Project Hail Mary
Bravery is not a gene. You just have to find someone to be brave for. – Captain Yao
God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble. For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2
Many of us like to think we have what it takes to be the hero. When we watch an action star face incredible odds and ultimately save the day, we can’t help but put ourselves in their shoes. How would the story play out if we were the protagonist? Many of us (especially men) subconsciously proclaim, “I could do that!” “If the situation presented itself, I wouldn’t hesitate to do what needs to be done.” These are easy things to say from the couch. But armchair heroes rarely make the headlines (at least any uplifting headlines).
Our “hero” in Project Hail Mary might take the mantle for most reluctant heroes in all of cinema. Cast out of academia for his questionable views on the necessities of biological life, Ryland Grace is relegated to teaching middle school science. What’s worse is that he has accepted his lot in life and given up on anything greater. He has bitten into the narrative that he is a failure, and his self-deprecation is a defense mechanism, preventing him from taking any risk that might shatter his self-esteem once again.
The greater problem in Grace’s world is that the sun, along with all other stars in the galaxy, are quickly dying due to an enigmatic particle called “astrophage”. The equally enigmatic Eva Stratt approaches Grace in his classroom asking for help in the global process of finding a solution. Without any solution the sun will slowly dim as the earth and all organisms descend into darkness and inevitable extinction. The weight of the situation is overwhelming for Grace, but he acquiesces to Stratt’s resolute persistence.
The movie cuts back in forth between Grace alone out in space and the previous research that occurred before the mission. We know that Grace ends up on the mission. We also know that he is hesitant to step up at every turn. He clearly possesses the skills necessary to get the job done, but is so scared of failure that he thinks it’s better not to try at all. In a conversation with the captain of the upcoming mission Grace confesses that “he does not have the bravery gene like you.” Yao responds, “Bravery is not a gene. You just have to find someone to be brave for.” Grace sees no one to be brave for, not even himself.
But while some men are born great, many more have greatness thrust upon them. When the science crew is killed in a research accident Grace is left as the last option to take the mantle and go on the mission to find a solution to the only star in the galaxy that is not suffering the same fate.
While Grace’s response is understandable, it is ultimately conceited and self-absorbed. He exclaims, “Some people are failures. They don’t rise to the occasion,” and even more comically, “I put the not in astronaut!” Stratt explains that this is the only shot at a solution that world has. Even after some reflection Grace is unwilling to do what is needed. “You’re asking me to give up my life?” he asks. “Yes I am,” Stratt admits. He tries to give a line about how his students need him, but Stratt shuts that down immediately. She exclaims, “Stop pretending this is about your students, it’s so insulting.” She’s right. It’s not about his students. It’s about Grace and his willingness to allow the earth to experience certain death because he’s scared. He is essentially sacrificing all of human life on the altar of his comfort.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of a similar biblical story. In the book of Judges, a man named Gideon is hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat while the Midianites have overtaken Israel. A messenger from God approaches Gideon claiming, “The LORD is with you, courageous warrior!” Gideon is anything but a courageous warrior. He is cowering in fear of his oppressors and as God attempts to coax him to attempt great things, he responds with excuse after excuse. “How can I deliver Israel? Just look! My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my family.” (Judges 6:15).
Even after God provides promise after promise and proof of his faithfulness Gideon desires a sign that God will be with him. After receiving the first sign he is still not satisfied and requires another. God is gracious and patient with Gideon, but eventually Gideon needed to take the first step. His first step was still a reticent one as he waited until the dead of night to destroy the alter of Baal (Judges 6:27). But little by little Gideon showed that he could choose to be brave despite all his initial reservations.
Grace’s reservations still remain, and he must be drug kicking and screaming to the task at hand. He might not believe in himself, but others do the believing for him.
As he wakes from cryo-sleep and approaches the stellar destination he is met with another space traveler from a different planet which shares the same fate as Earth. Through some amusing scenes of struggling communication, we are introduced to the real star of the movie, Rocky. A five-legged spider-like stony organism with no face or eyes proves to be the most “human” character in the entire film. After the two learn how to converse, they begin to work together to solve the “astrophage” problem.
I think this movie has grown so popular because it zigs where the rest of sci-fi space exploration films have zagged. Many in the genre are pessimistic, dystopian, delving into the sad existence of human beings in a vast universe or searching for alien life that ultimately proves dangerous and bent on killing all of humanity.[1] This movie is much more uplifting because of the dynamic between Grace and Rocky.
Rocky proves not only to be an effective scientific partner, but serves as Grace’s spiritual guide. Grace is still the self-deprecating loser that he was before being shipped off into space. One of his shirts says, “I had potential” as if anything good or meaningful in Grace’s life was wasted in the past. But Rocky assumes the best of Grace and his bubbly personality almost makes Grace believe its true.
When Grace relays to Rocky that he will not be able to make it back home to Earth because he doesn’t have enough fuel, Rocky calls him brave for facing certain death. It may be the first time anyone has ever called Grace brave. When Rocky is willing to give Grace enough fuel for a return trip home, even though it will cost him six years on his own return trip, Grace is overcome with emotion. This might be the first time that he truly understands the concept of his own name. Rocky sacrificially gives Grace something that he doesn’t deserve for no greater reason than Grace is his friend.
In a tense moment, where Grace and Rocky attempt to get a sample of “astrophage” for the final step of their solution, Grace finds himself unconscious as the ship spins out of control. Rocky chooses to risk death, coming out of his protected cage into a caustic atmosphere, in order to save Grace. Grace is further and more drastically met with the concept of unmerited favor. Grace is beginning to understand grace.
After Grace and Rocky find a solution and part ways back to original planets, Grace finds that their solution will not be sustainable for the entire trip home. While he is able to fix the problem on his own ship he knows that Rocky will be unable to correct the problem before it’s too late. He is faced with a decision: Continue home to Earth and doom Rocky to certain death, or intercept Rocky’s ship and risk never returning to Earth.
Grace is finally willing to be brave. The words of Captain Yao echo in his ear, “Bravery is not a gene. You just have to find someone to be brave for.” He has finally found someone to be brave for.
If you did not know, the Bible is filled with encouragements and commands to be strong and courageous. 365 times in Scripture we find the premise, one for each day of the year. God wants us to be brave and never stops encouraging us to do so. Bravery rarely involves an epic space exploration to save humanity. In fact, “ordinary” bravery is often much more impressive than great feats of courage. Bravery involves standing for the truth even when it is inconvenient. It involves discipling others even when it is costly. It involves acting out in faith even when you don’t have all the answers.
The reason we can be strong and courageous is not because of our own abilities, our own wisdom, or our own power. It is because God has proven faithful in his promises. For those that have put their faith in Christ Paul says that “the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. Therefore we are always full of courage.” (2 Corinthians 5:5-6). I can be brave not because I have confidence in my own capabilities, but because God has already provided a means of grace for my reconciliation with Him. If he could make a way for me to be forgiven of my sins he can also give me the confidence to live in light of that truth. “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
You too can be brave today. The most courageous thing a person can do is put their faith in Christ for their salvation. God is not only giving us words of great encouragement, he is proving his power and faithfulness over and over again. “If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised, who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:31-35).
The answer? Nothing can. Nothing is stopping you from being courageous except your own self-inflicted obstacles. Don’t be like Grace, slow to understand the depths of his own name. Be brave by recognizing your own sins but not letting them define you. There is a God of immense grace where your sin can die right beside your fear.
Should I Watch This Movie?: Only if you enjoy buddy movies between bumbling amateur astronauts and lovable alien creatures or you just can’t get enough of Ryan Gosling’s on-screen presence and charm.
Should This Movie Be in the Top 250? – While I appreciate the positive subversion of the genre, I suspect that the success of this movie is due more to this desirable correction than cinematic importance. It’s good, but not great and probably shouldn’t be this high on the list if at all.
[1] Examples include Moon, Ad Astra, Gravity, and District 9. Even more mainstream movies like Interstellar and Star Trek were much more depressing and overcast.