Mickey 17 review: Completely insane

If you happen to’re planning on watching Mickey 17 since you adored 2019’s Parasite, Bong Joon-ho’s groundbreaking Oscar winner, then let or not it’s identified that this movie is very completely different, to say the least.

The Korean director returns to his science fiction roots of The Host, Snowpiercer and Okja with this epic, which is licensed bonkers. It’s set in area, the place mankind is making an attempt to colonise a frozen planet referred to as Niflheim as folks try to flee Earth. With a view to transfer to the brand new house, scientists want a take a look at topic to check out the environment and guarantee it’s protected for everybody else.  

Enter socially awkward Mickey, who indicators up for the position of an expendable – a being who can basically be killed (in varied horrific methods) earlier than being ‘reprinted’ – introduced again to life with recollections intact.  

Whereas some critics are declaring it a masterpiece, I got here out of my screening barely baffled… as a result of this movie is made up of two promising tales, haphazardly stitched collectively.  

However let’s begin with the positives. Any movie that revolves round reanimating a dork, and includes alien planets requires some critical particular results, and Mickey 17 delivers. At no level was I taken out of the world because of a bizarre CGI second – true craftsmanship is at work right here. 

Bong Joon-ho makes some daring decisions for this movie, taking part in round with construction and musical motifs that take you without warning. Regardless of the dystopian topic at its core, it is a genuinely humorous movie that made me chuckle in some surprising locations, a typical theme in his work.  

The performances in Mickey 17 are exceptionally dedicated, with Robert Pattinson standing out above all. His stilted, nasally tone is virtually unrecognisable from any position he’s performed earlier than.  

Mickey is the largest people-pleasing pushover you’ve ever met (much more than me, shockingly), taking horrific experiments and invasive questions with nothing greater than a thumbs-up and a shrug of the shoulders. Pattinson captures his pitiful nature splendidly, including a touch of madness that might be current for anybody prepared to die repeatedly within the title of an organization. 

He’s complimented by the – additionally barely unhinged – Nasha, performed by Naomi Ackie. Her introduction scene stands out, charming Mickey and profitable the viewers over, even with the dialogue absent in favour of the rating. However I really feel that her nuanced persona might have been explored additional. Extra on that later.  

Most individuals who watch Mickey 17 will keep in mind Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, a petty, simple-minded and ego-driven politician who’s the important thing antagonist. That’s primarily right down to his grating voice, blindingly white shark-like enamel and outlandish mannerisms, that are very a lot impressed by Trump, as confirmed by the actor himself.  

Gwen Marshall, performed by Toni Collette, is the true brains, fairly actually whispering in his ear and telling him what steps to take subsequent when somebody throws him a curveball. The husband-and-wife duo are splendidly detestable as villains.  

Due to the kind of narcissistic character Marhsall is, he takes over many of the scenes he’s in… and that additionally applies to the core story itself.  

Picture: © 2025 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I assumed Mickey 17 was going to go in a unique route from the way in which it turned out, as essentially the most attention-grabbing half is the idea of ‘multiples’ – in different phrases, when copies of 1 particular person are alive on the similar time.  

We get to see a few of the ethical quandaries that plagued governments over a number of variations of 1 particular person. Do they each have a soul? Who’s accountable if against the law is dedicated? Does one need to reside greater than the opposite? 

When multiples lastly get to fulfill on-screen, there’s a gripping rigidity that’s insanely advanced. We see persona clashes between the 2 beings, with one anger-fuelled model resenting the opposite weaker, extra passive self. 

There’s additionally the query of affection. How can a romantic relationship operate if two copies of the identical particular person exist and have the identical wishes? We get a style of a technique it’d play out, in a really awkward style – a warning for those who’re planning on seeing this movie along with your mother and father/offspring.  

Sadly, earlier than we will delve into these meaty matters, the movie modifications tack – specializing in political parallels and invasion. Whereas the multiples are nonetheless current within the story, they largely serve to drive negotiations and motion. We don’t attain a satisfying conclusion for these beings. 

That is the place the movie leans into its alien setting, and I can’t simply assist however really feel that, whereas we spent plenty of time with adventurous photographs of Niflheim and its inhabitants, we might have as a substitute been constructing extra on the intriguing dynamic between Mickey and Nasha, a dynamic that was so robust within the former a part of the film.  

Some followers might disagree, loving the mishmash of ideas and concepts – particularly for those who’ve learn the unique Mickey7 guide by Ashton Edward. However for those who’re a sucker for character-driven tales like me, and don’t have time to learn the supply materials, chances are you’ll discover the tempo of Mickey 17 jarring and be left wishing for extra.  

Picture: © 2025 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Must you watch Mickey 17? 

There is no such thing as a doubt that Mickey 17 will definitely stick to you, with its bananas premise that strikes a stable steadiness between bleak and chaotically humorous. Robert Pattinson but once more proves his versatility, taking up a wildly troublesome position with an unbelievable stage of depth. 

Like Companion, this movie displays a few of the horrors we’re going through in the true world in a weird sci-fi package deal. Nonetheless, in taking up such formidable storytelling, it looks like two tales mashed into one. It’s not the identical masterful tempo seen in Parasite.  

Maybe there’s a world the place this might have felt extra cohesive as a TV collection… however you must choose that for your self.  

Mickey 17 is out in cinemas this Friday, 7 March 2025. If you happen to’re within the UK, you will get tickets from Cineworld, Vue and Odeon. These in America can get them from AMC Theatres, Fandango and Atom Tickets.