South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho – behind ‘Okja’, ‘Memories of Murder’ and Oscar recipient ‘Parasite’ – has dropped another film. ‘Mickey 17‘ – starring Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo – has finally reached theatres near us.
Based on the book ‘Mickey 7’, ‘Mickey 17’ builds on an exciting scientific fiction surrounding that is centred on alien species, cloning, a failed politician, capitalism and sacrifices. But to be honest, I yearned for a clearer picture at the end of this 2 h 17 m story.
Mickey 17: Understanding the plot
Like other Bong Joon Ho films, ‘Mickey 17’ explores class, politics and capitalism. The practice of cloning is the main hook of the story. The entire story centres on the infamous expendable program. Pattinson is one of the expendables, sadly.
The year is 2054, the setting is a spacecraft bound for planet Niflheim and the humans on it are desperate to escape the original planet that is likely to be destroyed. Mark Ruffalo plays Kenneth Marshall, a failed politician and the commander of the spaceship.
Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) – seeking a path to escape loan sharks on Earth – secured a seat on this spacecraft as he becomes an expendable. This means, in simpler terms, he is a guinea pig. Yes. He is experimented on and subjected to hostile surroundings.
But the main part is: Mickey can be ‘reprinted’ back as he dies – using a cloning technology that the film doesn’t elaborate much on. The story really picks up as Mickey 17 is born (or rather, printed). Things start to turn more chaotic as Mickey 18 comes in.
The problem is Mickey 18 has taken shape (albeit Mickey 17 is not dead). But this is not necessarily an entirely bad thing. Mickey 17 is meek and Mickey 18 is quite bold and bullying. This chaos, nonetheless, brings Pattinson’s acting capabilities into the picture.
Mickey 17: Bong Joon Ho makes a grand comeback
Aww Mickey's growing up
— IMAX (@IMAX) March 7, 2025#Mickey17 pic.twitter.com/fYYRPqgGHX
Bong Joon Ho has established himself as one of the most celebrated South Korean filmmakers. His releases rank as some of the country’s highest-grossing films. ‘Parasite’ grabbed South Korea’s first Oscar for Best Picture. Incredible!
Bong’s films span a broad range of genres, from dark comedy to action sci-fi. He has often demonstrated his knack for incorporating exceptional dark comedy into some of the most chilling stories, such as ‘Memories of Murder’.
But does he do that in ‘Mickey 17‘? The Robert Pattinson starrer, unfortunately, fails to highlight Bong’s signature brand of comedy. In some of his other films, humour did not become a problem as other key elements dominated.
Mickey 17: Robert Pattinson is in safe zone
Mickey's got a job to do. Get tickets now for #Mickey17 – only in theaters this Friday. https://t.co/vzT1ImWBD3 pic.twitter.com/UoF6IIr5v7
— Mickey 17 (@Mickey17Movie) March 4, 2025
One of the most ‘not in harmony’ qualities of Mickey 17 is its uninspiring interactions and tonal inconsistencies. Nonetheless, Robert Pattinson is in the safe zone. He ensures the right balance of clumsiness, goofiness and submission.
Considering the fact that Mickey Barnes has left Earth as an expendable – taking on an immensely draining job to escape a miserable, debt-ridden life – Pattinson has ensured the right amount of submission throughout the film.
Compared to Mickey 17, Mickey 18 is quite aggressive. But both of these characters are played by the same actor. Pattinson has done an outstanding job at leaving an impactful memory for all of us to come back to from time to time.
Mickey 17: Nasha and Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall
‘Mickey 17’ has a sci-fi setting. But Kenneth Marshall – played by Mark Ruffalo – appears to be inspired by some real-life politicians. His rhetoric and goals are also not unprecedented political ideologies in reality.
Ruffalo seems to be having a lot of fun in the role. I adored him in this unconventional scumbag role. Mickey 18 reprimands its predecessor for not standing up to Marshall, the autocratic politician and head of the space colonisation project he is part of.
There is another notable character to mention here. Nasha. Naomi Ackie plays the love interest of all the Mickeys. She is truly the breakout star in the film, constantly luring our attention. Nasha is indeed pretty fierce in ‘Mickey 17’.
Mickey 17: Things I liked and things that did not fit right
You’ll have to see it to believe it. Get tickets now for #Mickey17 – only in theaters March 7. https://t.co/vzT1ImX9sB pic.twitter.com/BOJJUTYwvR
— Mickey 17 (@Mickey17Movie) March 2, 2025
You can call ‘Mickey 17’ something based on class differences or dystopia. There is the ruthless politician angle there, too. But one thing is for sure. Bong Joon Ho seeks to pack it all into one single film – leading to some like me yearning for a clearer picture in the end.
Some conversations lack impact and some scenes lack lustre. For example, it appears Mickey Barnes has cheated on a question that engages most of the characters in this film. He cannot just use “painful”, right? You need to go through the film for this point.
Timo always wanted a friend who would die for him. Get tickets now for #Mickey17 – only in theaters tomorrow. https://t.co/vzT1ImX9sB pic.twitter.com/IAgqApSXSO
— Mickey 17 (@Mickey17Movie) March 6, 2025
Earlier seen in ‘Minari’, Steven Yeun felt underused as Timo, childhood buddy of Mickey. Considering the range Yeun has displayed before as an actor, his character in the Bong Joon Ho film does not carry the required impact.
Robert Pattinson is definitely the top scorer here. His character, or should I say characters as Mickey 18 has a completely different personality, highlights his acting capabilities to the maximum extent so far. It is fun to see him rule the big screens again.
Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, the ruthless politician and commander of the spaceship, is one of the best things director Bong has given us. He had a lot of fun in his role and so did the audience. His character can be annoying but notable.
Mickey 17: My honest opinion
‘Mickey 17’ certainly is not the finest creation from Bong Joon Ho, at least for me. His capability to seamlessly introduce dark comedy into chilling situations is top-notch. Nonetheless, ‘Mickey 17’ definitely brings attention to a number of underrated realities.
Capitalism and sacrifices are in the limelight. Thank you, Bong for highlighting these themes, again. Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo steal scenes, and Naomi as fierce Nasha is a gem. Yeun’s capabilities remain largely unused.
Mickey 17 ratings: 3/5
Mickey 17: Brief details
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Cast:
- Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes
- Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall
- Steven Yeun as Timo
- Naomi Ackie as Nasha Barridge
- Toni Collette
- Anamaria Vartolomei as Kai Katz
- Holliday Grainger as Gemma
- Thomas Turgoose as Bazooka
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