Mickey 17: Death, Duplicates, and Space Drama – What Could Go Wrong?

Mickey 17," directed by Bong Joon Ho, is a darkly comedic sci-fi satire starring Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, an "expendable" crew member on a space colonization mission. Tasked with deadly assignments, Mickey is repeatedly killed and reprinted with his memories intact, raising profound questions about identity, human worth, and exploitation.

As Mickey endures the brutal cycle of death and rebirth, he eventually encounters an unexpected complication—his own duplicate, Mickey 18. Together, they must challenge the expedition’s coldly ruthless leader, Kenneth Marshall, and his manipulative wife.

Critics have praised Pattinson’s nuanced performance in portraying multiple versions of Mickey, while Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette add to the film’s surreal, satirical edge. Drawing thematic parallels to Bong’s previous works, such as Snowpiercer and Parasite, Mickey 17 tackles classism, political power, and social hierarchy with biting wit. While some reviewers applaud its bold vision and thought-provoking themes, others critique its pacing and narrative focus. Regardless, Mickey 17 stands as a unique and daring addition to Bong Joon Ho’s filmography.