Why you should take your kids to see the new Ryan Gosling movie: Project Hail Mary

April 16, 2026

I just got back from watching the new Ryan Gosling film, Project Hail Mary, with my wife, and I have to say, it's really stuck with me. Normally, I don't go around recommending movies, but this one is different. It's not just entertaining, although it definitely is - it's also about something that I think is really important, and that's at risk of getting lost in our daily lives: being curious, having the courage to take risks, and being able to think critically when things get tough. What I loved about this movie is the way it celebrates these values, and reminds us of how essential they are for navigating the unknown.

Imagine being a science teacher who's really confused, and then you're stuck in a spaceship with no memory of who you are or how you got there. That's basically what happens in Project Hail Mary. The main character, played by Ryan Gosling, wakes up in deep space all alone, with no idea what's going on or why the other two crew members are unable to help`2qw. He's not some kind of fearless astronaut, he's just a regular guy who's really scared and unsure of himself. He panics and second-guesses himself a lot, which makes him seem more like a normal person than a hero. As the story goes on, he starts to remember things through these really stressful flashbacks, and he figures out that he's been chosen to solve a huge problem that could mean the end of the world. It's a pretty crazy situation, and he's not even sure if he can do it. But what's interesting is that he's not just some kind of superhero, he's a real person who's trying to figure things out as he goes along. He's got this inner dialogue that's always saying "this is bad, this is really bad", which makes him seem more relatable and human. Over time, he starts to piece together what's happening and why he's there, and it's a pretty wild ride. The way he thinks and solves problems is really interesting, and it's not just about being a hero, it's about being a person who's trying to save the world.

The movie takes complex astrophysics and turns it into a thrilling ride, full of suspense. There are scenes where everything depends on getting a calculation just right, and my wife and I were on the edge of our seats, thinking "if he messes up this equation, we're in big trouble". It's not every day you hear yourself saying something like that in a theater. The way the film builds tension around these moments is really clever, making you feel like the characters' fate hangs in the balance. You find yourself invested in the story, wondering if they'll get it right, and what will happen if they don't. It's a unique experience, to say the least, and it's a testament to the filmmakers' skill that they can make high-level astrophysics feel so gripping and intense.

You think the movie is going to be all about one person and their own problems, but then it surprises you with a really charming friendship. This friendship is not what you would expect - the two people can't even talk to each other in a normal way, and they seem like they wouldn't get along at all. But somehow, they work together really well, even better than most people do when they're in a group. It's not like the typical story of someone meeting an alien, it's more like a nervous teacher meeting a super smart person who always tells the truth, and they become the best of friends.

You might have noticed that I've been worried about how kids these days are influenced by short videos and social media feeds that are designed just for them. What I really like about this movie is that it does something different - it slows things down. By doing this, it gets people to think, to reflect on what's happening, and to really consider what's going on. This is really important in today's world, where everything moves so fast, and we often don't take the time to think things through. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but this movie reminds us that taking a step back and thinking carefully is crucial.

Ryan Gosling’s character Dr Grace, isn't your typical superhero. He's actually pretty confused and overwhelmed a lot of the time, and often finds himself in way over his head. But despite all this, he just keeps going. He pays attention, tries to figure things out, and when he fails - which he does - he doesn't give up. Instead, he tries again, and that's something we should really be teaching kids to do. I mean, think about it, he's not some invincible hero who always saves the day, he's just a regular person who keeps trying, and that's what makes him so relatable. He's resilient, he demonstrates the human capacity to face, overcome, be strengthened by and even be transformed by adversity.

The world today is a far cry from what it used to be, especially for young people. Nowadays, it's all about speed - who can respond the fastest, who can get the answer out quickest. But in this rush to be fast, we're forgetting one crucial thing: understanding. It's no longer about taking the time to really grasp something, to ask questions, to explore and discover. Instead, it's about being sure, even if that means being wrong. And this shift is having a profound impact on how young people think and learn. They're not being encouraged to use their brains, to think critically, to question and seek answers. It's a worrying trend, one that could have long-term consequences for their ability to learn, to grow, and to succeed. We need to take a step back and re-evaluate our priorities - is being quick really more important than being right? Shouldn't we be praising young people for their curiosity, their creativity, and their willingness to learn, rather than just their speed? By doing so, we can help them develop a deeper understanding of the world, and a more meaningful approach to learning.

We're raising a generation that can quickly scroll through things, but when it comes to sitting down and thinking deeply about a problem, they struggle. It's no wonder they're not as resilient as they used to be. What's fascinating, though, is how Project Hail Mary teaches us that real learning isn't always a straightforward process. It's slow, it's uncomfortable, and it's okay to not have all the answers. You'll make mistakes, but that's where the real learning happens. The key is to stick with it, to give your brain the time it needs to work through the problem. That's how you grow, that's how you learn. It's not about having all the answers at your fingertips, it's about being willing to struggle, to figure things out, and to keep pushing forward even when it gets tough. I think what's really important here is that we need to teach kids that it's okay to not know something right away. We need to encourage them to take their time, to think critically, and to be patient with themselves. It's not about being perfect, it's about being willing to learn and to grow. And I think that's something that we can all learn from, not just kids. We need to be willing to take risks, to try new things, and to learn from our mistakes. That's how we become resilient, that's how we become stronger. So, let's make a conscious effort to slow down, to think deeply, and to learn from our mistakes. Let's teach kids that it's okay to not have all the answers, and that it's okay to struggle. Let's show them that real learning is a journey, not a destination. And let's be patient with ourselves, and with each other, as we navigate this journey together.

That is precisely the opposite of what most digital platforms are designed to encourage. This is not just a technology issue—it is a developmental issue. The adolescent brain is wired for novelty, reward, and social feedback. That’s not a flaw - it’s biology. But when that brain is placed in an environment of constant stimulation and immediate gratification, it adapts accordingly. Attention fragments. Persistence drops. Frustration tolerance shrinks.

It's scary to think that we're slowly losing the ability to really think for ourselves. What really stood out to me about this movie wasn't the futuristic stuff, but how the characters thought things through. Seeing someone struggle with tough problems, try out different ideas, and just sit with not knowing the answer felt kind of weird, like I wasn't used to it. And that's what's worrying. If we don't teach our kids how to think deeply, they're going to struggle in a lot of areas, like learning new things, getting along with others, making good choices, and even figuring out who they are as people. So, I think we need to do something about it. We need to help them develop this skill, or it's going to be tough for them to navigate the world. It's not just about learning facts, but about being able to think critically and make sense of things. If we don't make a change, I think we're going to see a lot of kids struggling to find their way. And that's not just a problem for them, it's a problem for all of us. We need to take this seriously and start making some changes, or we're going to lose something really important: the ability to think for ourselves.

Don’t just send your teenagers off to watch this film - watch it with them. And then ask them:

“What did you notice about how he solved problems?”

“How did he cope when he didn’t know the answer?”

“What would you have done differently?”

The true worth of Project Hail Mary lies not just its storyline, but in the way it makes us think. We don't necessarily need our kids to grow up and become astronauts, but we do need them to develop a curious and inquiring mind. As artificial intelligence starts to play a bigger role in our lives, being able to think critically and come up with creative solutions will be more important than ever. And let's be honest, the future won't be won by those who can just spit out quick answers - it'll be the people who can think deeply and come up with innovative ideas that will really make a difference.

It will belong to those who can ask the best questions.

We're raising a generation that's really good at absorbing information, but not so good at thinking for themselves. This movie is a real eye-opener about what's at stake. I don't usually recommend films, but this one is worth watching - it's not just well-made, it's also a great way to start a conversation with your kids that they really need to have. It's a wake-up call, and it could make a big difference in how they think about their own ideas and creativity. By watching this movie, you can help spark a conversation that will get your kids thinking critically and coming up with their own thoughts and ideas.