We recently had the opportunity to attend the press screening of Mickey 17, the new Warner Warner Bros. Pictures film directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson.
What is Mickey 17 about?
The story follows Mickey 17, an “expendable” on a human expedition to colonize the hostile ice planet Niflheim. In this dystopian future, expendables are expendable employees used in high-risk missions. When one of them dies, his consciousness is transferred to a new cloned body with most of his memories intact, allowing him to continue his work without question.
However, something goes wrong. Mickey 17, instead of being eliminated and replaced, unexpectedly survives one of his missions and returns to the base, only to discover that a new version of himself, Mickey 18, has been created. This event triggers an existential dilemma that leads the protagonist to question his own identity and challenge the system that considers him a mere disposable replacement.
With this premise, Bong Joon-ho delivers a story that blends science fiction, psychological thriller, irreverent comedy and a touch of social criticism, building a tale that is both entertaining and deeply reflective.
Mickey 17 is a perfect blend of science fiction, thriller, irreverent comedy and crazy situations.
From its opening scenes, Mickey 17 establishes a tone that combines the tension of survival with sardonic humor that pokes fun at futuristic bureaucracy and the exploitation of workers. The film explores philosophical questions about the value of life, individual conscience and extreme capitalism, recurring themes in Bong Joon-ho’s filmography.
While the plot is reminiscent of classic sci-fi stories like The Moon (2009) or Blade Runner (1982), the execution and narrative approach make it feel fresh and original. The aesthetics of the film are impressive, with a production design that highlights the coldness and vastness of Niflheim, contrasting with the claustrophobic interiors of the space base where Mickey faces his identity crisis.
The screenplay, written by Bong Joon-ho himself and based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, strikes a balance between moments of psychological tension and sequences of absurdist humor reminiscent of the social satire of Parasites. At no point does the film feel monotonous, as each twist in the story keeps the viewer intrigued about Mickey’s fate and the truth behind his existence.
Robert Pattinson and his incredible transformation
One of the highlights of the film is undoubtedly Robert Pattinson’s performance. Playing multiple versions of Mickey with subtle but noticeable differences in personality, Pattinson demonstrates his acting versatility by giving each clone a unique identity. Throughout the story, we see how each iteration of Mickey undergoes changes in character, some more docile, some more rebellious and even some completely unhinged. This evolution makes it easy for the viewer to identify which Mickey is which, adding an extra layer of complexity to the plot.
Mark Ruffalo: a charismatic and absurd villain
Another great success of the film is the participation of Mark Ruffalo, who plays Hieronymous Marshall, the politician in charge of the expedition and a character that represents the decadence of humanity. Through Marshall, Bong Joon-ho shows us an authority figure who is both ridiculous and dangerous, delivering a performance that combines irony with black humor. His outlandish dialogues and situations generate unexpected comic moments, but at the same time reinforce the social criticism present in the film.
A thrilling journey full of twists and turns and reflections.
While the promotional trailers and synopsis give us an idea of what to expect from Mickey 17, the reality is that the film holds many surprises. Bong Joon-ho plays with the audience’s expectations, combining moments of action, existential drama, social satire and suspense, so that the story never loses its rhythm.
In addition to its philosophical message, the film offers visually stunning sequences, where special effects and production design contribute to create an atmosphere that reinforces the isolation and desperation of the protagonist. Each scene is carefully planned to immerse us in Mickey’s experience, making us feel both his anguish and his sense of humor at the absurdity of his situation.