Mickey 17 was released in South Korea on February 28, 2025. It is the highly anticipated new film from director Bong Joon-ho, who became a global sensation after winning Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards with Parasite six years ago. The movie is a sci-fi comedy based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7 and tells the story of Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” clone who is repeatedly regenerated after each death.
Plot Summary
Mickey Barnes, struggling with financial difficulties, is on the run from Darius, a ruthless loan shark who takes pleasure in eliminating those who fail to repay him. To escape his dire circumstances, Mickey leaves Earth and joins a human colony on the icy planet Niflheim as an Expendable. Expendables are disposable crew members who are assigned high-risk tasks and, upon dying, are reprinted with their memories intact in a new body.
One day, Mickey 17 is presumed dead during a dangerous mission, leading to the creation of his successor, Mickey 18. However, when Mickey 17 returns alive, the colony faces an unprecedented dilemma: two versions of Mickey now exist simultaneously, violating the colony’s strict rule that only one expendable can be active at a time. As a result, both versions of Mickey must fight for their survival.
Main Characters
– Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson): The protagonist, portrayed in dual roles as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. Pattinson successfully delivers distinct performances for each version of Mickey, bringing depth and uniqueness to both characters.
– Nasha Barrage (played by Naomi Ackie): Mickey’s love interest. While others view Expendables as mere disposable assets, she is the only one who genuinely values and stands by Mickey until the very end.
– Timo (played by Steven Yeun): A pilot on Niflheim and Mickey’s childhood friend from an orphanage. He and Mickey fled Earth together to escape loan sharks. However, he only sees Mickey as a tool to be used rather than a true friend.
– Kenneth Marshall (played by Mark Ruffalo): A politician on Niflheim. With ambitious plans and a ruthless nature, he is a dictator-like figure willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his political goals.
– Ilpha Marshall (played by Toni Collette): Kenneth’s wife and a key figure in maintaining control over the colony. She seeks to exploit the native lifeforms known as Creepers to create valuable resources.
Production Process
Even before its official publication in 2022, Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7 had already been slated for a film adaptation, with Bong Joon-ho attached as writer and director. This marks Bong’s first Hollywood film and boasts the largest budget ever allocated to a Korean director—$118 million (approximately 170 billion KRW).
Robert Pattinson was confirmed as the lead in May 2022, followed by the casting of Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun in July of the same year. Filming took place at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK from August to December 2022, with post-production concluding in January 2023.
Box Office Performance
Mickey 17 premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2025, before its official release in South Korea on February 28. On its opening day in Korea, the film attracted 248,059 viewers, securing the number one spot at the box office. This surpassed the opening numbers of Robert Pattinson’s previous films, The Batman and Tenet.
The movie is set for a North American release on March 7, 2025, with industry analysts predicting an opening weekend revenue of $15–20 million.
Audience Reception
Since its release, Mickey 17 has received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Many praise Robert Pattinson’s dual-role performance and Bong Joon-ho’s unique directorial style. Some critics highlight the film’s seamless genre shifts and sharp humor, applauding Bong’s fresh approach and creative storytelling.
Themes and Messages
Mickey 17 explores thought-provoking themes such as the identity of cloned humans, the ethical implications of life and death, and the devaluation of existence. Through a blend of black comedy and social commentary, the film metaphorically critiques modern labor structures and human alienation. Bong Joon-ho’s signature storytelling combines dark humor with deeper philosophical reflections, allowing for multiple interpretations.
Ratings (8.9/10)
Following its premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, Mickey 17 received enthusiastic reviews. As of March 1, 2025, it holds a 90% Golden Egg score on CGV, an 8.03/10 rating on Naver, and 3.7/5 on WatchaPedia.
As of March 2, Naver’s audience rating has slightly increased to 8.04/10, while netizen reviews average 6.84/10, and critics’ ratings range between 7 and 8/10.
From my personal viewing experience, I evaluated the film based on immersion, story, and acting. The level of engagement was high, the performances were solid, and the narrative exceeded expectations. Considering these factors, I believe an 8.9/10 rating is well-deserved.
Conclusion
Mickey 17 stands as a testament to Bong Joon-ho’s unique imagination and social insight, pushing the boundaries of the sci-fi genre. With outstanding performances, an intriguing storyline, and thought-provoking themes, the film leaves a lasting impact on its audience. As it gears up for its North American release, its box office performance and critical reception remain highly anticipated.
