Project Hail Mary (Rated 12, 156 minutes)
Project Hail Mary stretches across more than two and a half hours, transforming a high-stakes sci-fi premise into an unexpectedly drawn-out journey. Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher and former molecular biologist thrust into a desperate mission to avert humanity’s extinction.
The story, adapted from Andy Weir’s 2021 novel and co-written by Weir and Drew Goddard, follows Grace awakening from a year-long coma aboard the starship Hail Mary. Suffering amnesia in zero gravity, he pieces together his plight through flashbacks. Sent to the distant star Tau Ceti—the only one unaffected by mysterious microbes dimming all other stars—Grace must discover its immunity and transmit the findings back to Earth. His vessel lacks the power for a return trip, forcing a sacrificial solo voyage.
Grace’s crewmates perished en route, and back on Earth, a stern bureaucrat portrayed by Sandra Hüller recruited him due to his expertise and lack of personal ties—no family, friends, or even a pet. As the narrative unfolds, Grace encounters Rocky, a rock-like, spider-esque alien on a parallel quest to save its species. Their unlikely alliance shifts the tone from tense survival thriller to buddy comedy, complete with slapstick antics reminiscent of classic routines.
While the runtime exceeds Gosling’s previous space outing in First Man (2018)—a taut true-story depiction of the moon landings—early screenings draw chirpy laughter from audiences. Some viewers embrace the film’s blend of hard science and humor, though its length tests endurance.
Midwinter Break (Rated 12, 90 minutes)
Midwinter Break delivers a poignant, deliberately paced exploration of emotional turmoil. Lesley Manville shines as Stella, a devout Catholic scarred by injuries from Belfast’s Troubles. Now trapped in a stagnant marriage to retired architect Gerry (Ciarán Hinds), who favors spirits from a bottle over the Holy Spirit, Stella travels to Amsterdam.
There, she contemplates joining a sisterhood of women, sparking a potential turning point in their relationship. Polly Findlay’s adaptation of Bernard MacLaverty’s novel captivates with exquisite performances and sharp observations, maintaining engagement through its concise runtime despite a measured tempo.
Also Showing
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (Rated 15, 108 minutes)
This gore-filled sequel echoes reality TV’s extremes, blending deadly games with homicidal chases. Samara Weaving reprises Grace, handcuffed to her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) while evading hunters from Satan-worshipping wealthy families in a sprawling mansion. The winner claims global control. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and a cameo from David Cronenberg heighten the chaos. Riotous yet graphic, its 15 rating raises questions amid intense violence.
Broken English (Rated 15, 99 minutes)
A compelling documentary traces Marianne Faithfull’s turbulent life, blending whimsy with raw emotion. Footage of her 1960s heyday alongside the Rolling Stones contrasts her current frailty, oxygen-dependent yet radiating charisma and spirit.
All films are currently playing in cinemas.
