Mickey 17 (2025) Movie Review

Mickey 17 (2025) Movie Review

After the monumental success of Bong Jonn Ho’s 2019 modern-masterpiece "Parasite", winning 4 Academy Awards, including Best picture, screenplay, director and international foreign language film, it was only a matter of time until a big studio gave him complete, creative control to create his next feature, enter Warner Bros. The studio backed the talented filmmaker, giving him a massive $120 million budget to create a wholly original story. Whilst not reaching the heights it should have at the box office, the film still struck a chord with critics and audiences alike, holding an impressive 77% critical rating and 73% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes respectively. In time I see this film developing a strong and devoted following, gaining cinema cult status.

Mickey 17 is a darkly comedic sci-fi film set in the year 2054, following Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), a man who escapes Earth and a violent loan shark by joining a colonisation mission to the icy planet Niflheim. Lacking useful skills, Mickey becomes an "Expendable"—a worker assigned to deadly tasks, who is cloned and reprinted with memories intact each time he dies. As the seventeenth iteration, Mickey 17 survives a mission gone wrong and returns to the colony ship, only to discover that a new clone, Mickey 18, has already been printed. The existence of two active clones violates strict protocol, putting both at risk of termination. The two Mickeys must navigate a tense standoff, a corrupt political leader, and the secrets of Niflheim’s native creatures—all while trying to outwit a system that sees them as disposable.

Mickey 17 was one of the most enjoyable film going experiences I have had so far in 2025. The film seamlessly blends existential themes with satire, action and comedy, exploring identity, sacrifice, and the absurdity of bureaucratic systems in space. Bong Joon Ho, brings his sensibilities here as a filmmaker, bringing biting satire, to the sci-fi genre, which might not be a new concept, but it's one that’s welcomed in the current political and social climate and cinematic landscape. His direction here is lively and fun, bringing a lot of humour to the film through comedic set-ups, his sharp writing and of course the amazing cast. Robert Pattinson is fantastic here in the dual role of Mickey Barnes, playing multiple iterations of the character throughout, but showcasing subtle nuances through his portrayal of both Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. He continues his hot streak from the last couple of years with yet another strong turn in a genre he hasn’t spent much time in previously. Films like Good Time, High-Life, The Batman, The Boy and The Heron and The Devil All the Time in recent years, haver asserted the once teen heartthrob, to Hollywood royalty. At this point in time, another Twilight seems impossible with his remarkable track record.

The supporting cast all do a fantastic job as well, with Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette both giving standout performances as the villainous Kenneth Marshall (Ruffalo) and Yifa (Collette). Their characters are stand-ins for current world leaders and personalities, feeling like a culmination of many different people. They’re both over-the-top without ever feeling cartoonish, it’s a fine line, but they booth toe it beautifully. Steven Yeun also makes an appearance here as Mickey’s best friend, turned substance dealer, Timo. After his strong work in recent years with Minari, Blue Bayao and of course Beef, it was a lot of fun seeing him here in this role. Nasha Barridge from last year’s surprise hit, Don’t Blink, gives a commanding and layered performance as Naomi Ackie, Mickey’s partner. She’s fantastic here, showing that Don’t Blink was no fluke, and she is the real deal!

The film’s premise is also handled really well, utilising its stark, cold and isolated location to its advantage, to really help emphasise the situation. Bong Joon Ho clearly has a love for the snow, as the location here does feel like the post-apocalyptic world of Snowpiercer. The ‘creepers’ as Marshall calls them in the film, are a fun creature as well, feeling very reminiscent of the bugs from Starship Troopers. Their simplistic design, and combination of practical and computer-generated effects was a welcomed addition to the film, feeling like something right out of the 1980s. The whole aesthetic of the world and lived-in station, make for a fun and memorable environment. One of my favourite locations in a science-fiction flick in recent years.

Funny, weird and full of life, ‘Mickey 17’ is a bizarre sci-fi film that feels like a breath of fresh air into the genre. Pattinson shines as Mickey Barnes, showcasing his range, playing a character very much against type. The setting is unique and interesting and the design of some of the creatures and tech is inspired. Bong Joon Ho really does have a knack for the weird. The film’s final act doesn’t live up to its first two, but it still remains fun throughout, never taking its larger-than-life premise too seriously. Overall, it’s worth a watch!

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Christopher Pattison from Oz-Movie Geek wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here.