Mickey 17 (2025) - Film Review

      Mickey 17, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Bong Joon Ho.

      Featuring Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Anamaria Vartolomei, Steven Yeun, Patsy Ferran, Steve Park, Tim Key, Holliday Grainger, Michael Monroe, Edward Davis, Cameron Britton, Ian Hanmore, Ellen Robertson, Rose Shalloo, Daniel Henshall, Angus Imrie, and Anna Mouglalis.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” worker, embarks on a human mission to colonize the icy planet Niflheim. After one version of him perishes, a new body is regenerated retaining most of his memories. However, during one regeneration, things take a disastrous turn.

      “What does it feel like to die?” This question is directed at expedition "expendable" crewmember Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), who has volunteered for the perilous task of handling dangerous missions that lead to his repeated deaths. He is then reconstructed on an operating table, his memories and personality transferred from digital archives, only to be sent out again whenever a catastrophic ship malfunction requires investigation or he needs to contract a virus repeatedly so scientists can study it for vaccine development.

      As Bong Joon Ho's work is known for its directness, Mickey 17 continues this trend, as the repeated questioning of someone in a low social position resonates with current real-world situations, such as government funding cuts affecting essential programs for the lower classes. Consequently, the question assumes a poignant relevance that the Oscar-winning director of Parasite probably did not intend, especially considering the film features a failed election-loser resembling Trump who seeks to instigate his corrupt practices after the colonization of the ice world Niflheim.

      Bong Joon Ho seemingly anticipated Trump losing in the 2024 election, which raises the argument that this film is slightly outdated, though this observation does not detract from its quality. Following various delays from Warner Bros., partially due to quality concerns and partly because CEO David Zaslav likely hesitated at the thought of releasing a high-budget film that satirically targets Trump with its exaggerated villain, Mickey 17 is hitting theaters at a time when audiences would consider themselves fortunate to remain oblivious to the feeling of gradual demise.

      However, timely themes and a few genuine laughs do not solely make a film impactful, as Mickey 17 is also a cumbersome collection of Bong Joon Ho's favored ideas, addressing everything from labor exploitation to animal rights and one-location transportation scenarios. Based on Edward Ashton’s recent novel, the plot, as noted earlier, revolves around Mickey Barnes, an ill-fated character who unintentionally caused his mother’s death as a child and is now financially destitute, struggling to pay off a loan shark while investing in his quirky friend Timo’s (Steven Yeun) foolish business project.

      At his lowest, he enlists for the Niflheim expedition as an "expendable," where he experiences constant humiliation from his peers (including scientists who sometimes forget to connect his operating table to the reprinting machine, comically dumping him onto the floor) except for soldier Nasha, portrayed by Naomi Ackie. They form an instant connection and develop romantic feelings, confusing Mickey, who wonders what makes him appealing. The film offers little clarity beyond his attractiveness, accentuated by Robert Pattinson’s performance. This simplistically reduces Nasha’s role to that of a generic love interest until a more active presence materializes in the final act, delivering a satisfying turn.

      In his 17th life, Mickey encounters a cave filled with creatures reminiscent of smaller, snowy variants of Dune's sandworms. Abandoned by his unreliable friend Timo (who dismisses Mickey's peril because he'll be reprinted again), Mickey’s luck improves, enabling him to survive and return to the ship. The catch is that Mickey 18 has already been created, and if discovered as living duplicates, they face execution by the Trump-like Kenneth Marshall, played by Mark Ruffalo.

      Mickey 18 possesses a wildly different self-perception compared to Mickey 17; he is assertive and rebellious, keen to dismantle the corrupt hierarchy aboard the ship, and more carefree, indulging in a pure, unfiltered drug while with Nasha, who appreciates every version of him. There appear to be deeper dynamics to explore, particularly as another crew member develops feelings for one of the Mickeys, but this subplot feels insufficiently developed. Additionally, the transformation in personalities is perplexing; if defining traits are preserved and transferred with each new copy, the drastic personality shifts seem illogical.

      Robert Pattinson anchors the film, immersing himself in the clumsy humor of Mickey 17, infusing that character with a unique, screechy gremlin voice that matches his eccentric nature. In contrast, Mickey