Mickey 17: Bong Joon-ho’s Darkly Comic Vision of Immortality and Identity with Robert Pattinson
In Mickey 17, acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho delves into the murky waters of human identity and disposable life, crafting a science fiction black comedy that is both chilling and darkly humorous. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film follows Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson, who joins a futuristic expedition as an “expendable”—a worker designed to die repeatedly in the line of duty, only to be resurrected with most memories intact. But when one of Mickey’s multiples, Mickey 17, survives against the odds on the icy alien world of Niflheim, he must contend with his newly-regenerated replacement, Mickey 18, setting the stage for a twisted battle between two versions of himself. Featuring a powerhouse cast, including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, Mickey 17 explores complex questions about consciousness, identity, and the disturbing implications of life on repeat.
Scheduled for release in South Korea on January 28, 2025, and in the United States on January 31, Mickey 17 brings Bong’s unique, thought-provoking style to the sci-fi genre, blending the absurd with the profound. Pattinson’s portrayal of Mickey, a man grappling with his own duplicity, promises to be layered and haunting, pushing audiences to question what it truly means to live—or relive—a life. As Mickey battles himself to protect his sense of individuality in a system that views him as disposable, Mickey 17 becomes more than a black comedy; it’s a powerful commentary on the ethical paradoxes of survival, corporate exploitation, and the relentless pursuit of colonization. Bong’s latest venture is sure to resonate long after the credits roll, leaving audiences pondering the cost of immortality in a world where even life is manufactured.
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