Ryan Gosling’s First Man is a Must-See Movie Before Project Hail Mary

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Ryan Gosling is heading back to space in an upcoming film! If you’re wondering when he’s been to space before, you might have forgotten his role as Neil Armstrong in the movie First Man.

If you didn’t see this film when it came out in 2018, despite the good reviews, you should definitely check it out now. It didn’t make much money in theaters, but it’s a fantastic movie, and especially worth watching if you’re planning to see Ryan Gosling in Project Hail Mary in 2026. It’s a great way to get ready for the new film, and it’s one of the best biographical movies you’ve probably never seen.

First Man Is Ryan Gosling’s First Great Space Drama

I was completely blown away by Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash back in 2014 – it was incredible and even won an Oscar! So, I was really excited for his next project, a beautiful and uplifting musical that also earned him an Oscar for directing. It was awesome to see him team up with Ryan Gosling again, but this time he took things in a totally new direction, which I thought was brilliant.

Damien Chazelle directed a film adapted from James R. Hansen’s 2005 book, First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong, written by Josh Singer. Instead of simply telling Armstrong’s life story in a typical way, Chazelle took the film much further.

The film is a technically impressive and beautiful story about the dangers and sacrifices made in the effort to land on the moon. Its incredibly realistic space travel scenes are a major highlight – and rightfully won an Academy Award for Visual Effects. But even these thrilling moments are overshadowed by the deeply emotional and personal challenges faced by the main character, a performance made all the more powerful by the actor who plays him.

Ryan Gosling Gives One Of His Strongest Performances In First Man

Beyond his comedic talent on shows like Saturday Night Live and his witty remarks, Ryan Gosling is remarkably stoic. He’s known for delivering captivating and often intense performances with a powerful, distant gaze, as seen in films like the 2011 neo-noir classic Drive and his leading role in Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049.

You know, I’ve always loved Ryan Gosling’s tendency to play things cool and reserved, and it really works in First Man. It’s a more toned-down version of that style, but it’s fantastic. He nails the portrayal of Neil Armstrong as someone who wasn’t the beaming, all-American hero everyone remembers. The movie really digs into the personal stuff – Armstrong dealt with some heartbreaking tragedies that made him a pretty quiet, emotionally closed-off guy, especially at home. It shows how that impacted his relationship with his wife, Janet, played brilliantly by Claire Foy, and their kids, and it’s a huge part of what the film is about.

Viewers unfamiliar with the more private side of this famous figure may have been surprised by the film’s depiction of his life, making it harder for them to fully appreciate it. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, First Man is a powerfully honest film that, while demanding, is ultimately a very satisfying experience.

Despite stunning visuals, a strong performance by Ryan Gosling, and an honest portrayal of a famous American figure, First Man was unfairly dismissed when it was first released. This thoughtful space drama was simply too complex for most viewers in 2018.

Fans of Ryan Gosling should definitely check out Project Hail Mary before he takes them on another exciting space journey. The two movies would make a great double feature!

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2026-03-02 00:07