Mickey 17 Movie Review – Cloning, Identity & Cosmic Absurdity (2025)

The Mickey 17 Movie Review dives deep into Bong Joon Ho’s ambitious 2025 adaptation of Mickey7, the novel by Edward Ashton. At its core, Mickey 17 probes what it means to live a life that expects you to die—then live again. Starring Robert Pattinson as its title character, this sci-fi black comedy combines absurdist humor, biting social commentary, and existential questions in a futuristic space-colony setting. With Bong writing, directing, and producing, the film offers lush visuals, weighty themes, and a narrative that challenges our assumptions about identity, mortality, and what makes a life meaningful. This full review breaks down the plot, cast & crew, thematic depth, strengths and weaknesses, and where Mickey 17 succeeds (and where it might fall short).

Mickey 17 Movie Review – Plot Overview

Set in 2054, Mickey 17 introduces us to Mickey Barnes, a man who signs up for a space colonization program as an “Expendable”—a designation for someone who does high-risk missions knowing they will die, only to be reprinted (a clone body created) with memories restored. Timo, his friend, also joins the expedition. Over time, Mickey is reprinted many times; the film focuses in particular on “Mickey 17” as he undertakes dangerous tasks on the ice planet Niflheim, where colonists are fighting environmental hazards, native pathogens, and strange alien lifeforms called “creepers.”

Romantic subplots (Mickey and security agent Nasha), political intrigue (Kenneth Marshall’s leadership, his wife Ylfa), and ethical tension arise: what happens when one “Expendable” survives, when multiple clones exist simultaneously, and how identity, agency, and duty shift. The plot balances large conceptual stakes (life, death, cloning, moral cost) with personal moments of character.

Cast & Crew – Who Brings It to Life

• Director / Writer / Producer: Bong Joon Ho — taking the helm in all these key roles, ensuring the film strongly reflects his artistic and thematic vision.
• Main Cast:
  • Robert Pattinson as Mickey / Mickey 17 (and the concept of reprints)
  • Naomi Ackie as Nasha
  • Steven Yeun as Timo
  • Toni Collette as Ylfa Marshall
  • Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall
• Technical Crew:
  • Cinematography by Darius Khondji
  • Editing by Yang Jin-mo
  • Music by Jung Jae-il

Themes, Style & Direction

Bong Joon Ho uses Mickey 17 to explore heavy themes—identity, mortality, value of a life, and what is sacrificed for the collective good. The clone (“Expendable”) premise forces us to ask: when you know you might die and be replaced, what does “you” even mean? The film also satirizes colonialism, exploitation, status hierarchies, and how corporate or political power treats the expendable.

Visually, Mickey 17 is rich: icy landscapes, futuristic labs, alien lifeforms (creepers), tech juxtaposed with isolation. Bong’s style blends dark humor and absurdity with sincerity. The tone shifts—from comic to tragic to philosophical—sometimes dramatically. This uneven tone is part of the film’s design, though it may also divide viewers.

Strengths & Weaknesses – What Works and What Doesn’t

What Works:

• Pattinson delivers a strong lead performance, effectively navigating the comedy, sadness, and existential dread of living many lives.
• The visual and creature-design (especially the creepers) are imaginative and often striking.
• Themes of identity, mortality, exploitation are thought-provoking, particularly in a modern context.
• The premise is original and the narrative ambitious.

What Doesn’t:

• The film’s pacing can drag—mid sections sometimes feel cluttered or overly complex with subplots.
• The tonal shifts (comic vs philosophical vs political satire) may not land for every viewer; some moments feel less balanced.
• Emotional payoff isn’t always consistent—some characters beyond Mickey and Nasha could have been more deeply developed.

Reception & Box Office

• Mickey 17 premiered at Leicester Square (London) on February 13, 2025, then Berlin, followed by releases in South Korea (Feb 28, 2025) and the United States (March 7, 2025).
• Budget: US$118 million. Gross: around US$133 million worldwide, which suggests modest profit, though likely not blockbuster returns given marketing costs.
• Critics’ response has been generally positive—Rotten Tomatoes and other outlets praise the film’s ambition, visuals, and Pattinson’s central performance, though some flag the uneven tone or stretched narrative.

Pros & Cons

Final Verdict – Should You Watch Mickey 17?

This Mickey 17 Movie Review finds that while the film is not perfect, it succeeds in being one of the more original sci-fi offerings in recent years. If you like your science fiction mixed with humor, ethical quandaries, and visual flair, Mickey 17 is worth seeing. But if you prefer tightly streamlined stories or even pacing, the film’s ambition might feel a little too grand.

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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