There are books you read, and there are books you live inside for a few days. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir belongs firmly in the second group. It is the sort of story that earns a permanent spot on the shelf, and a place near the top of my recommendation list.
Weir made his name with The Martian, his debut novel, which became a genuine publishing phenomenon and then an equally successful film in 2015, directed by Ridley Scott and led by Matt Damon. His follow up, Artemis, drew a more divided response, the way second books so often do. With Project Hail Mary he returned to everything readers loved the first time around: real science, a likeable and resourceful narrator, and problems solved one careful step at a time. It is funny, tense, and surprisingly tender, and the friendship at its heart is one I have thought about long after the final page.
Buy Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir at Bookshop.org
If you prefer to listen, I cannot recommend the audiobook highly enough. It is narrated by Ray Porter, who won the 2022 Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year for this very performance. He gives the main character such warmth and dry humour that the hours simply disappear. There is also a clever musical element woven into the recording that rewards careful listening, though I will say no more than that. It is one of the most enjoyable listens I have come across, and a lovely companion for a quiet afternoon at the desk.
Now to the film. Project Hail Mary reached cinemas in March 2026, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with Ryan Gosling in the lead. It was a real success, both with critics and at the box office, and I finally had the opportunity to watch it. I will admit I approached it with caution. I always worry about adaptations and how easily they can spoil a good book. This time I was delightfully surprised. I enjoyed the film thoroughly, very nearly as much as the book itself, which is high praise from someone who is usually rather protective of a good story.
Which brings me to a small piece of advice. If you intend to watch a film based on a book, read the book first. Doing it the other way around can quietly rob you of the discoveries the author worked so hard to set up. The pages give you the freedom to picture it all yourself before the screen decides for you. If you are truly keen on a story, I do not recommend reversing the order.
So my suggestion is simple. Pour something warm, settle in with the novel, and let the film be your reward afterwards.
Share: