**Bong Joon-ho’s *Mickey 17*: A Sci-Fi Comedy with a Dark Edge**
After five years since Bong Joon-ho’s *Parasite* captivated audiences and garnered critical praise along with the Academy Award for Best Picture, the innovative director returns with his latest film, *Mickey 17*, a sci-fi comedy inspired by Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel *Mickey7*. Fans of Bong’s earlier films, like *Snowpiercer* and *Okja*, are in for another sharp mix of social critique, dark humor, and breathtaking visuals. Slated for release in early 2025, the film promises to delve uniquely into themes of identity, consciousness, and the essence of humanity, all infused with Bong’s signature artistry.
### A Darkly Humorous Concept
At its essence, *Mickey 17* explores the idea of expendability—both in a literal and philosophical sense. Robert Pattinson takes on the role of Mickey Barnes, a space colonist eager to flee Earth on a perilous mission. Nonetheless, in his rush to depart, Mickey fails to scrutinize the fine details of his contract, which labels him as “expendable.” In this advanced society, expendables are disposable laborers whose consciousness gets uploaded into a new body when they perish. Essentially, they attain a form of immortality—but only in the sense that their experiences and character transfer to a clone.
This film’s foundation lies in the *teletransportation paradox*, a philosophical thought experiment that probes the essence of identity and consciousness. If your body ceases to exist and your consciousness moves to a new vessel, do you remain the same individual? Ashton’s novel, and by extension Bong’s film, navigates this philosophical quandary with a darkly comedic twist. Mickey’s version of immortality is far from ideal; as Ashton describes, it’s a “crappy immortality,” where death is a regular, almost trivial event.
### A Fight for Survival
The narrative intensifies when Mickey 17, the 17th version of our protagonist, endures an expedition on the icy planet Niflheim. Here, the rule is straightforward: if multiple versions of the same expendable coexist, they must be eliminated. The emergence of Mickey 18, a new clone, triggers a series of events that force both Mickeys to vie for their right to live. This existential conflict stands at the movie’s core, merging elements of sci-fi, dark humor, and action.
The trailer for *Mickey 17* suggests a visual aesthetic reminiscent of Duncan Jones’ *Moon* (2009), another film that tackles themes of cloning and identity, yet infused with Bong’s distinctive surreal absurdity. There are also resonances of Terry Gilliam’s *Brazil* (1985), a classic revered for its dystopian satire and nightmarish bureaucracy. Bong’s talent for synthesizing these inspirations while preserving his unique narrative voice is a key reason why *Mickey 17* is so eagerly awaited.
### A Remarkable Ensemble
Beyond Robert Pattinson, the film features a remarkable cast. Steven Yeun, celebrated for his performances in *Minari* and *The Walking Dead*, plays Berto, while Toni Collette (*Hereditary*, *Knives Out*) embodies Gwen Johansen. Mark Ruffalo, known for his portrayal of the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, assumes the role of Hieronymous Marshall. Naomi Ackie (*Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*) takes on Nasha Adjaya, and Holliday Grainger (*The Borgias*) appears as Red Hair. Other notable cast members include Angus Imrie, Steve Park, Anamaria Vartolomei, Thomas Turgoose, Patsy Ferran, and Daniel Henshall, though specifics about their characters remain under wraps.
One particularly intriguing snippet from the trailer showcases a character in an oversized pigeon costume, injecting a layer of surreal humor into the film. Whether this character has a significant role or serves merely as a visual joke is yet to be determined, but it highlights Bong’s knack for incorporating absurdity even into the gravest narratives.
### Bong Joon-ho’s Interpretation
Though *Mickey 17* is derived from Ashton’s novel, the director has indicated that his adaptation will take significant departures from its source. Ashton himself has voiced trust in Bong’s vision, labeling the director a “genius” and expressing no worries over the changes. The fundamental idea of the expendables and their existential dilemmas remains unchanged, but Bong’s distinctive storytelling approach is bound to enrich the narrative.
Bong Joon-ho is acclaimed for his skill in merging genres and addressing complex social themes in his films. *Parasite* offered a sharp examination of class disparity, while *Snowpiercer* dealt with the aftermath of environmental catastrophe and societal issues.
