# **Bong Joon-Ho’s *Mickey 17*: An Audacious Sci-Fi Venture with a Turbulent Conclusion**
Renowned Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho, celebrated for his boundary-pushing works, makes a return with *Mickey 17*, a science fiction escapade that propels audiences into a surreal exploration of space, selfhood, and fundamental dilemmas of existence. While the movie captures Bong’s distinctive inventiveness and dark humor, it also grapples with a tumultuous final act that could leave some viewers conflicted.
## **A Shift from *Parasite***
For those anticipating the incisive social commentary found in *Parasite* (2019), *Mickey 17* presents a contrasting experience. Adapted from Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel *Mickey7*, the film immerses itself in absurdist sci-fi, merging influences from Duncan Jones’ *Moon* (2009) and Terry Gilliam’s *Brazil* (1985). The outcome is a visually breathtaking and thematically layered cinematic piece that delves into the philosophy of identity with a darkly comedic perspective.
## **The Narrative: A Bizarre Form of Immortality**
Robert Pattinson takes on the role of Mickey Barnes, an indebted human who enlists as an “expendable” for a colonization mission to the frigid world of Niflheim. His role? To die repeatedly. Each time an expendable meets their end, their consciousness is transferred into a newly manufactured body, enabling them to persist in their duties.
Mickey swiftly accumulates a string of deaths—often in gruesome manners—before arriving at Niflheim, where he encounters the planet’s indigenous creatures, enormous tardigrade-like entities dubbed “creepers.” When Mickey 17 plunges into a gaping chasm, his team presumes he has died. However, rather than perishing, he is rescued by the creepers and returns to discover that his successor, Mickey 18, has already been created.
## **A Saga of Two Mickeys**
At the core of the film is Pattinson’s dual portrayal of Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. While they possess identical memories, subtle distinctions arise—Mickey 17 is more subdued, whereas Mickey 18 exhibits rebelliousness and aggression. Their exchanges provoke intriguing inquiries about identity, the continuity of consciousness, and the true essence of being “you.”
Mickey’s bond with security officer Nasha (Naomi Ackie) enriches the emotional landscape. She loves him across all his forms, even as he dies and resurrects repeatedly. A particularly touching scene depicts her cradling a dying Mickey in protective gear, highlighting the film’s themes of love and mortality.
## **Ensemble Cast and World Immersion**
The supporting ensemble delivers impressive performances, with Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette shining as Kenneth and Ylfa Marshall, the ethically ambiguous leaders of the colonization crew. Ruffalo’s depiction of a sensitive, cult-like authority figure adds layers of political and religious satire to the storyline.
Visually, *Mickey 17* is a visual spectacle. Bong Joon-Ho constructs a universe that is both advanced and gritty, with the icy vistas of Niflheim starkly contrasting the cramped quarters of the colony. The creepers, with their collective intelligence, introduce a compelling alien aspect to the plot.
## **The Final Act’s Challenges**
Although the initial two-thirds of the film are tightly woven and engrossing, the concluding act falters. As conflicts escalate between the colonists and the indigenous creatures, the narrative becomes fragmented, featuring jarring scene transitions and awkward exposition. A surreal dream sequence further complicates the resolution, rendering the climax hasty and inadequately developed.
## **Concluding Thoughts: An Imperfect yet Intriguing Sci-Fi Journey**
In spite of its narrative flaws, *Mickey 17* stands as a daring and intellectually stimulating film. Bong Joon-Ho’s readiness to embrace creative risks results in a work that is visually breathtaking, thematically profound, and frequently darkly humorous. While the tumultuous third act may induce frustration for some viewers, the movie’s inventiveness and philosophical richness render it a rewarding experience.
For aficionados of sci-fi that challenges notions of identity and existence, *Mickey 17* is essential viewing. It may not attain the zenith of *Parasite*, but it reaffirms Bong Joon-Ho’s status as one of today’s most innovative filmmakers.
*Now screening in theaters.*
