher Ryland Grace, who wakes up onboard a spacecraft with no memory of his past or how he ended up in space. As he gets his bearings, he deduces that he is on a last-ditch effort to save humanity and the earth from destruction. Project Hail Mary also stars Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Liz Kingsman and James Ortiz.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/tvd7UUHzdhA

Journalist Liam Crowley got emotional during the early screening of Project Hail Mary, posting, “#ProjectHailMary is perfect. Imagination unleashed even better than I pictured it on the page. How Gosling captivates throughout a largely one-man show is beyond me - your earliest Best Actor contender. & my sweet prince Rocky… tears flowed all third act. What a beautiful display of companionship. Heartwarming. Heartbreaking. And genuinely funny! An absolute must-see theatrical experience. “

Variety Editor Jazz Tangcay also praises Gosling’s performance in the film. “#ProjectHailMary is masterful and so beautifully done. A truly heartwarming story of humanity and friendship. A superb performance from Ryan Gosling - a career best. Greig Fraser’s cinematography is exquisite to perfection,” she writes.

Writer Kevin Verma posted on X, talking about the IMAX-worthy visuals of the film. “#ProjectHailMary absolutely floored me. Lord and Miller deliver a space odyssey that is deeply human and heartwarming. Ryan Gosling is fantastic here and brings emotion and charm to this SciFi epic. Incredible visuals and a pulsing score. You wanna see this one in @IMAX”

Gizmodo Senior Reporter Germain Lussier also had only praise for the film, writing, “#ProjectHailMary is pure joy. Hilarious, heartfelt, hugely moving, wildly exciting and absolutely beautiful. The 160 minutes go by in an instant as Lord and Miller keep Weir’s narrative moving like a rocket ship. Gosling is better than ever and the Rocky effect and mind blowing.”

Get ready for lift-off as Project Hail Mary sets off in Philippine cinemas on March 18.

Credit: “Columbia Pictures” 

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Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers tackle the emotional journey of “Reminders of Him” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover

 UNIVERSAL PICTURES

In PH cinemas March 11

A powerful story can only translate to the big screen well with the perfect cast. Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers were personally chosen by author Colleen Hoover to play the main characters, Kenna Rowan and Ledger Ward, in Reminders of Him. The adaptation of her hit novel of the same name also stars Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford.

Reminders of Him tells the story of Kenna Rowan, who returns to her hometown after a life-altering crash that sends her to prison for seven years. Kenna hopes to rebuild her life and het a chance to see her daughter, Diem, who she has never met before. Diem’s custodial grandparents bar Kenna’s attempts at contacting her daughter, but she finds unexpected compassion in local bar owner Ledger. A story of heartbreak, love, and second chances unfold.

The weight of Kenna’s journey falls squarely on the shoulders of Maika Monroe (Longlegs, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle). Hoover loves the restraint and precision Monroe brings to the role “Maika captured that perfectly in her audition,” co-writer and producer Colleen Hoover says. “She has this incredible ability to hold back until the emotion needs to surface. When it does, it’s beautiful. Even in moments of silence, she is doing so much. I cannot imagine anyone else playing Kenna.” 

Monroe did her research and dove deep into the novel to immerse herself in the role. . “It was incredibly helpful to have the book as a reference,” Monroe says. “There is a level of detail there that you cannot always get from a script. I turned to it often, especially before scenes where Kenna says very little.”

There’s also a distinct personality change that was bookmarked before and after Kenna’s accident, and Monroe had to take that into account in her performance. “Before the accident, she is fun and full of life, and her relationship with Scotty feels easy. Afterward, she is completely changed. That kind of trauma never leaves you. Even in your happiest moments, there is still pain underneath that never fully goes away.” 

Ledger Ward is a former NFL player who comes back to Laramie to help care for Diem, the child of his deceased best friend Scotty. His previous work with HIM places him as a top contender for the role. “Ledger needed to feel believable as a former football player, but also emotionally grounded. Tyriq has that presence. He brings strength, warmth and a surprising sensitivity. He kept rising to the top of every conversation,” says producer Gina Matthews.

Withers felt connected to his character from the start. “What drew me to Ledger was how closely his story mirrors parts of my own life,” Withers says. “He is carrying grief while trying to be strong for everyone around him. There is a weight he does not talk about. Playing him allowed me to explore my own experiences and learn more about how I cope, how I love, and how I move through pain.” 

He was glad to have the guiding hand of Hoover throughout production, and felt that it added to the believability of his character. The creative environment on set reinforced that approach. “Having Colleen there was incredible,” Withers says. “She is open and generous, and that gave me confidence. When the person who created the character tells you, ‘You are Ledger,’ it allows you to trust your instincts completely.”

Reminders of Him brings emotion to the cinema on March 11. Check out Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest news and updates.