Category: Project Hail Mary

EVA STRATT, ONE

Please don’t read about Stratt if you don’t want spoilers for “Project Hail Mary”.

My first instinct was to call her a Head Type, but she might be a One. Rules are very important to her. She’s in charge of saving the human race and she won’t shirk her responsibility. A One with a vision is indefatigable. They make a good leader when survival is on the line because they aren’t swayed by feelings. Their coldness is their strength.

Also, Stratt’s karaoke scene suggests that little twinkle that a One has. Her job is too serious to let her dip into humor, but for a small moment we see that she’s got a hidden trait.

Stratt as a One and Grace as a Six leads to the confrontation they have. Both are rule-following Enneagram numbers. Grace, who’s convinced he’s not fit for space, won’t budge. Stratt, who has no other option than Grace for her team, will do anything to advance her mission, including drugging and forcing Grace to go. Not many numbers would act so ruthlessly, but a One with a purpose will.

In Stratt’s final scene, we see how implacable she is. Years have passed; her face is lined with age. She’s sailing on a freezing body of water. This is the state of the world as the sun dies. I doubt she’s in the arctic; she’s probably near Hawaii, although the movie doesn’t specify that. All this time, she’s continued on mission. I actually get chills thinking of how dedicated she is and how her belief in Grace comes to fruition. It’s a beautiful moment when she holds Rocky’s sculpture and gives a slight smile. For Stratt, this is the equivalent of jumping up and down with joy.

You don’t have a story without Stratt and her stringency. A One is an excellent choice for a difficult character. She’s implacable. Perhaps some think her villainous. However, all of her decisions feel true to her nature. Her believability is essential.

ROCKY (THE ERIDIAN), TWO

Rocky is a rock-shaped alien. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that; the trailers were generous in showing him.

Animated characters are similar to Rocky’s design: a voice actor provides one aspect of his personality; the illustrator (or in this case, the puppeteer) provides another layer. They can have an Enneagram, and so can Rocky. However, because he has no human-style face, the voice carries more of the load.

James Ortiz gives Rocky a very energetic voice; he loves problem-solving and is curious, asking many questions. He also has a dry sense of humor. He’s loyal to his species, his mate, and his new friend Grace. Rocky has a generous heart.

He could be any of the traits: Head, Heart, or Body Type. Because he’s the only Eridian we get to know, we can’t tell if he’s more physical than others, more sympathetic, or more cerebral. He’s our only example. With so many options, it’s tempting to call him a Null.

That wouldn’t be fair, though; he clearly has a personality. We’ll need to judge him by human standards.

His wit and exuberant physicality suggest a One. His adventurousness suggests a Seven. His sorrow at being alone in space suggests —

A Two. His little xenon sculptures are his Two Collection. The last half of the movie makes clear that Rocky is a Heart Type. I’ll say no more than that.

RYLAND GRACE, SIX

I saw Project Hail Mary in theaters, and then recently rewatched it on streaming. I would say that the second viewing was a little slower because I knew what Grace needed to discover, but overall it was still a great movie.

Grace is no Body Type; he has no confidence in his physical abilities. He’s also no Heart Type; he’s unaffected by appeals to the good of humanity. He’s a Head Type, one who’s removed himself from professional society. This is part of what makes his Hero’s Journey compelling. He’s no hero, not even in his own mind.

We’re left with a Five, Six, or Seven. 

He eventually comes to see himself as an adventurer, as any Seven would, and he ends up being quite resourceful in a pinch. It’s a stretch, though, to call him a Seven. He’s not excited enough at his possibilities. A Seven would love to go into space.

Because his pre-mission choices are driven by fear, he could be a Six. He enjoys being of service to his students, and is willing to speak honestly to them. His classroom is all the world he needs, and he’s happy that it’s a small, isolated environment.

Ah, there we go. At first, his duty is to his teaching job. Later, his duty is to Rocky. A Six can do anything when they feel a sense of duty. It’s what keeps a Six from becoming mentally paralyzed by worry. Grace is a good example of the possibilities of a Six, from their darkest characteristics to their most glorious. The story of how he finds his bravery is very compelling.