Just leaving the cinema now. Been waiting so long to see this and was not disappointed. Agreed on the undertones. Movie was fantastic. Almost as good as the book.
Thanks for the article. I had heard about this and I look forward to reading it. I think you bring up a good question: what makes media Christian? In many cases this is “does it use Christian terminology” or “does it have Christian allegory” or “does it demonstrate self-sacrificial love”. My controversial take: that is thin Christianity, requires little discernment, and takes little courage to write. What I think makes great writing, Christian or non: are timeless truths contained in a compelling story?
There are judeochristian concepts in the film. There are also zoroastrian and buddhist and jewish and islamic aspects. It’s a modern secular film that specifically posits the one true language of the universe is math, and the one true religion is science. I’d argue it’s fundamental understanding is that the universe is analogous to god not separate from it in the form of shepherd or creator, and that therefore there is a shared and universal godhood among all things. But I would also never call something Christian as a compliment.
The ending song in the 2026 film Project Hail Mary is a gospel-style version of "Glory, Glory (Since I Laid My Burden Down)" by Tina Turner. was quite fitting.I loved it. Cried Cried and Cried.
Agree. I dont write Christian SciFi for middle grade readers, I seekto write good fun stories as a Christian writer. Mark Twain said the greatest sin of a writer is a boring story. We're Not On Earth Anymore! (The Wormhole Trilogy) https://a.co/d/0ctwjvbz
I preferred to enjoyed the artistic side of the film, so downplayed my usual over-analysis. And I think it mostly delivered. To me the film was a mix of 2001, Contact, ET, and a little of The Truman Show. Her singing was haunting, especially how she abruptly ended the song.
My very recent re-viewing of the Godfather and Godfather 2 has me on loop hearing references to the Hail Mary and envisioning Fredo taking a slug to the back of the head while fishing. Sorry Romans, it's not good theology and might even get you Fredo'd…
I saw it, loved it, but have been haunted by the idea that Grace’s name was just a pun (“Hail Mary, full of grace…”). I was relieved to read this and see you point out the other Christian elements.
“The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature.”
-C.S Lewis
I’m not making any claims about the religion of Andy Weir or the people who worked on this movie, but I think the sentiment applies.
I think he's agnostic. He may not have intended this to be a Christian work, but the movie ended up that way.
Some of the most Christ-like people I know claim to be agnostics.
And some of the most anti-Christ-like people I know claim to be Christians.
Go figure.
The screenwriter, Drew Goddard, is a practicing Catholic, I believe.
That would make sense.
I wrote an essay (that got published) about this sentiment from Lewis with respect to films.
https://substack.com/@refractedlight/note/p-146015787?r=kj38n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I wanted to see it anyway but now all the more.
Lemme know what you think!
Just leaving the cinema now. Been waiting so long to see this and was not disappointed. Agreed on the undertones. Movie was fantastic. Almost as good as the book.
Thanks for the article. I had heard about this and I look forward to reading it. I think you bring up a good question: what makes media Christian? In many cases this is “does it use Christian terminology” or “does it have Christian allegory” or “does it demonstrate self-sacrificial love”. My controversial take: that is thin Christianity, requires little discernment, and takes little courage to write. What I think makes great writing, Christian or non: are timeless truths contained in a compelling story?
Watched it last weekend and want to get the book now to see how it differs.
There are judeochristian concepts in the film. There are also zoroastrian and buddhist and jewish and islamic aspects. It’s a modern secular film that specifically posits the one true language of the universe is math, and the one true religion is science. I’d argue it’s fundamental understanding is that the universe is analogous to god not separate from it in the form of shepherd or creator, and that therefore there is a shared and universal godhood among all things. But I would also never call something Christian as a compliment.
Spot-on review!
The ending song in the 2026 film Project Hail Mary is a gospel-style version of "Glory, Glory (Since I Laid My Burden Down)" by Tina Turner. was quite fitting.I loved it. Cried Cried and Cried.
Grace was the reluctant savior.
You can interpret the book or movie this way, and I definitely wanted to. But I emailed the author and he denied such a motive or message in his work.
I have heard of this but don’t know much about it and I was wondering. Thank you for sharing.🩷
dang, ive been hearing about this movie everywhere and i still have no idea what it is
Agree. I dont write Christian SciFi for middle grade readers, I seekto write good fun stories as a Christian writer. Mark Twain said the greatest sin of a writer is a boring story. We're Not On Earth Anymore! (The Wormhole Trilogy) https://a.co/d/0ctwjvbz
I preferred to enjoyed the artistic side of the film, so downplayed my usual over-analysis. And I think it mostly delivered. To me the film was a mix of 2001, Contact, ET, and a little of The Truman Show. Her singing was haunting, especially how she abruptly ended the song.
My very recent re-viewing of the Godfather and Godfather 2 has me on loop hearing references to the Hail Mary and envisioning Fredo taking a slug to the back of the head while fishing. Sorry Romans, it's not good theology and might even get you Fredo'd…
Loved the movie but this is a reach
I saw it, loved it, but have been haunted by the idea that Grace’s name was just a pun (“Hail Mary, full of grace…”). I was relieved to read this and see you point out the other Christian elements.
Yet the author said it was just a pun
I didn't know that, that's disappointing