When the film Interstellar released in October of 2014, the film quickly defined what a modern Sci-fi film could become. Highlighting themes in space exploration, complex science, philosophy and time dilation, Interstellar was quickly named one of the greatest films of the 21st century. Just over a decade later a new Sci-fi film, Project Hail Mary, a film adaptation to the novel written by Andy Weir, seems to be making the same impact. Viewers and media outlets all seem to be asking the same question: is it the next Interstellar, or something else entirely ?
For context, Interstellar focuses on an ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper who is recruited by NASA to go on a mission to find a new habitable planet for humans as Earth faces an inevitable famine. He is forced to leave behind his family and promises to them that he will find a solution and come back for them. Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher, who finds himself aboard a ship called the “Hail Mary” his memory is fuzzy and he is not sure how he ended up in this situation. He discovers that he is on a suicide mission to save the Earth from Astrophage, a bacteria that is dimming the sun, putting the entire solar system at risk.
On the surface both movies cover the same concepts. The plots revolve around a lone astronaut sent on a mission to save humanity back on Earth from extinction, with the main character being portrayed by a very recognizable Hollywood actor. Both films center around isolation, problem solving and placing the survival of the human race at stake. It is understandable how both movies can be compared so easily, but it is important to note how both are able to redefine sci-fi films in their own, unique ways.
Both films took very different approaches on the emotional aspect of the mission. Interstellar took its storytelling into a deeper, philosophical direction focusing more on relationships than literal science. Cooper, played by Matthew McCounaughey, centers his motivation more on his family. When taking an outer look at the movie, viewers can see that this is less of a space and science film, but something that draws closer to the heart of the protagonist.
While, Project Hail Mary does highlight relationships and connection the film overall is more scientifically based. Grace, played by Ryan Gosling, incorporates a lot more theories, calculations, and experiments into his discoveries, getting specific into his work and taking the viewer along with him. The film definitely put science into science-fiction. The plot is based more on solving problems to figure out the ultimate goal instead of relying on sentiment to drive the story. While the film still carries emotional values, it is more lighthearted and focused on truth and reason rather than emotional depth.
The comparison of the two movies really comes down to viewer opinion. Someone who values impressive cinematography, emotional depth, and philosophical themes might hold more resonance with Interstellar. While viewers who enjoyed discoveries, scientific based-problem solving and optimistic storytelling will engage with Project Hail Mary more.
So the debate over if Project Hail Mary is the next Interstellar is not necessarily the right question to ask. Both films take two different perspectives on the astronautical survival approach. Both stories were designed in different ways, Interstellar is a film made for the big screen and major cinematic moments, focusing more on visual aids than internal structure. Project Hail Mary, on the other hand, started out as a 500 page novel, focusing more on internal narration and deep scientific reasoning. In the end, Project Hail Mary may be similar to Interstellar, but it will not replace it. Project Hail Mary is its own, original film, not a copy. Both films succeeded in their own, individual ways. They both offered different approaches on how space exploration and science fiction can be interpreted on the big screen.
