Join Lucius, Grace, Paula, and Drew as they react, review, and reflect on Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's delightful movie adaptation of Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, and share recommendations of some thematically related books and films.

(00:00) Intro

Welcome to Soul on Screen — Project Hail Mary, full of grace

(01:14) React

Surprisingly fun and heartwarming despite a fairly bleak premise, a welcome dose of positive science fiction, impressed by Ryan Gosling carrying most of the movie solo, and the delight of watching the story unfold fresh with no prior knowledge of the book

(07:54) Review

Ryan Gosling's perfectly calibrated performance balancing humor and genuine emotion, the directors' experience with animation brought levity to a dense sci-fi premise, seamless blending of practical puppetry and VFX for the alien character Rocky, smart adaptation choices that prioritize character relationship over scientific detail, and an ensemble spirit of global cooperation that feels both hopeful and refreshingly un-dystopian

(22:11) Reflect

Exploring the transformative power of friendship on courage and virtue, Rocky's selfless sacrifice as an image of the greatest love, the transformative arc of Dr. Grace's character, the parallel structure of fear-driven vs. love-driven decisions, the theme of waiting in hope, and what it means to rise to a calling you never sought

(47:45) Recommend

Related books and films:

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (the novel)
• Arrival (film)
• Contact (film)
• To Live Well by Alan Noble
• Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas