Project Hail Mary (12, 156 mins)
Verdict: Ambitious but excessively long.
Ryan Gosling leads this space thriller adapted from Andy Weir’s 2021 novel, with Weir co-writing the screenplay alongside Drew Goddard. The story follows Ryland Grace, a former molecular biologist turned middle-school science teacher, who awakens from a year-long coma aboard the starship Hail Mary. Suffering amnesia in zero gravity, Grace pieces together his mission through flashbacks: humanity faces extinction as mysterious microbes dim the sun and other stars, threatening Earth.
Tasked by stern administrator Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller), Grace launches toward Tau Ceti, the sole unaffected star 11.9 billion light years away. His ship carries enough power for a one-way trip, demanding personal sacrifice. Stratt selects him for his expertise and solitary life—no family, no pets, no one to miss him.
Grace discovers his two crewmates perished en route. At Tau Ceti, he encounters Rocky, a rock-like, spider-esque alien on a parallel quest to save its species. Their alliance shifts the narrative from tense sci-fi to buddy comedy, complete with slapstick antics reminiscent of classic routines. While some scenes draw laughs, the film’s 2.5-hour runtime exceeds Gosling’s prior space role in First Man (2018), testing audience patience despite early positive reactions.
Midwinter Break (12, 90 mins)
Verdict: Thoughtful and compelling despite slow pace.
Lesley Manville stars as Stella, a devout Catholic scarred by injuries from Belfast’s Troubles. Now emotionally confined in her marriage to retired architect Gerry (Ciaran Hinds), who favors whiskey over faith, Stella visits Amsterdam. There, she contemplates joining a sisterhood, sparking a potential break in their long union.
Polly Findlay directs this adaptation of Bernard MacLaverty’s novel, delivering exquisite performances and keen observations. Its concise 90 minutes sustain engagement through subtle emotional depth.
Also Showing
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (15, 108 mins)
This gore-filled sequel reunites Samara Weaving as Grace, handcuffed to estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) while evading killers from Satan-worshipping families in a sprawling mansion. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and David Cronenberg cameo in this chaotic hunt for global control. Riotous violence raises questions about its 15 rating amid graphic content.
Broken English (15, 99 mins)
This documentary traces Marianne Faithfull’s turbulent life, from 1960s stardom with the Rolling Stones to current frailty on oxygen. Her enduring charisma shines, offering a poignant reflection on resilience.
All films screen in cinemas now.
