Project Hail Mary Heresy

Project Hail Mary is a 2026 sci-fi film based on a 2021 novel by Andy Weir. It stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher and former molecular biologist who is the sole survivor of a three-person space crew that was launched 10 years ago.

The movie is a real audience-pleaser, receiving 94% positive reviews from critics and 95% from moviegoers on Rotten Tomatoes. It is also doing gangbusters at the box office, grossing $320 million domestically and another $320 million internationally, easily covering its estimated $200 million production costs.

From everything I’ve heard, it is a movie well worth seeing – wholesome and entertaining – and I intend to take my wife to see it before it leaves the theaters.

However, I recently read an article about the movie by a pastor that made me cringe. At first glance, it sounded fine, but upon a deeper look it bordered on downright heresy.

Spoiler alert: At the end of the movie, Ryland Grace makes a sacrificial decision that puts the interests of others before himself. It is commendable, laudable, and worthy of imitation. But the pastor who authored the article went a step further and said that Ryland’s sacrifice “made him a better Christian than most other Christians.”

Wrong, pastor!

In the article, the pastor admits that Ryland never mentions God’s name, never prays to God, and never provides evidence of having faith in God – let alone a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, there is no reference to Ryland having repented of his sins and placing his faith and trust in Jesus for salvation. And so, by the definition provided us in the Bible, Ryland isn’t a Christian at all… just a good man who made a moral and selfless decision.

But wait, the pastor says, Ryland “acts” more like a Christian than most Christians, doesn’t that count for something? Once again, that makes him a good man who exhibits Christ-like qualities, but until there is an internal (and eternal) transformation, he simply isn’t a Christian.

Sorry to disappoint you, pastor, but the Bible is pretty straightforward on this subject… and quite frankly, you should know that (and I have a sneaking suspicion that you already do, but it doesn’t fit your preconceived agenda).

I don’t mean to sound harsh or judgmental, but this is a core tenet of the Christian faith and not just a matter of semantics. Simply put, our good works – no matter how well-intentioned and sacrificial they may be – do not make us a Christian nor will they get us past the pearly gates and into heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” It really doesn’t get much plainer than that. You can’t “Ryland Grace” your way into heaven because even our best works are tainted by sin. Isaiah 64:6 clearly states that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” and so, Ryland Grace (if he were real) would still be on the outside of heaven looking in unless he placed his faith and trust in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross… and not on what he accomplished in outer space.

Yes, the character of Ryland Grace should make Christians everywhere take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they would be willing to make such a selfless sacrifice. And depending on our answer, Ryland Grace’s example can be used to inspire – or shame – us all.

But to say that he is a better Christian is a bridge too far because, in fact, he isn’t a Christian at all.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 (NKJV)