Mickey 17: A review of Bong Joon-ho's trippy sci-fi that will break your brain (In a good way)

Mickey 17 is Bong Joon-ho at his brainiest, strangest and most darkly comic. If you’ve ever wondered what if Blade Runner, Snowpiercer and Groundhog Day had a baby and raised it on existential dread, then there you go.

This is not your standard sci-fi action fare — it’s a slow-burn, thought-provoking mind-bender that toys with questions of identity, capitalism and the chilling notion that, yes you might actually be replaceable.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this film review are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of any production company, distributor or individuals associated with this film. This review is based on personal interpretation and is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Readers are invited to see the film and make up their own minds. And of course, viewer's discretion is advisable.

Starring Robert Pattinson in a more existentially fatigued, deadpan witted role (which, let’s face it, has sort of become his thing) than anyone wanted, Mickey 17 does the expendable human thing as literally as possible.

But while the movie captivates with ideas and visual make-over, it also takes its sweet time unfurling them — sometimes a little too long. The result? A film that makes you stop in your tracks long after the credits have rolled.

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A premise that seems like a sci-fi thought experiment

Derived from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the plot plunges us into the frozen, corporation-controlled colony of Niflheim, where survival isn’t just difficult; it’s almost impossible. That’s Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) comes in, a man with perhaps the worst job in the universe; he’s an “Expendable.”

What that means is that when there’s a job too dangerous for a normal worker, he’s the one they send to die. But no worries! Every single time he dies the colony just grows him a brand new body and brings back all his memories.

It’s a good system even though it breaks down sometimes. One day, Mickey 17 comes in from a mission and finds that Mickey 18 is already good to go.

The reason for nothing being quite as spooky as a clone wandering around, lies in the fact that the mistake in the cloning process soon leads Mickey to start pondering his own identity, his function in the corporation, and whether or not he is indeed human.

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Robert Pattinson vs. Himself (and Corporate Bureaucracy)

Pattinson has wholly welcomed the out of the box choices he has made in his career recently, and Mickey 17 is another one in the same style. His approach to Mickey is as much grim as it is harrowing, a man who acknowledges his position as a small part in the system but is not yet ready to embrace it fully.

The entire scene is fueled by his humorous performance—Mickey’s surrender to his fate has him do some downright hilarious things—while also, there is a lurking feeling of real existential terror.

Even though the rest of the support cast brings substantial weight to the story, a few of the characters still don’t get enough screen time. Mark Ruffalo portrays the gruff, no-nonsense administrator of the colony, a man who is most certainly not about to lose time to the two Mickeys who are busy with the existential questions.

Steven Yeun, who is a fellow colonist, adds an air of forced friendship, and Toni Collette, as a corporate officer, adds some mystery as she seems to be withholding information.

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A visually stunning, tonally offbeat sci-fi puzzle

Bong Joon-ho is a master of the visual language, and this film is another of his brilliant works. The visuals of the desolate, icy landscapes of Niflheim, which are in sharp contrast with the cold, sterile, and fluorescent colony's interiors, are some of the most outstanding works of the film.

The entire film has an eerie, slightly off-kilter atmosphere—one where everything looks normal, but something always feels a little off. That same tonal unease seeps into the storytelling.

This is not a bold thriller, nor is it a typical sci-fi drama. Rather, it alternates between existential horror, corporate satire, and a very dark comedy of the deadpan. There are moments that are genuinely unsettling—like watching a past version of yourself be discarded like a piece of trash—and others that are just absurdly funny.

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Smart, thought-provoking… but a bit distant

Mickey 17 is a thought-provoking film with high aspirations. It examines the themes of identity, free will, and what it means to be replaceable in a system that values efficiency over humanity. The movie has a lot to say about labor, capitalism, and the way corporations view workers as expendables.

However, there is a problem with the adaptation. The film is something that stirs us up inside, but one always has to be alert not to think that all the films he makes do the same. Whether it is Parasite, Memories of Murder, or The Host, all have the power to move you in their unique ways.

In contrast, Mickey 17 seems more like it is walking next to you but never actually coming close. It’s a film that wishes to make you think more than make you feel, but it still doesn’t have to be a bad thing, maybe some audiences will find it a bit cold.

Pacing could also be an issue, particularly in the middle section where the film goes on and on about philosophical themes of existence and morality. If you enjoy slow-burning, philosophical sci-fi such as Blade Runner 2049, then this will surely meet your expectations. But if the tights and fast-paced style of Snowpiercer are what you were waiting for, you will be looking at your watch.

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Final verdict on Mickey 17 : A sci-fi puzzle worth the effort (but not for everyone)

An evocative and cerebral piece of sci-fi art, Mickey 17 is, that raises more questions than it can possibly answer. Moreover, it is a feast for your eyes to be watching this movie, which equally carries a meaningful message and is painted by Bong Joon-ho using dark humor.

However, it is also a film, that requires patience, and therefore, it is not an action-packed space thriller, and it is not made for that. Instead, it is a slow-burn push into one's inner mind's corridor, his audiovisual inner-hall of questions, and the dawn of what could be the world of humans, from now on to forever being no more than the sum of their parts.

Would I recommend it? Definitely, for the right kind of spectators, yes. Discover inspiring sci-fi that compels you to question reality (Annihilation, Arrival, 2001: A Space Odyssey) and you will know the reason why it is a must-watch item in your list. However, if you’re in search of something with a faster pace or that’s emotionally gripping, you might not really vibe with Mickey 17.

So, let us know if you do watch it. And if you already have, then let us know in the comments, what you thought, made this film stand apart.