Sure! Here’s an original, detailed review of Mickey 17 — no plagiarism, just a thoughtful take on the film:
Movie Review: Mickey 17 (2025)
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo
Rating: 4.5/5
When Bong Joon-ho makes a movie, it’s not just cinema—it’s an event. After the Oscar-sweeping Parasite, expectations were sky-high for his next project. Mickey 17, an adaptation of Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, doesn’t just meet those expectations—it subverts and redefines them.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers):
Set in a far-future dystopia, Mickey 17 follows Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), an “Expendable” on an ice planet called Niflheim. In this harsh colony, Expendables are disposable workers sent on suicide missions—because when they die, they’re simply regenerated into new bodies with their memories intact. That is, until Mickey’s latest clone wakes up while the previous one is still alive, leading to a mind-bending, existential crisis that throws the colony—and Mickey’s own identity—into chaos.
Performances:
Robert Pattinson gives a mesmerizing performance. Playing two versions of the same character (sometimes in the same scene), Pattinson channels both dry sarcasm and emotional vulnerability with effortless range. He’s both the comic relief and the emotional core of the film.
Steven Yeun brings gravitas and intensity as a high-ranking officer trying to control the growing crisis. Toni Collette, ever magnetic, plays a power-hungry authority figure with biting charisma, and Naomi Ackie gives depth to a character that could’ve easily been sidelined. Mark Ruffalo also impresses in a morally ambiguous role that keeps the audience guessing.
Direction & Tone:
Bong Joon-ho proves again that no one blends genres quite like he does. Mickey 17 juggles sci-fi, dark comedy, and political satire without ever losing balance. It’s Black Mirror meets Moon, with shades of Snowpiercer and Blade Runner, yet entirely unique. The tone flips from absurd humor to deep philosophical questioning in seconds, but never feels jarring.
There’s a clear undercurrent of social commentary—on capitalism, disposability, and identity—that’s classic Bong. But it’s delivered with such wit and creativity that even the heaviest moments are accessible.
Visuals & Worldbuilding:
Visually, Mickey 17 is stunning. The frozen world of Niflheim is desolate and claustrophobic, yet beautifully rendered. Bong’s longtime collaborator, production designer Lee Ha-jun (Parasite), crafts a world that feels both alien and eerily familiar—metal corridors, sterile regeneration labs, bleak colony housing—it’s all done with immaculate attention to detail.
The visual effects support the story rather than overwhelm it. Action scenes are sparse but impactful, often grounded in emotional stakes rather than spectacle.
Themes & Writing:
The screenplay, penned by Bong himself, is layered and smart. It poses heavy questions: What makes a person unique? Is a clone still you? And what happens when society sees you as less than human, even if you remember everything about your “past lives”?
The dialogue is sharp, occasionally hilarious, often profound. Some moments feel deeply Kafkaesque—especially as the bureaucracy of the colony tries to “solve” the problem of two Mickeys.
Pacing & Drawbacks:
The middle act does slow down slightly as the film leans into its existential themes, which might frustrate viewers looking for constant action. But if you’re a fan of cerebral sci-fi, this is where the film shines. There’s also a minor subplot involving rebellion that feels underdeveloped—but even that may be intentional, a nod to how easily movements are co-opted or derailed in controlled societies.
Final Thoughts:
Mickey 17 is brilliant, bold, and deeply human. It’s one of those films that stays in your head long after the credits roll, not just because of its visuals or twists, but because it makes you question your place in the world.
It’s sci-fi with soul. And with Pattinson and Bong at the helm, it’s a cinematic experience worth watching more than once—because the first time, you’re just scratching the surface.
