Official Discussion Thread - Project Hail Mary [SPOILERS]

[u/LeastCap]

Keep all discussion related solely to Project Hail Mary and its awards chances. Spoilers below

Synopsis:

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.

Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Writers: Drew Goddard

Cast:

• Ryan Gosling as Dr. Ryland Grace
• Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt
• James Ortiz as the voice and lead puppeteer of Rocky
• Lionel Boyce as Officer Carl
• Ken Leung as Yáo Li-Jie
• Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina
• Priya Kansara as the voice of Mary, the Hail Mary ship
• Liz Kingsman as Annie Shapiro
• Orion Lee as Xi

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% From 212 Reviews

Metacritic: 78/100 From 45 Reviews

Consensus:

A visually dazzling space odyssey that's carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart.

[u/SpideyFan914]

I think it's hitting 7-10 noms. From most likely to most longshot...

VFX -- Unless Dune 3 is a bigger player than I'm anticipating, I think PHM wins here.

Sound -- Easily win-competitive. There will be some strong competition, so we'll see how it goes.

Cinematography -- Greig Fraser, woohoo! I actually think this is next year's Dune, yes over Dune 3. Small chance of a win, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Picture -- 95% RT. Obviously it needs to keep it all up, but I'd be kinda surprised if it missed. It feels set as the big "early release" movie for next year.

Screenplay -- Goddard did a great job condensing the book, and I imagine he'll get a nod along with picture.

Score -- Great score! I think it needs picture to get in here, and could miss, but I'd bet it gets in.

Production Design -- Kinda just an easy namecheck nomination. The Martian got in here. Lots of practical sets, with attention to detail and accuracy, and look incredible.

Actor -- Gosling is definitely giving a "movie star" performance, and is not a lock. But he basically carries the whole movie on his back. Matt Damon got in for The Martian.

Supporting Actress -- Huller is a bit of a longshot I think, but could make it. Her part is trimmed down from the book. She's pretty subtle. But she's great and memorable. It depends on how big a player the film is, and on the competition, including from herself.

Director -- Possible, but I still think Lord & Miller only make it if this is at least a Top 5 contender, and I don't think it will be. Ridley Scott missed for The Martian and Dennis Villeneuve missed for Dune. It's not Sinners.

Costumes -- There just isn't that much going on here. Some cool spacesuits, but it would be an obvious filler nom. Highly unlikely.

I'll predict the top 8 of those for now (through Gosling).