Movie buffs are you ready for a wild ride? Bong Joon-ho the Oscar-winning director of Parasite is back with a brand new movie and it is out there. It's called Mickey 17 and it stars Robert Pattinson in not one but multiple roles. Think sci-fi satire dark humor and a whole lot of mind-bending concepts. Let's jump into what makes this movie so unique and if it is worth your trip to theaters.
Live Die Repeat and Repeat Again: Unpacking the Crazy Plot of Mickey 17
Mickey 17 is based on the novel Mickey7 and it throws us into the year 2054. Robert Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes a guy who is down on his luck and in debt to some serious loan sharks. To escape his troubles Mickey signs up for a super risky mission: colonizing a distant ice planet called Niflheim.
Now here is where things get really weird. Mickey volunteers to be the "expendable". Basically his job is to be the human guinea pig. He gets sent on dangerous missions to test if Niflheim is safe for humans even if it means dying over and over again.
And die he does. Whether it's radiation viruses or just plain bad luck Mickey meets some gruesome ends. But don't worry too much because when Mickey dies a new clone is printed up with all his memories intact. He is Mickey again ready to be sent back to work and probably die again. It is a pretty messed up job description right?
Robert Pattinson Times Seventeen? Pattinson's Inventive Performance(s) in Mickey 17
Robert Pattinson is known for taking on challenging and unusual roles and Mickey 17 seems right up his alley. He is not just playing one Mickey but many versions of Mickey Barnes. Critics are already praising his performance calling it inventive and adventurous.
Pattinson apparently has fun showing the subtle differences between each Mickey. While most versions are described as lovable goofballs at least one iteration goes completely off the rails and becomes unhinged. Sounds like Pattinson is really pushing his acting limits in this movie. Get ready to see a physical and vocal performance unlike anything you have seen from him before maybe even with a touch of Steve Buscemi vibe mixed in.
Bong Joon-ho's Dystopian Vision: Satire Class Struggle and Maybe a Little Hope?
If you know Bong Joon-ho's work you know to expect some heavy themes and social commentary mixed with genre fun. Mickey 17 is no exception. The movie tackles some big ideas like capitalism social inequality and what it means to be human in a world where even death is not permanent for some.
Bong's films often explore the dark side of society and Mickey 17 definitely seems to fit that pattern. Think about Snowpiercer's class rage or Parasite's take on economic divides. Mickey 17 seems to extend that to a futuristic space colony where humans are literally expendable resources.
But it is not all bleak. Some reviews hint that Mickey 17 might actually have a more hopeful ending compared to Bong's previous films. Apparently Mickey's journey leads him from self-hatred to finding his own worth and even sparking a revolution of sorts. Maybe even in a capitalist hellscape there is still room for optimism in a Bong Joon-ho movie. We will have to see it to believe it.
Star-Studded Cast and Over-the-Top Villains: Meet the World of Mickey 17
Besides Robert Pattinson Mickey 17 boasts a seriously impressive supporting cast. Steven Yeun plays Timo Mickey's frenemy and business partner. Naomi Ackie is Nasha a security agent and Mickey's love interest who sees him as more than just "expendable".
Then you have Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette as Kenneth and Ylfa Marshall the leaders of the colony. They are described as over-the-top villains with Kenneth being a failed politician reminiscent of a certain US president and Ylfa being strangely obsessed with sauce. Sounds like Bong is not holding back on the satire.
Reviews mention that Ruffalo and Collette seem to be having a blast playing these over-the-top bad guys. Expect some leering sneering and maybe some questionable leadership decisions from this duo.
Mixed Reviews and Box Office Expectations: Is Mickey 17 Set to be a Hit?
Early reviews for Mickey 17 are somewhat mixed. Some critics are calling it an "outlandish farce" and "bustling unwieldy contraption". Others praise Pattinson's performance and Bong's signature style but note it might be less subtle than his previous work. It sounds like Mickey 17 is definitely going to be a movie that sparks debate and different reactions.
Box office projections are currently suggesting a tepid start. Variety predicts an opening weekend of around $18-20 million domestically and $20-25 million internationally. With a production budget of $118 million the movie reportedly needs to make around $275-300 million worldwide to break even. It might need strong word-of-mouth and long legs to become a box office success.
However box office numbers are not always the whole story. Mickey 17 is a Bong Joon-ho film and that alone will draw a lot of attention and discussion. Even if it is not a massive blockbuster it is likely to be a movie that people will be talking about and analyzing for a long time.
Things to Know Before You Go: Mickey 17 - Key Facts at a Glance
- Director: Bong Joon-ho (Parasite Snowpiercer Okja)
- Starring: Robert Pattinson Steven Yeun Naomi Ackie Mark Ruffalo Toni Collette
- Plot: In 2054 Mickey Barnes is an "expendable" colonizing a dangerous ice planet Niflheim dying and being reborn repeatedly.
- Themes: Capitalism class struggle dystopian future hope self-worth.
- Genre: Sci-fi satire dark comedy action thriller.
- Robert Pattinson's Role: Plays multiple versions of Mickey Barnes.
- Villains: Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette as tyrannical colony leaders.
- Ending: Hints at a surprisingly hopeful conclusion for a Bong Joon-ho film.
- Post-Credits: No post-credits scene.
- Box Office: Projected to open moderately may need strong word-of-mouth to succeed.
Ready to be Expendable? Find Mickey 17 Showtimes and Get Your Tickets!
Mickey 17 is in theaters now. If you are looking for a movie that is thought-provoking visually stunning darkly funny and maybe even a little bit hopeful then this might be the film for you. It is definitely not your average Hollywood blockbuster. Check your local listings for Mickey 17 showtimes and get ready to experience Bong Joon-ho's latest cinematic creation. Just be prepared for a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll maybe even if there is no post-credits scene to wait for!