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On paper, the character of Rocky in Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary sounds like a nightmare: a dog-sized, five-legged rock spider with no face. Yet, in the 2026 film adaptation, he has become one of the most beloved characters in modern sci-fi. In this installment of How It Hits, writer Belen Edwards explores how the filmmakers used a combination of facial psychology, shared scientific culture, and old-school practical puppetry to create a genuine, “movie magic” connection between Ryan Gosling and his extraterrestrial co-star.
Project Hail Mary is now in theaters.
