Mickey 17

Rating 6/10

I love a good cinematic dystopia—Metropolis, Blade Runner, Brazil—I could go on. Bong Joon-ho, fresh off the success of Parasite, has a knack for crafting visions of the future. Snowpiercer was one of my favorites of 2013. As such, Mickey 17 was my most eagerly awaited movie of 2025. In fact, it was my most anticipated picture of last year since it was initially scheduled for release on March 29, 2024. However, due to production challenges and industry strikes, the release was delayed several times. It finally hit theaters in the U.S. on March 7. While there’s a lot to appreciate, the work is a disappointment.

Mickey 17 starts off strong. Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) and his friend Timo (Steven Yeun) sign up for a space colonization mission to the distant ice planet Niflheim. Timo becomes a shuttle pilot, while Mickey is assigned the role of an “Expendable”—a crew member tasked with dangerous, lethal jobs. His disposable existence consists of dying repeatedly, only to be reprinted with his memories intact. The only person who shows kindness toward him is Natasha (Naomi Ackie), a security agent with whom he pursues a romantic interest.

Mickey has already died 16 times, so this marks the 17th iteration of our protagonist. The colony faces resistance from indigenous creatures nicknamed “creepers.” Mickey 17 is sent on an assignment to capture one. After falling into a fissure, he is presumed dead. However, the creepers appear benevolent as they return him unharmed. When he returns to his quarters, he discovers Mickey 18 has already been printed.  Robert Pattinson shines at portraying two distinct versions of the same person.  Mickey 17 is a more introspective individual, questioning his role and struggling with his identity. Meanwhile, Mickey 18 is angrier, more unpredictable, and more confident in who he is. There are two of them now—a problem since Colony Leader Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo) has a strict no-multiples rule.

This setup presents a fascinating identity crisis. I was fully on board with the concept. However, that’s all thrown out the window in the second half. It splinters into a cacophony of plot threads, none of which are afforded any depth. First off, there’s the pressing issue of colonialism, complicated by the indigenous species—giant, pill bug-like creatures the size of bison but with tentacles. That idea could have formed the basis of another movie, but little attention is given to it here.

Fame-hungry politician Kenneth Marshall and his wife Ylfa (Toni Collette) rule with a Trumpian grip. Yes, his followers even sport red hats! The nod to the current president of the United States was made well before the 2024 election. Mark Ruffalo imbues the man with the cartoonish exaggeration of an authoritarian. It’s not subtle. If his wealth-driven motivations to turn Nifelheim into a “pure white planet of superior beings” wasn’t enough, it’s further emphasized with religious exhortations that fall between a smarmy televangelist and a doomsday cult leader. The political satire is as nuanced as a Saturday Night Live skit.

Toni Collette fares better as a foodie with an unusual obsession with sauces. Her villainous take is a fun, more lighthearted performance. The glimmer of intellectual creativity feels unique.

There’s also the tension between Mickey 17, and his friend, Timo that hints at a deeper rivalry. Their inexplicable friendship remains vague and unexplored. Oh, and there’s also a love story with a female cop thrown in for good measure. That, too, is equally incomplete. Ultimately, none of Mickey’s relationships with the supporting characters resonate in any meaningful way.

Mickey 17 is based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, which Bong Joon-ho adapted and directed. Bong made significant changes to the story while trying to retain its core premise—a disposable worker who dies repeatedly on a colonization expedition. While Ashton’s novel leans more into hard sci-fi and dry humor, Bong’s version amplifies the mockery and visual spectacle.

Bong Joon-ho is a talenetd filmmaker. Mickey 17 carries traces of his brilliance. His ability to craft striking visuals that serve social allegories still manages to delight on a superficial level. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of narrative cohesion. Instead of the sharp sci-fi I expect, it degenerates into an overstuffed spectacle. There are too many underdeveloped ideas to land a meaningful punch. The saga never quite finds its footing after a strong setup. Robert Pattinson manages to bring depth to both of his dual roles.  It is ironic that in a movie about identity, Mickey 17 struggles to define its own.

03-07-24