In Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho delivers a delightful and absurd satire that takes aim at everything from the crumbling systems of capitalism to the rise of authoritarian figures like Donald Trump. In his first English-language film since Okja(2017), Bong uses his platform to tackle the deeply troubling and ever-present issues of class exploitation, environmental destruction, and the grotesque commodification of human life, all wrapped in a clever, space-faring adventure.
Set in the year 2054, Mickey 17 introduces us to Robert Pattinson’s Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” who signs up for a dangerous mission to colonize the distant planet Niflheim in order to escape his crushing debt. As the title suggests, Mickey’s existence is anything but stable, he’s repeatedly killed in the line of duty, only to have his consciousness transferred to a new body, a process that leaves him confused, disoriented, and more than a little bitter. But it’s his existential resignation to death, his repeated “Oh, okay” when faced with lethal tasks, that becomes the film’s heart and humor, portraying a character crushed under the weight of the modern world and its absurd expectations.
Pattinson, in a dual role as both Mickey 17 and the freshly resurrected Mickey 18, is nothing short of exceptional. His performance brims with physical comedy, delivering a deep sense of pathos through the simplest of lines and gestures. The film cleverly plays with the concept of multiple versions of Mickey, allowing Pattinson to explore the humor and tension of his own identity being fractured and split. As Mickey faces death after death, his sarcastic but resigned attitude offers a bleakly comic reflection of how society has turned people into expendable cogs in the machine.
The world-building in Mickey 17 is both expansive and intimate, with Bong’s usual keen eye for socio-political critique on full display. The colony on Niflheim, full of grim industrial aesthetics and a class structure that mirrors Earth’s inequalities, serves as the perfect setting for Bong’s brand of dark comedy. Mark Ruffalo plays Commander Kenneth Marshall, a political figure obsessed with image and power, very much a thinly veiled satire of figures like Trump. His performance, complete with fake veneers and smarmy charm, shows how easily those at the top can exploit others for their own gain.
The film’s exploration of the grotesque comes through in many forms, from the “creepers” on Niflheim, alien lifeforms resembling oversized, squishy bugs, to the truly bizarre obsession with sauces by Marshall’s wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette). These strange characters and their odd pursuits are both humorous and disturbing, pointing to the absurdity of human desires and priorities in a world where survival itself has become a commodified transaction.
Visually, Mickey 17 is breathtaking. Darius Khondji’s cinematography draws you into the bleak world of the film, using wide shots of Niflheim’s icy ravines and the cold, sterile interiors of the spaceship to contrast with the humor and heart of Pattinson’s performances. The rich world-building doesn’t just serve the narrative, it highlights Bong’s ability to mix profound social critique with the sense of wonder that great science fiction can offer.
While Mickey 17 delivers a gripping narrative and clever social commentary, it could benefit from a slightly tighter runtime, particularly in the first hour. The film leans heavily on exposition during its opening stretch, as it takes its time establishing the world and the rules of Mickey’s existence. While this provides important context, some of it feels like it drags, with Bong indulging in a bit too much detail before the narrative truly kicks into gear. A more streamlined approach could have maintained the momentum and heightened the stakes earlier on. That said, the film still works because of its rich character dynamics and the performances, particularly Pattinson’s, which keep you engaged even during slower moments. Once the story picks up and the absurdity of Mickey’s situation unfolds, the pacing improves significantly, and the film fully realizes its potential.
At its core, Mickey 17 is about survival, not just of the body, but of the spirit. In a world that continually seeks to strip away humanity for profit, Mickey’s quest is to preserve some semblance of joy and individuality. This underlying message is what makes Mickey 17 so striking: it’s a film that acknowledges how absurd life can be, but still offers a glimmer of hope in the form of its deeply human characters.
Bong’s mix of satire, absurdism, and biting social commentary makes Mickey 17 one of the most engaging and thought-provoking films of the year. With Pattinson’s impeccable performance and Bong’s keen direction, it’s a space epic that’s as funny as it is philosophical, offering a timely reminder that while the world may feel increasingly nonsensical, it’s up to us to find meaning in it before it burns us all out.
4/5 Stars
