Josh Howerton @howertonjosh
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OK, here's my thesis: "Project Hail Mary," starring @RyanGosling, is actually a CHRISTIAN movie.

Now, all of this could theoretically be a coincidence, but let me make my case 👇

6:01 PM · Jul 27, 2026
https://x.com/howertonjosh/status/2081877719864762708

The main character, Ryland Grace, is sent into certain death to save everyone else. His alien cohort, named Rocky, is the rock by which Grace builds his entire rescue. His entire adventure is kicked off by a woman named Eva. The long shot of a project is called "Hail Mary," which is something the Catholics will adore.

But once you put it all together, that grace saved a decaying universe after Eve's actions began the whole thing, and that Christ built his church upon the "rock" that was Peter, and what's more, Christ made himself a sacrifice to accomplish that end.

Obviously, the film is not a one-to-one beat of Christ's journey, but if the theories are correct, then the point wasn't to mirror His story, but to borrow heavily from it. //

What was produced is so Christian, not just in name, but in feel, that I honestly think that any creators in the Christian space should take notes.

This is how you do it. Jesus told parables that got His point across. Christians should do the same. You don't need to be on the nose about it. I would even say I would avoid making Christian content that would meet the approval of the front row of the church.

Just tell a human story and put God over it. You don't have to reference Him. Tolkien surely didn't, but you could feel the influence of God in the story. The traits and virtues He wants you to have pushed forward. Clear lines of good and evil. Hope in the face of hopelessness. Action taken, even if the chances are slim. Faith that it'll work out right, even if you can't figure out how. //

The ship "Hail Mary" was full of "grace" (Doctor Grace).