Eva Mendes Turns Valentine’s Tribute Into a Subtle Promo for Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary
Eva Mendes marked Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, 2026 (ET) with an intimate set of black-and-white photos dedicated to her partner, Ryan Gosling, blending a classic love note with a clear nod to his next film. The images — sultry, spare and deliberately styled — featured Mendes in an oversized T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Believe in the Hail Mary, " linking the holiday post to the actor’s upcoming Project Hail Mary, due March 20, 2026 (ET).
A personal Valentine with a cinematic wink
The recent photo series captures Mendes lounging on a bed, hair tousled and expression softly contemplative in several frames. A caption beneath the images read simply, "For my Valentine ♥️, " a sentiment that doubled as a public, affectionate nod to her longtime partner. By choosing a graphic tee that references Project Hail Mary, Mendes fused a romantic message with a playful promotional element, bringing attention to a high-profile release while keeping the focus squarely on the couple’s private connection.
Privacy, partnership and promotional savvy
Mendes and Ryan Gosling have maintained a famously private life since they began their relationship after meeting on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011. The couple share two daughters, Esmeralda, 11, and Amada, nine, and rarely make public appearances together, making this Valentine’s-themed image drop notable for its intimacy.
The choice to wear merchandise tied to Gosling’s film adds an extra layer to the gesture. Project Hail Mary, set to hit theaters March 20, 2026 (ET), is one of the actor’s most anticipated projects in recent years. Mendes’ understated styling — monochrome photography, minimal makeup and a relaxed wardrobe choice — suggests a deliberate effort to blend personal affection with low-key star power rather than staging a high-gloss promotional campaign.
Reaction and context
Fans quickly responded with praise for Mendes’ aesthetic and for the couple’s ongoing solidarity. Observers noted that Mendes has occasionally referred to Gosling as her husband in past comments, fueling continued curiosity about the couple’s private life even as they work to shield their family from routine publicity. This Valentine’s Day post reinforces the image of a tight-knit family unit that chooses moments of public visibility carefully and with intent.
For now, the post stands as a neat illustration of modern celebrity: an intimate personal message that doubles as gentle promotion for a major upcoming release. With Project Hail Mary slated for March 20, 2026 (ET), expect to see more strategic, low-key alignments of personal and professional life as the film’s marketing rhythm builds toward opening weekend.
