"Mickey 17"
Review
"Mickey 17," a science fiction black comedy film, premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2025. Directed, written, and produced by Bong Joon-ho, the movie is based on the 2022 novel "Mickey7" by Edward Ashton. It stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. The film is available in theaters and will be available for purchase or rent on digital HD platforms starting March 25, 2025, on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV.
Brief Synopsis
In the near future, Mickey Barnes, burdened by debt, signs up as an "Expendable" on a space colonization mission to the icy planet Niflheim. Expendables are essentially disposable workers who are cloned after each death, with their memories intact, to perform dangerous tasks. Mickey, after dying and being cloned multiple times, must navigate the harsh realities of his existence, while also trying to figure out his own identity and how he feels about his job.
Target Audience
This movie is tailored for fans of Bong Joon-ho's previous works, those who enjoy sci-fi with dark humor and social commentary, and those interested in Robert Pattinson's performance in unique roles. This film has an R rating due to violence, language, sexual content, and drug material making it geared more towards mature audiences.
Detailed Synopsis
Story & Themes
"Mickey 17" begins with Mickey Barnes, a man in debt, who is looking for a way out. Along with his friend, Timo, Mickey signs up for a space mission to colonize Niflheim as an expendable. Upon arrival on Niflheim, the mission gets rough. As an Expendable, Mickey's job is to complete all the dangerous missions, which in turn, causes him to die often. Each time he dies, a new clone of him is printed with his memories intact. The story explores the ethics of this expendable workforce and the questions around identity and individuality as Mickey has to co-exist with another clone. The film delves into themes of exploitation, the value of human life, and the dangers of unchecked authority, all while wrapped in a darkly comedic tone. The storyline is a critical take on society's indifference toward the less fortunate and the ruthless pursuit of resources.
Performances
The performances in Mickey 17 are a highlight, led by Robert Pattinson's standout portrayal of both the timid Mickey 17 and the aggressive Mickey 18, capturing the character's confusion, existential dread, and surprising humor. Naomi Ackie delivers a strong performance as Nasha, balancing toughness and empathy, while Steven Yeun brings a selfish edge to Mickey's friend, Timo. Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo shine as the villainous Marshalls, providing memorable comedic moments with their over-the-top portrayals.
Direction & Cinematography
Bong Joon-ho's direction is masterful, blending dark comedy with science fiction. He uses a visually striking style, with a focus on composition and camera angles to emphasize the isolation of the characters. Darius Khondji's cinematography contributes to the film's immersive and bleak atmosphere. The way they use lighting and color enhance the film's overall tone. Bong's meticulous planning using storyboards is evident, and yet, he allows for some improvisation from the actors to create a raw and real performance.
Visuals & Special Effects
Mickey 17 boasts impressive visual effects, particularly in the seamless interaction of multiple Mickey clones, the cloning process, and the depiction of Niflheim's harsh environment. The alien creatures are also uniquely and creepily designed. Technically, Jung Jae-il's haunting and engaging score adds emotional depth, while Yang Jin-mo's sharp, well-paced editing maintains a consistent flow. The sound design effectively establishes Niflheim's cold, isolating atmosphere.
Themes and Social Relevance
Social Messages: The film addresses class disparities, exploitation, and the dehumanization that can occur when people are viewed as expendable. It also makes a social commentary on the dangers of authoritarianism and blind political following. "Mickey 17" serves as a warning about the consequences of societal indifference and the misuse of technology.
Expert Commentary: Critics and industry insiders have noted that Bong Joon-ho uses "Mickey 17" to deliver a scathing political message. In an interview, Bong Joon-ho explains the reasoning behind changing the book title from "Mickey7" to "Mickey 17". He states that, "The story is a journey of Mickey recovering that self-respect and growing into someone who finds his own dignity". The numbers 17 and 18 have significance in human society, representing maturity and self-respect, which is part of the main character's journey.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Robert Pattinson's dual performances as Mickey 17 & 18.
Bong Joon-ho's unique blend of dark humor and social commentary.
Impressive visuals and special effects.
Strong performances from the entire cast.
Weaknesses
The film can feel like a collection of ideas, not fully exploring each one.
The film's satire may not resonate with all viewers, and some may find it too on-the-nose.
Some may find the plot uneven, with certain elements feeling underdeveloped.
The film is not necessarily a masterpiece, and some may feel it is not as great as Bong Joon-ho's prior works.
Unique Insights
Personal Experience: As someone who appreciates science fiction that tackles social issues, I found "Mickey 17" to be both thought-provoking and entertaining. The dark humor in the film, while sometimes uncomfortable, really hit the point of how ridiculous and harsh the world can be.
Author Expertise: Comparisons can be drawn between "Mickey 17" and Bong's previous works like "Snowpiercer" and "Okja," all of which explore themes of class struggle and societal injustice. This movie, however, uses a more direct and pointed political message, which makes it different from the others.
Audience Reactions
“ABSOLUTELY love this movie. Talked about it for hours with my friends afterwards deciphering all the metaphors, there’s been a lack in recent hollywood for films that truly make you think and reflect on reality, and the combination of humour, sci-fi, and harsh realism truly made an impact. I loved parasite and couldn’t wait to see this film by the same director even though I was skeptical of Robert Pattinson’s acting skills. However, he completely proved me wrong, the more I watched it the more I loved his performance and can’t wait for more challenging roles like this for him. Toni and Mark’s performance was also astonishing and I’ve seen nothing like it. Don’t understand all the hate towards this movie, I absolutely loved.” -Isabella Quintero
“Mickey 17 is a sharp, thought-provoking sci-fi film that blends dark humor with existential questions. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, it follows Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), an “Expendable” clone who repeatedly dies and is reborn while working on the frozen planet Niflheim. The film delivers a gripping exploration of identity and corporate exploitation, with Pattinson giving a standout dual performance. Visually stunning and emotionally rich, the story balances satire, tension, and humanity, making it more than just another space adventure. Bong’s direction keeps it engaging, and the supporting cast adds depth. It’s a rare blend of intelligent storytelling and blockbuster appeal—easily deserving of five stars.” - Eryn Yoo
“Such an enjoyable film I can't stand to give it less than 5 stars! It is not perfect, and there are plenty of valid complaints to be made, but it feels like it accomplished exactly what it set out to. It's a wonderful balance of dark comedy, exploration in sci fi, and thoughtfulness. It doesn't take a single moment too seriously, yet I still left the theater contemplating its themes. Robert Pattinson is an absolute treat to watch in this role and the rest of the cast completely nailed the energy of this movie. It'd be hard no to enjoy the time you spend watching this one, so if you're debating, watch it!!” - Sarah Hilburn
(Source: Google Reviews)
Verdict and Rating
"Mickey 17" is a compelling, if slightly uneven, addition to Bong Joon-ho's filmography. The audience will find "Mickey 17" visually impressive and strengthened by Robert Pattinson's brilliant dual acting work. The movie uses dark comedy together with social analysis for a sharp denouncement of exploitative systems and authoritarian control. The movie contains moments of disconnect but it provides an intellectual viewing experience that matches its distinctive approach despite not achieving the success of "Parasite." After the credits end the movie encourages viewers to ponder fundamental questions on human existence and personal identity as well as power-related consequences that emerge from unrestricted governance.
Rating: 3.5/5
FAQ Section
Q: Is "Mickey 17" similar to Bong Joon-ho’s other films?
A: Yes, it shares themes of class struggle and social injustice with his previous works like "Snowpiercer" and "Okja," but "Mickey 17" has a more overt political message.
Q: Is "Mickey 17" a comedy?
A: It's a black comedy, meaning it uses humor to explore dark and serious themes.
Q: What is the runtime for "Mickey 17"?
A: The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes (137 minutes).
Q: When will "Mickey 17" be available on demand?
A: "Mickey 17" will be available on digital HD platforms starting March 25, 2025.
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