Mickey 17
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Directed By: Bong Joon Ho
Written By: Bong Joon Ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo
Rating: R for violent content, strong language, sexual content, and drug use
Runtime: 137 minutes
While some of the outlandish comedic attempts fall short of their targets, and certain structural issues negatively affect the pacing, the film thrives with its quirky atmosphere, solid themes, and an enthusiastic cast—led by Robert Pattinson in a remarkable dual role.
Adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film follows its titular character, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson)—a down-and-out individual in a near-future setting who faces dire circumstances. After an ill-fated attempt to open a macaron bakery with his dubious friend Timo (Steven Yeun) leaves him in heavy debt to some perilous figures, he sees only one chance at survival: escape the planet. Learning of a relocation mission spearheaded by a failed politician, Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), and his wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette), to colonize the frigid, distant world of Niflheim, Mickey agrees to join the mission as an expendable—though he is oblivious to what that truly means.
This challenge persists even after catching up with Mickey as he evades the Creepers and returns to the human colony. When Mickey 17 learns about the emergence of Mickey 18, another flashback sequence ensues that reveals the implications of duplicate existences and their dire consequences, which include execution. Again, the experience is never devoid of entertainment, providing a glimpse into what could be seen as futuristic true crime, but it significantly undermines the overall pacing of the film.
Once the narrative truly takes off, Mickey 17 becomes a joy.
Mickey 17 creates its own substantial hurdles to overcome, yet once it gains momentum, it is a true pleasure. The differing personalities of Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 (the former being meek and cautious, while the latter is brash and confrontational) introduce an additional layer of intrigue as they attempt to hide their identities as duplicates. However, their efforts draw them into a scenario that feels reminiscent of Bong Joon Ho’s Starship Troopers. Kenneth Marshall’s dictatorial mindset and media fixation characterize him as viewing the Creepers as lowly beings to be exterminated for proper colonization of Niflheim, yet the Mickeys and Nasha comprehend a crucial truth about this alien lifeform, and they strive to ensure that truth is acknowledged.
The satire is quite overt—but we must remember that this is from the same mind that brought us the brilliant Snowpiercer. While Mark Ruffalo tends to push a bit too hard on the accelerator, Toni Collette excels, waxing poetic about sauce as the apex of civilization. They both set the tone for the film’s intentional yet cold examination of class struggles, colonization, and modern fascism against a backdrop of working-class protagonists. It’s both macabre and humorous, with an underlying message worth noting.
Bong Joon Ho has crafted another whimsical and striking sci-fi universe.
Though the film stumbles in its exposition of its world, the execution of this world is extraordinary. The intricate production and costume design effectively juxtapose the lives of the affluent with those of the Niflheim colonists, while the technological concepts are both stunning and whimsical—from the sleek printer that fabricates new Mickeys (with amusing glitches during the process) to the cumbersome hard drives storing the consciousness of the expendables (a literal brick). Robert Pattinson’s dual performance is masterfully orchestrated, with commendable acknowledgment due for his dynamic portrayals of both Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, and the creature design of the Creepers finds a perfect balance between grotesque and endearing.
Despite its structural flaws, Mickey 17 may present challenges for some viewers trying to engage initially; however, it’s also the kind of film that will endure and improve in reputation due to its vibrant personality, Bong Joon Ho’s distinctive style, and its timely social commentary. Though it may not achieve the same level of excellence as Parasite, it still stands out as an exceptional film on its own merits.
