Thus, Bong Joon-ho, the mastermind of “Parasite,” returns with “Mickey 17,” and trust me, it is a wild ride. This science fiction dark comedy features Robert Pattinson, who totally owns it in a two-part role. The movie takes on serious subject matter such as morality, identity, and ethics of human sacrifice in a future world. Does it measure up to Bong Joon-ho’s other masterpieces? Let’s take a look.
Rating: (3.5/5)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Mickey 17 |
| Director | Bong Joon-ho |
| Based On | Mickey7 by Edward Ashton |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy, Thriller |
| Lead Actor | Robert Pattinson |
| Supporting Cast | Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie |
| Release Date | March 29, 2024 |
| Runtime | Approx. 2 hours |
A Sci-Fi Setup with a Bong Joon-ho Spin
“Mickey17” is an adaptation of Edward Ashton’s book “Mickey7” and tells the tale of Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” who is sent to a space colony on a newly discovered planet. His task? Die and be replaced by a clone with all his memories. Mickey has already done this 16 times when an accident leaves two Mickeys—Mickey17 and Mickey 18—resulting in a crisis of morality and existence.
Bong Joon-ho, who is known for his social commentary, employs this premise to comment on labor exploitation, identity, and individuality. The sci-fi world, while grandiose, feels realistic and uncomfortably familiar.
Robert Pattinson Shines in a Dual Role
Robert Pattinson’s acting is perhaps the greatest delight of the movie. He’s far removed from his “Twilight” heyday and shows his mettle in movies like “The Lighthouse,” “Tenet,” and “The Batman.” He plays a game of doubles by portraying two personas of the same individual—Mickey17 and Mickey 18—and hits it out of the park.
What is interesting is how effortlessly he distinguishes between the two. Mickey17 is tired but optimistic, whereas Mickey 18 is tough and suspicious. Their encounters are natural, courtesy of Bong Joon-ho’s direction, once again plunging us into this strange yet interesting world.
The Dark Comedy Element: Surprising but Effective
“Mickey 17” is more of a comedy, particularly in its satirical commentary on corporate greed and colonization. The artificiality of Mickey’s occupation—dying repeatedly—gives rise to some darkly comedic, cynically amusing moments. It’s a mix of existential horror and humor that’s both compelling and quite unwholesome.
World-Building and Visual Aesthetics
Bong Joon-ho is a master of building immersive worlds, and “Mickey 17” is no different. The space colony isn’t your usual clean, utopian world. It’s dirty and industrialized, where survival is more important than luxury. The production design helps to build the realism, and you feel like you’re actually living in this dystopian future.
The cinematography by Darius Khondji makes the atmosphere of the film even better, with cold metal colors and colorful flashes to highlight life versus death, identity versus redundancy.
Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette’s Over-the-Top Performances
Although “Mickey 17” is generally well-balanced, there are some performances that feel over-the-top. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette are high-ranking officials in the colony, and their characters are obviously intended to be satirical caricatures. Ruffalo’s performance is based on real-world political leaders, but it sometimes feels like an SNL sketch.
Their over-the-top quality is beneficial to the film’s allegorical themes, but it might not appeal to all. Some may find it jarring in contrast to the otherwise realistic performances.
Recommended: Oscars 2025: Complete Winners List and Highlights from the 97th Academy Awards
The Good and Bad of Mickey 17
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| Robert Pattinson’s Dual Role: Come on, he nails it. Mickey and Mickey 18 are interesting and unique characters, and Pattinson’s performance is excellent. | Over-the-Top Side Characters: While entertaining, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette’s performances may feel a bit exaggerated. |
| Dark Comedy Works: The existential horror and humor balance is perfect. It’s interesting without being too intense. | Less Symbolism Compared to Parasite: It’s more straightforward in its themes, which might be a letdown for some. |
| Strong World-Building: The industrial-style, gritty space colony is realistic and immersive. | Not for Everyone: The blend of sci-fi and dark humor might not appeal to those looking for a traditional space thriller. |
| Bong Joon-ho’s Signature Storytelling: The blend of sci-fi, satire, and social commentary is a hit. | Predictable in Some Areas: Some story beats feel familiar within the sci-fi genre. |
| Clever Social Commentary: Identity, expendability, and corporate control are tackled in a way that resonates. | No Major Plot Surprises: In contrast to Parasite, there is no mid-point surprise twist. |
Parasite comparisons: Is There as Much to Unpack?
Bong Joon-ho has a reputation for making films that are layered in meaning. “Parasite” had people arguing about its symbolism for months. “Mickey 17,” though also thought-provoking, lays out its themes in a more straightforward manner. The commentary on disposable labor and identity is there, with not much room for misinterpretation.
That’s not always a bad thing. Not all movies must be analyzed for underlying meanings. “Mickey 17” manages to present an interesting story without needing too much analysis. But fans of the complex symbolism of “Parasite” may find “Mickey 17” less complex.
Final Verdict: A Unique and Engaging Sci-Fi Film
“Mickey 17” will not outdo “Parasite” in terms of cultural relevance, but it’s a welcome addition to the filmography of Bong Joon-ho. It brings something new to the sci-fi genre by infusing it with humor, existential terror, and social commentary, which is a unique trademark of his.
Robert Pattinson’s acting is captivating, the world-building is rich, and the dark humor keeps the mood interesting. Although some of the characters are cartoonish and the themes are more on the nose than in “Parasite,” “Mickey 17” is one of the more cerebral sci-fi movies in recent memory.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
FAQs
Is Mickey 17 based on a book?
Yes, it’s based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” although there are some modifications.
Why did they name the movie Mickey 17 and not Mickey7?
The movie takes place in a later version of Mickey, perhaps to create the sense that the story is more dramatic. Why the change of title hasn’t been made clear.
Is Mickey 17 similar to Bong Joon-ho’s past work?
It retains his distinctive storytelling style but incorporates more sci-fi and dark comedy.
Is Robert Pattinson’s double role convincing?
Yes! Pattinson’s acting makes it simple to forget that he is playing Mickey 17 and Mickey 18.
Is Mickey 17 worth watching?
If you like sci-fi movies with richer themes and a dash of dark humor, “Mickey 17” is well worth your time.
