Before ‘Project Hail Mary,’ Ridley Scott Made the Unbeatable Hard Sci-Fi Classic ‘The Martian’

by

Just days after hitting theaters, Ryan Gosling’s sci-fi movie, Project Hail Mary, is already being hailed as one of the year’s biggest films. It’s earned over $148 million, proving that audiences still love a good science fiction story. The film is a huge success for directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their work on Spider-Verse and the LEGO movies, and for Gosling himself, who continues to show he can lead major blockbuster films. While he recently starred in the hit Barbie, this film truly showcases his ability to carry a movie as the lead.

If you enjoyed the recent space adventure film, you’ll be happy to know there’s another excellent movie inspired by the same author, Andy Weir, and also written by Drew Goddard. Back in 2015, Weir’s novel was adapted into The Martian, directed by sci-fi legend Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. It’s a realistic and emotionally powerful story set in space that’s considered one of the best in the genre.

Is ‘The Martian’ Realistic Sci-Fi?

I just finished watching The Martian, and it’s a gripping story about astronaut Mark Watney. Things go horribly wrong during a mission, and he’s accidentally left behind on Mars, presumed dead. But Watney’s not one to give up! He uses his ingenuity and whatever resources he has – seriously, potatoes play a big role – to not only survive but also find a way to signal back to Earth. It’s a really compelling watch!

Rescuing Watney will take years, but that gives both him and mission control time to devise a daring plan to bring him home. The crew who thought he was gone is courageously stepping up to attempt the rescue, though it’s an incredibly challenging undertaking.

When The Martian came out, it stood out as a remarkably realistic science fiction film. While experts quickly pointed out flaws in Mark Watney’s survival techniques, the movie was based on real scientific data, which helped make it believable. Looking back, it’s not necessarily that the film looks realistic—particularly the final scene—but it genuinely feels like a strong effort to maintain scientific accuracy while still telling a compelling story.

An Outstanding Example of Ridley Scott’s Sci-Fi Prowess

Although it seems like Ridley Scott has directed countless science fiction films, he’s actually made relatively few. Still, he’s become strongly linked to the genre because his sci-fi projects are consistently excellent. Films like Alien and Blade Runner demonstrate this, as do Prometheus and the series Raised by Wolves. His unique vision and style within science fiction have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the field.

I have to say, Ridley Scott really nailed the tone in The Martian, and it’s a big reason why the film quickly became a modern sci-fi classic. Matt Damon gives a fantastic, Oscar-worthy performance, but the movie really shows off Scott’s skill as a director. It’s rare to find a sci-fi film that’s so hopeful and emotionally resonant. It’s no wonder it remains his biggest box office hit, earning over $630 million worldwide, and a critical darling—it racked up seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture! Currently, it holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it Scott’s third highest-rated film, only behind the absolute classics Blade Runner (94%) and Alien (93%).

His latest big science fiction success is The Martian. While Alien Covenant came out later in 2017, it didn’t resonate with audiences as much. In 2026, The Dog Stars, a new sci-fi adaptation with Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, is expected to be a major release, potentially rivaling Project Hail Mary as the year’s standout hard sci-fi film. And Sir Ridley Scott will be directing, marking his return to the genre after nearly a decade.

Read More

2026-03-26 00:37