Bong Joon-Ho’s Next Big Swing
Back in 2020, Parasite made history as the first non-English film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. It catapulted Bong Joon-Ho to new heights, and since then, film nerds like me have been waiting to see what he’d do next.
Enter Mickey 17—a weird, wacky, and fascinating sci-fi adventure.
Based on the 2022 novel Mickey7, the film is set in a dystopian future where Earth’s citizens are leaving to colonize a new planet. Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) signs up as an “Expendable,” a worker sent on dangerous missions knowing he’ll just be “reprinted” with his memories intact every time he dies. But things go sideways when a new Mickey is reprinted before the old one is gone.
It’s a bold, unique, and strange addition to Bong Joon-Ho’s filmography. Here are five reasons why Mickey 17 is a must-watch:
1. Bong Joon-Ho at His Weirdest
If you’re expecting another twist-filled thriller like Parasite, this isn’t it. Instead, Bong leans into his goofier side—think Okja and Barking Dogs Never Bite. His signature genre-blending, dark comedy, and social satire are cranked up to their most chaotic.
Yet, despite the madness, the story never loses its core. The film’s bizarre world-building is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it one of Bong’s most daring works yet.
2. A Blockbuster with a Brain
At 139 minutes, Mickey 17 is packed with big ideas wrapped in stunning visuals. The production design and effects are top-tier, but what really makes the film stand out is its deeper message.
It tackles capitalism, environmental destruction, existentialism, and even genocide as humans try to take over a planet already inhabited by native creatures. Mark Ruffalo plays Kenneth Marshall, an egotistical leader pushing for a “pure white planet full of super people”—a thinly veiled jab at white nationalism and Trump-era politics.
This isn’t just a sci-fi spectacle. It’s a film that makes you think long after the credits roll.
3. Dark Comedy Done Right
Even Parasite had moments of twisted humor, and Mickey 17 is no different. Watching Mickey die in increasingly horrific ways (only to be resurrected) is both grim and hilarious. The way the higher-ups treat the “expendables” is absurd, and Bong plays with that satire masterfully.
Ruffalo and Toni Collette’s performances as over-the-top villains lean into parody, adding to the film’s unhinged charm. It’s funny, grotesque, and utterly Bong Joon-Ho.
4. Double the Robert Pattinson, Double the Fun
It’s no spoiler—at some point, Mickey gets cloned, and Pattinson plays both Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. The two may share the same looks and memories, but their personalities couldn’t be more different.
Mickey 17 is mild-mannered and eager to please. Mickey 18 is brash, violent, and reckless. Pattinson plays them so distinctly—down to mannerisms and voice work—that you don’t even need visual cues to tell them apart. It’s one of his best performances yet.
5. The Creeper
Like The Host’s monster or Okja’s genetically modified super pig, Mickey 17 has its own standout creature: the “Creeper.”
These giant, isopod-like aliens inhabit Nilfheim, the icy planet humans are trying to colonize. Mysterious and dangerous, they have a striking design—but when they’re not trying to kill you, they somehow look oddly adorable.
Final Thoughts
Mickey 17 is one of the weirdest movies you’ll see this year. It’s messy at times, and its ambition sometimes outweighs its cohesion, but it’s also bold, original, and unforgettable. With strong world-building, one of Pattinson’s best performances, and sharp social commentary, it’s definitely worth a trip to the theater.
Mickey 17 is now showing in Philippine cinemas.