“Mickey 17” Review: What we Need Now More Than Ever?

Hannah Smith ’26

Executive Entertainment Editor

“Mickey 17,” director Bong Joon Ho’s first film since his Oscar winning, record breaking film “Parasite,” has recently hit theaters after years of anxious anticipation from audiences. This comedy sci-fi stars Robert Pattinson (“The Batman,” “The Lighthouse”) in the titular role of Mickey — actually, Mickey 1 through 18 — a quirky, sheepish man who signs up to be an “expendable” for a new colony the government is setting up on another planet. An expendable is someone who is sent on suicide missions to further scientists’ knowledge of their unexplored planet, only to be printed out again and again by some kind of cloning machine built using waste and human remains. Naomi Ackie (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “Blink Twice”) plays a skilled soldier and Mickey’s girlfriend across every life. Mark Ruffalo (“The Avengers”) portrays a dictatorial governor who takes on the responsibility of ruling over the new planet, accompanied by his Lady Macbeth-esque wife who acts as his puppeteer, played by Toni Collette (“Knives Out,” “Hereditary”).

Bong is best known for his daring films that tackle such topics as wealth disparity, social order and capitalism, and “Mickey 17” is no different. Adding themes of religion and colonialism, this film is among the most relevant releases in years. What stands out most is Ruffalo’s character, Kenneth Marshall. He is a deeply disturbed man with crazy hair and even crazier teeth. After losing multiple elections in a row, he turns to an entirely new world, bringing his cult-like followers along with him. His supporters obsess over him; they wear red hats that read “the One and Only” while chanting their slogan, pumping their fists in the air. This pathetic character that can’t even speak for himself has cultivated an army of followers who are willing to do anything and everything for him, including the scientists he hired to join in his colonialist attack.

But Ruffalo wasn’t the only stand out performance in “Mickey 17.” Pattinson’s ability to depict Mickey in 18 ways is highly impressive, especially when Mickey 17 and 18 — an angrier and more vicious version of the Mickey we’ve seen up to this point — are in scenes together. They are two entirely different characters and Pattinson masterfully crafts his performances so that they can react to one another despite the fact that he can’t be two places at once. Additionally, Ackie plays such a powerful fighter while maintaining her softness towards Mickey. Collette achieves a comedic showing almost to the heights of her role in “Knives Out.” Her hilarious obsession with sauces is so peculiar and disturbing; Collette has a special talent in getting under your skin without you even knowing.

I was pleasantly surprised by the physical comedy of this film as well. As an action-adventure film, viewers expect a certain level of physicality. There are a number of scenes that had me laughing, especially those in which Mickey is sent out on another mission or his bumbling friend Timo, played by Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead,” “Minari”), gets himself into more trouble.

There are a few points in the film where the audio is less than perfect and certain storylines that drag on too long, but I would highly recommend Ho’s “Mickey 17” to anyone who hasn’t had a chance to watch it yet.