How realistic is the science in Project Hail Mary ?: From the viability of waterless life to how researchers should handle cosmic emergencies, astronomer Wendy Freedman weighs in on the new sci-fi film.

The article focuses on astronomer Wendy Freedman’s assessment of the scientific accuracy and themes in the new sci-fi film *Project Hail Mary*, which follows a middle school science teacher–turned–astronaut on a mission to save humanity. Freedman praises the film’s realistic portrayal of scientific problem-solving, collaboration, and disciplines such as astrophysics and microbiology, while noting that the depiction of the protagonist’s ostracism from the scientific community is exaggerated. She also discusses the open question of non–water-based life, emphasizing the importance of keeping an open mind given the diversity of planets discovered beyond our Solar System. Freedman reflects on the ethical complexities of life-or-death decisions in extreme scenarios, highlighting the film’s thoughtful engagement with real scientific and philosophical issues. [Extracted from the article]