Project Hail Bravery: A Profound Exploration

Project Hail Mary surprised me in many ways. With its undeniable charm, amusing references, and exciting retelling of a classic in American literature, but what about this story makes it stand out amongst the cream of the galactic crop? There are many reasons, but the main belief that stems throughout the film is its psychological breakdown of courage & bravery. 

As an everyday middle school teacher, Dr. Ryland Grace never felt like he could reclaim the freedom to discover novel innovations that could lead humanity anywhere. But when this opportunity from an international task force came his way, he knew he needed to take that extra step of believing in himself. As the story progressed, the life he kept challenging himself to pursue rose to greater heights. 

Psychologists have believed that bravery is the ability to act on impulse, which can foster a willingness to pursue a greater good or one's own personal growth. Dr. Ryland Grace was given the task of leading a mission not with the certainty that it would work, but with the daring of not knowing if he was up to the task. Most of us have definitely felt this unique sense of turmoil as we aspire to challenge ourselves but are uncertain of the results. 

At first, Grace refused to be part of the titular operation because he deemed his expertise inferior, but it also stemmed from his insecurity about measuring up to the task. And although both may be true, it’s his outsider’s perspective that led Eva Stratt to believe he was the man for the job. It is said that bravery is the last step towards true confidence, and I thoroughly believe that confidence is about recognizing your value. And after each step you take, you can find the greater purpose of your life, which can lead to alignment with your life’s goals. 

Research suggests a theory called the “courage process,” which is guided by an understanding of potential consequences while still taking action without overevaluating the risk. Grace needed that push so that he could truly embark on an adventure that never cost him a life, but brought him to another. Once he meets Rocky, he recognizes his value by first securing the astrophage, which would improve humanity's survival rates, and second, by providing enough fuel for Rocky and his species to return home without losing their own kind. 

Before venturing into this odyssey, Grace would’ve looked at his future self in the mirror as someone who is far beyond him (literally). He became someone who understood the task at hand and rewired his intentions toward one of great growth for himself and the universe at large. Bravery comes from that extra mile that can help propel, lift, empower, and endure the various doubts that may arise in these seemingly horrifying pursuits. Project Hail Mary is a fascinating exploration of how we build enough confidence to let our value blossom, and to that I say, "I give a proud thumbs down."