Alright movie fans you know Robert Pattinson right? From sparkly vampire to brooding Batman he always picks interesting roles. Well get ready for something totally different because he's teaming up with Bong Joon Ho the director of Parasite for a new movie called Mickey 17. And let me tell you it sounds absolutely bonkers in the best way possible.
Live Die Repeat and Clone: Decoding the Crazy Plot of Mickey 17
So Mickey 17 is set in the future like way future 2054 to be exact. Humans are trying to colonize this icy planet named Niflheim. Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes and Mickey has a pretty unique job title: Expendable. Basically he's the colony's human guinea pig.
Mickey's job is to go on super dangerous missions test out stuff that might kill you know just regular expendable things. Radiation viruses toxins you name it Mickey faces it. And when he dies? No biggie. They just print a new Mickey clone with all his memories good as new or Mickey 18 as they say.
Why would anyone sign up for this insane gig? Turns out Mickey owes some seriously bad people back on Earth a lot of money. Dying repeatedly in space seems like a better option than facing them. Yikes.
The movie kicks off with Mickey 17 already having died 16 times. He's our guide to this frozen planet and this crazy life. He's doing a scouting mission with a colleague Jennifer who sadly does not make it. Mickey being Mickey somehow survives. Later someone asks him what dying feels like and his answer is not exactly cheerful. "It's terrible dying. I hate it. No matter how many times I go through it it's scary still. Always. Every time." Heavy stuff right?
Pattinson Times Two (or More!): Robert Pattinson's Inventive Performance as Multiple Mickeys
One of the coolest things about Mickey 17 seems to be Robert Pattinson playing multiple versions of Mickey. These are not just identical clones. Apparently each Mickey is a bit different. Pattinson gets to showcase his acting chops playing with these variations. Some Mickeys are goofy and lovable others are well maybe a bit unhinged.
Critics are already praising Pattinson's performance calling it one of his most inventive. He brings a quirky physicality a bit of a Steve Buscemi vibe and a core of sadness to the role(s). It sounds like he is really having fun exploring these different facets of Mickey and it is going to be a trip to watch.
Bong Joon Ho's Sci-Fi Satire: Parasite Director Takes on Capitalism and More in Mickey 17
If you know Bong Joon Ho's movies you know they are never just one thing. Mickey 17 is no exception. While it looks like a wild sci-fi ride it also has deeper themes going on. Think social commentary satire and maybe a bit of anger simmering beneath the surface just like in Bong's other films like Parasite Snowpiercer and Okja.
Mickey 17 seems to be taking aim at capitalism and exploitation. This future colony is all about profit and resources. Humans are just workers and expendables are even more so. The movie hints at a bleak world where even human bodies are just seen as raw materials to be used and recycled. Heavy stuff but with Bong's signature dark humor woven throughout.
Star-Studded Cast: Yeun Ackie Ruffalo and Collette Join Pattinson in This Sci-Fi World
Pattinson is not alone in this crazy sci-fi world. Mickey 17 has a stacked supporting cast. Steven Yeun plays Timo a friend who might not be so friendly. Naomi Ackie is Nasha Mickey's girlfriend who seems to love all versions of him. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette play the over-the-top villains the tyrannical colony leader and his wife.
Apparently Ruffalo's performance as the leader is well not exactly subtle. Some critics are saying it is almost a caricature maybe even lampooning a certain US president. Whether that satire lands or not remains to be seen but it sounds like everyone is going big in this movie.
Box Office Expectations and Post-Credit Scene Scoop: Will Mickey 17 Be a Hit?
So is Mickey 17 going to be a box office smash? Early projections are well a bit mixed . Some predict it might open around $18-20 million domestically. Considering the budget was reportedly around $118 million it needs to do pretty well to break even. But who knows maybe positive word of mouth will help it gain momentum.
And for those of you who always wait till the very end of a movie for extra scenes good news and bad news. Mickey 17 does NOT have a post-credits scene . So you can head out when the credits roll. However the ending is apparently open enough that a sequel is possible especially if the movie does become a hit. Never say never right?
Mickey 17: Key Things to Know Before You Watch
- Starring: Robert Pattinson in multiple roles Steven Yeun Naomi Ackie Mark Ruffalo Toni Collette
- Directed by: Bong Joon Ho (Parasite Snowpiercer)
- Plot: Set in 2054 on an ice planet colony. Robert Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes an "Expendable" who dies and gets cloned repeatedly.
- Themes: Capitalism exploitation identity survival satire.
- Tone: Sci-fi comedy with dark humor and social commentary.
- No Post-Credit Scene: But sequel potential is there.
Get Ready for a Wild Ride: Mickey 17 Promises to Be Uniquely Bong Joon Ho and Uniquely Pattinson
Mickey 17 sounds like a movie that is going to be a lot to take in. It is ambitious funny dark maybe a bit messy but definitely unique. If you are a fan of Robert Pattinson pushing boundaries or Bong Joon Ho's genre-bending filmmaking this is definitely one to watch. Get ready to dive into the bizarre world of expendable clones ice planets and maybe a bit of satire that hits a little too close to home. It is going to be a trip!