Time: 137 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Violence, sex scenes, drug references, offensive language & content that may disturb
Cast:
Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes
Naomi Ackie as Nasha Barridge
Steven Yeun as Timo
Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall
Toni Collette as Ylfa Marshall
Director: Bong Joon-ho

Mickey 17 was one of my most anticipated films of 2025. It’s the latest from Bong Joon-ho, the director of Parasite, Memories of Murder and Snowpiercer. It’s a sci-fi movie about cloning and stars the likes of Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette. Its release date went through numerous delays to a rather concerning degree, but now it’s here and the wait was well worth it.

Mickey 17 is a fresh, original and creative sci-fi film, and was consistently fun and engaging throughout. It is definitely very wacky, if it could be compared to any of Bong’s past work, it would be Okja. The zaniness might actually be a bit jarring if you go into the movie expecting something along the lines of Parasite. It is really funny, with slapstick and dark humour, especially with the parts involving Mickey dying over and over again, as well as Robert Pattinson’s dry voiceover narration. There is also lots of social commentary about free will, capitalism and politics, and while the satire is very on the nose and isn’t subtle at all, it worked for me. The trailers make Mickey 17 look like a pure wacky comedy and while it is that, it’s also a far more earnest movie than expected, even surprisingly romantic. Within its narrative, Mickey 17 also manages to be both cynical and hopeful. It’s not without issues, it is a little messy. It’s a long movie, but also feels a little underdeveloped in parts, and while I do like the final act, it is the weakest part of the movie. There are some debates amongst people as to how much control Bong had over this movie given the numerous delays. I do think that he at least had control over most of it (it is definitely one of his movies), but if there were any mandated cuts or studio interference, it was likely in the final 30 minutes as that section felt a bit rushed.

The acting is great from everyone. Robert Pattinson is fantastic in the lead role(s), playing multiple different versions of protagonist Mickey and really commits to everything. His physical comedy and wacky accents are perfect and he’s very entertaining to watch. The contrast and dynamic between two different Pattinson-performed Mickeys is especially fantastic. Naomi Ackie is also stellar. She and Pattinson share excellent chemistry; the romance between their characters is a surprisingly present aspect in this film and was very well handled and believable. Steven Yeun and Anamaria Vartolomei are really good in their parts too. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette are delightfully evil as the over-the-top villains, though based on some of the other reactions, I can tell that they are going to be hit or miss with some people. I personally found them entertaining, even Ruffalo’s very obvious impersonation of Donald Trump (regardless of if the character was meant to be based on him or not). 

Bong Joon-ho’s direction is fantastic; this is quite possibly the largest budget he’s had for a movie, and he’s put it to good use. The cinematography is fantastic with some stunning visuals, the effects are great and the production design and costume designs are top notch. He particularly does a great job at making the environments feel so lived in.

Mickey 17 is a darkly comic, satirical, earnest, visually stunning and fresh sci-fi, phenomenally directed and with a great cast, especially with an excellent and entertaining Robert Pattinson. I wouldn’t say that it’s one of Bong Joon-ho’s best movies, but I loved watching it nonetheless, and I recommend checking it out.