Writer/Director: Bong Joon-ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo
‘A Captivating Satire’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the recognition of Robert Pattinson. Following his stardom in the 2000’s, Pattinson has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s lighthouse keepers, vampires that face dangers or caped crusaders, Pattinson has played many strong characters. Arguably, Pattinson’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul in each and every role. Pattinson has rarely ever been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Although he is most famous for his iconic role in the “Twilight” franchise, Pattinson has been a versatile actor that has proven he has ability to surprise. A British icon, Pattinson has been an actor that audiences cherish. Pattinson has come a long way since his role in “Twilight” by playing various characters in genres achieving the spotlight. Throughout his career, Pattinson has made countless memorable movies which definitely deserve to be talked about without a single doubt.
Now, Pattinson is back on the big-screen and his strengths as an actor are clearly evident in his latest film “Mickey 17”. Released in 2025, Bong Joon-ho’s movie offered a captivating science fiction thriller. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of 2025. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Robert Pattinson, who plays a space traveller seeking to discover his identity. Although “Mickey 17” is undeniably a riveting science fiction thriller, it isn’t a flawless movie. It’s unevenly paced, building to an ambiguous conclusion without a satisfying resolution. That being said, it provides enjoyable entertainment that will definitely without a doubt satisfy fans of Robert Pattinson.
Based on the beloved book, “Mickey 17” tells the story of a hero that embarks on a journey to die causing catastrophe. Robert Pattinson portrays Mickey Barnes, a labour worker with intense commitment to his craft. Mickey cares deeply about doing his job which requires him to die repeatedly. Assisted by his friend Timo (Steven Yeun), Mickey embarks on a journey to die in a tense job causing tragedy. However, Mickey’s life forever changes when he faces tense pressure from the government causing disaster. The election of the ruthless dictator Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo) soon causes Mickey to face intense pressure. Faced with a tragedy, Mickey begins questioning whether it is possible for him to survive in a world which causes catastrophe. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Mickey begins to wonder if it’s possible for him to survive in a competitive job causing disaster.
Bong Joon-Ho is fascinated with the themes of class warfare. An extraordinary South Korean filmmaker, Joon-Ho has often made engaging movies about social class tensions that cause disaster. His Oscar-winning movie “Parasite” offered an insightful glimpse at tight barriers that housekeepers in South Korea fight. With “Mickey 17”, however, he created his first sci-fi adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to adapt a celebrated science-fiction book about replicants facing disaster but he succeeded. Through spellbinding cinematography, Bong Joon-Ho captures the tensions experienced by labour workers that die repeatedly for a living. Bong Joon-Ho successfully uses point of view shots to capture tensions that men that die for a living are facing. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the body reprinting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mickey has his body reprinted in an experiment following his death on a mission. One appreciates point of view shoes capturing tensions which space heroes are facing. Point of view shots are not easy to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” claimed, point of view shots enhance commemorated horror movies about sharks. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Bong Joon-Ho captures tensions that men on dangerous space missions are always facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Mickey 17” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Spike Jonze’s “Adaptation”, Bong Joon-Ho effectively uses special effects to capture the interactions between doubles. Throughout the movie, Bong Joon-ho expertly uses special effects to capture tension faced by multiples of Mickey. For instance, special effects elevate the multiples scene. During this intense scene, Mickey is shocked to discover that he has a multiple causing disaster. One appreciates special effects capturing tension that multiples are facing. Double roles are a complex technique to use in movies. However, they work immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Jung Jae-il’s commemorated music is key to the film’s success. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden which men that die for a living bear. Through phenomenal production design, Bong Joon-ho captures the lives of commemorated labour workers in space which decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mickey 17” is a science fiction film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the tension faced by men embarking on space missions. Bong Joon-ho’s greatest screenwriting strength is his ability to capture tension faced by space heroes through voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Mickey expresses his views on his downtrodden world through revealing narration. For instance, the narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mickey expresses his cynical views on the world through compelling narration. One appreciates narration capturing frightening tension space heroes are enduring. Narration is a complicated technique to employ in films. As Frank Darabont’s iconic “The Shawshank Redemptoon” suggested, narration elevates commemorated classic movies about prison. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Bong Joon-Ho captures commemorated heroes in space facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Robert Pattinson delivers one of his greatest performances as Mickey Barnes. Pattinson first achieved praise for playing vampires in adaptations. With “Mickey 17”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to for actors to portray double roles in movies but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Pattinson has always excelled at playing heroes facing tension, and “Mickey 17” exhibits his strengths as an actor. With expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a Jerri embarking on space missions. It’s a bold performance from one of the most celebrated actors that’s currently working in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Pattinson, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Mark Ruffalo is magnificent, capturing the charismatic nature of a political leader with a spark that seeks to leave a lasting mark. Steven Yeun is fantastic, capturing the determination of a labourer that seeks to survive in worlds causing destruction. Lastly, Toni Collette meets appreciation. As a female politician, she brings a strong sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “Mickey 17” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing workers following a routine. Unlike most science fiction movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, marriage and government corruption that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the renowned book to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about dangers of government corruption that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Mickey 17” is one of those rare science fiction films everyone would adore.
Although “Mickey 17” is a captivating sci-fi satire, ultimately, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Bong Joon-ho’s decision to integrate political subplots involving politicians into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Kenneth Marshall’s political negotiations aren’t as engaging as Mickey’s journey to find his identity. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion without a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ambiguous ending elevated Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. Therefore, “Mickey 17” can’t quite honour a commemorated science-fiction book about workers following a dangerous routine.
Nevertheless, fans of Robert Pattinson will definitely enjoy “Mickey 17” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating sci-fi satire, it celebrates an actor which audiences admire.
A captivating adaptation of a groundbreaking science-fiction book about heroic men risking their lives embarking on space missions involving dying that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has gained a huge fan following for his abilities to portray characters which are compelling manufacturing captivating movies that are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 