Review: 'Mickey 17' is a sci-fi thriller that’s as hilarious as it is haunting

What happens when you take the mind of Bong Joon-ho, add the dark humor of a dystopian nightmare, and mix in a double dose of Robert Pattinson? You get Mickey 17—a sci-fi extravaganza that is as unsettling as it is wildly entertaining. The mastermind behind Parasite and Snowpiercer delivers yet another thought-provoking film that bends genres, making you laugh, gasp, and think all at once.

A Plot That’s as Wild as It Is Clever

Set in the year 2054, the film follows Mickey Barnes (Pattinson), a broke, down-on-his-luck man who escapes his troubles on Earth by signing up as an “expendable” on a space colonization mission. What’s an expendable? Simply put, it’s a job where you die repeatedly. Every time Mickey perishes on the frozen planet Niflheim, a machine prints a new version of him, complete with all his previous memories. It’s an endless loop of death, rebirth, and suffering. But here’s the catch: when Mickey 17 survives a mission he was supposed to die in, he returns to find Mickey 18 already printed and walking around. Two clones can’t exist at the same time, and suddenly, his survival becomes a ticking time bomb.

With this premise, Bong Joon-ho dives deep into existential crises, capitalism, and the expendability of the working class. And he does it all with razor-sharp satire, balancing absurdity and darkness in a way that only he can.

The Genius of Bong Joon-ho’s Direction

Bong Joon-ho has never been a filmmaker who sticks to conventions, and Mickey 17 proves that yet again. His ability to take deeply human emotions and wrap them in outlandish sci-fi settings is what makes him a true auteur. The film is filled with eerie silences, sharp comedic timing, and visuals that make you feel like you’re right there on the ice planet. Every frame serves a purpose, from claustrophobic spaceship corridors to the blinding white wilderness of Niflheim.

It’s fascinating how Bong manages to create a world that feels both futuristic and completely relevant to today. The way he weaves in themes of corporate greed, political manipulation, and the loss of individuality makes Mickey 17 feel like a reflection of our times, just with more clones and aliens.

A Performance That’s Twice as Good

Robert Pattinson continues his streak of choosing bold, weird, and challenging roles, and here, he’s at his absolute best. Playing two versions of Mickey, he brings a duality to the character that is mesmerizing. Mickey 17 is exhausted, cynical, and constantly teetering on the edge of giving up, while Mickey 18 is aggressive, impulsive, and more willing to fight back. Pattinson ensures that both versions feel distinct, making it easy to differentiate between them without the need for obvious visual cues.

The supporting cast is just as strong. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette, playing the mission’s manipulative leaders, are deliciously sinister. Their dynamic as the puppet and puppeteer of the mission’s politics adds a disturbing yet comical layer to the film. Naomi Ackie, as Nasha, is both Mickey’s love interest and his moral compass, bringing warmth to a film that otherwise revels in its bleakness.

Sci-Fi with a Heart (and a Wicked Sense of Humor)

At its core, Mickey 17 is about identity and survival. What does it mean to be human when you can be replaced at any moment? How much suffering are people willing to normalize in the name of progress? Bong Joon-ho doesn’t just ask these questions; he throws them at you with a grin, daring you to laugh at the absurdity of it all. The film finds humor in the darkest places, whether it’s through the grotesque ways Mickey keeps dying or the casual way his fellow crew members treat his endless suffering as just another Tuesday.

But despite the satirical edge, the film also has a surprising amount of heart. The romance between Mickey and Nasha adds an emotional anchor, showing that even in the most bizarre of circumstances, love and connection still matter. It’s a delicate balance, but Bong manages to pull it off without ever making it feel forced.

Cinematic Brilliance and Jaw-Dropping Visuals

Visually, Mickey 17 is a treat. The cinematography is both stark and hypnotic, capturing the icy landscapes of Niflheim in breathtaking detail. The alien inhabitants of the planet, dubbed the “creepers,” are not just mindless creatures; they have depth and intelligence, and their design is unlike anything we’ve seen in sci-fi before. The film’s camera work is meticulous, shifting between wide shots that emphasize the vast emptiness of space and close-ups that capture every twitch of emotion on Pattinson’s face.

The action sequences are kinetic and unpredictable, never relying on mindless explosions but instead using clever choreography and sharp editing to keep the tension high. The use of practical effects blended with CGI makes everything feel tangible, immersing the audience fully into Bong’s vision.

The Verdict

What makes Mickey 17 so ahead of its time is its ability to be relevant in any era. The film speaks to the way corporations exploit workers, how politics manipulates public perception, and the ethical dilemmas of scientific advancements. It doesn’t just function as a sci-fi thriller; it’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a spectacle. Bong Joon-ho ensures that even amidst the alien landscapes and cloning technology, the core of the story remains deeply human.

Mickey 17 is a bold, twisted, and wildly entertaining sci-fi film that proves Bong Joon-ho is still at the top of his game. It’s darkly hilarious, visually stunning, and filled with rich performances, especially from Robert Pattinson. The film’s satirical take on capitalism, politics, and human expendability is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Bong Joon-ho has done it again, proving that no matter the genre, his storytelling genius remains unparalleled.

Rating

**** (4/5) stars