Mickey 17, 2025
Robert Pattinson does a phenomenal job portraying Mickey 18, Mickey 17, and Mickey 16, all the way back to his original character, in the unique new science fiction/romance film Mickey 17, based on the 2022 book by Edward Ashton. With an isolated plot focused on identity struggles and defining what it means to be yourself, director Bong Joon-ho excels with great audio work, cinematography, and soundtrack.
The story is set in the near future, where Earthβs resources are dwindling due to pollution. Former politician Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo) decides to help fund an off-world voyage to start a colony on the planet Niflheim with the help of his sauce-making-obsessed wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette). Mickey Barnes and his friend Timo (Steven Yeun) decide to join this expedition to outrun a bloodthirsty loan shark who seeks to murder them because of their inability to pay him back. Mickey signs up for the voyage as an expendable. These expendables have their memories backed up, and whenever they die serving the colony, they are reprinted as a new model with all the same physical attributes and memories.
After the colony leaves, we see Mickey adopt a girlfriend, Nasha Barridge (Naomi Ackie), and they spend much time together as they pass the tough years of limited food, companionship, and activities. Mickey is continually experimented on and used for dangerous missions, dying many times. When they finally reach Niflheim, Mickey runs into some local inhabitants, lovingly named βcreepersβ by Kenneth. The creepers save Mickey 17, but the colony believes him dead and decides to print Mickey 18. Chaos. chaos ensues from there.
The Mickeys struggle with their identitiesβone being more dominant, the other relaxed; one being violent, the other more diplomatic. The film continues, focusing on how we can deal with and compromise with our contradicting inner selves, represented by the Mickeys. Rounded off by a climactic standoff/battle between creepers and humans and an ethical discussion about expendables, the film is a great thought provoker, unlike anything I have seen before.
Many have criticized the film for its heavy exposition. Others praise this, stating it leads to great world-building. I concur with the former but understand the latter. Strengthened by Pattinsonβs acting, stunning visuals, and straightforward moments of satire, the film does a good job of taking jabs at the current political climate while also maintaining its somewhat futuristic vibe. Mickey 17 was a great watch, and if you are at all interested, I would encourage you to see it.