Movie Review - Mickey 17

Director: Bong Joo Ho
Genre: Science Fiction/ Comedy/ Drama/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie
 
Description: During a human expedition to colonize space, Mickey 17 (Robert Pattinson), a so-called “expendable” employee, is send to explore an ice planet.
 
Review: South Korean filmmaker Bong Joo Ho follow up his masterpiece “Parasite” with lighter and less layered viewing material. “Mickey 17” is a science fiction comedy more in tune with “Okja” and contains similar satirical ingredients to “Snowpiercer”. However, the whole thing has nowhere near the drama of the latter film, or the emotional impact of “The host”. But no worry, “Micky 17” is highly entertaining popcorn cinema.

The new Bong Joon Ho seems like a blend between “Moon” by Duncan Jones and Paul Verhoeven’s “Starship Troopers”. The story came from the mind of American writer Edward Ashton. Protagonist is Mickey Barnes, a no to savvy guy who signed on to pursue the unappealing profession of Expendable. That means he is employable for the most dangerous jobs or experiments that are usually deadly. If Mickey dies, they just print a new version of, preserving memories.

When Mickey is sent to the ice planet Nifelheim with a crew of colonists led by Kenneth Marshall and his manipulative wife Ylfa, something goes wrong. Mickey, who is now on his seventeenth life, ends up in a rift and is written off. However, he manages to survive, returns to his base and collides with Mickey 18. This is a serious problem, as Multiples are not allowed to stay alive, by the rules of Marshall’s regime.

Bong’s critique of neofascism, which was also covered in “The Host” and “Snowpiercer”, takes on a more cartoonish approach here. The ultra-narcissist Kenneth Marshall, who seems like a parody mix of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, is the biggest example of that. Mark Ruffalo  really did a great job doing so (he is a well-know Trump-hater). Robert Pattinson is also very good as Mickey Barnes.

Bong has set the bar so high with all his past work that it becomes difficult to consider “Mickey 17” one of his great films. Well-made? Yes. Entertaining? Most definitely. Witty? For the most part. Interesting? Overall, yes. The film touches on topical themes and works them into an entertaining popcorn sci-fi adventure. But also buries them under superficiality and silly stuff. A fun film, but it’s not one for the books.  

Rating: 3,5/ 5