“Mickey 17” is here.
The latest from director Bong Joon-ho, coming off of his 2019 Oscar powerhouse “Parasite,” stars Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Tony Collette, Naomi Ackie and Steven Yuen. It’s based on a book that was released a couple of years ago by Edward Ashton (it already has a sequel) and had a number of release dates before finally settling on March 7 – that’s this week.
Chances are you’ve seen a trailer. Or maybe a weird, vaguely psychedelic billboard with multiple Pattinsons. But do you know what “Mickey 17” even is? Like, really know? Well, we are here to clear everything up for you. Buckle up.
What is “Mickey 17?”
It’s a major motion picture being released by Warner Bros. on March 7, 2025.
How long is “Mickey 17?”
137 minutes! Pretty good for a sci-fi epic!
What is “Mickey 17” rated?
R. Don’t take the kiddies.
Where is it playing?
Everywhere. Including IMAX screens, which might be the way to go for such an already-immersive experience.
What is it about?
“Mickey 17” is set in a distant future which honestly isn’t all that far away from our own, where a combination of church/corporation/country (it’s a little unclear) led by a failed former politician (Ruffalo) sets off to colonize an inhospitable, icy world called Nilfheim.
Running away from his problems on earth (which include a failed macaron business), Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) signs up to be an “expendable.” He’ll do the deadliest tasks on the spaceship and on the new planet, and if he dies – when he dies – he’ll be reprinted, a clone with all of his memories intact. At the beginning of the movie, he’s left for dead and reflecting on all the things that led him to where he was right then – in a craggy ice cavern, waiting to be eaten by one of the creatures on the planet, which have been dubbed “creepers.”
And?
Well, it turns out Mickey isn’t so dead. He gets out of the cave (we’re not saying how) and returns to his room, where he finds that the next Mickey has already been printed. That’s right – Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 together at last. The only problem is that “duplicates” are expressly forbidden. If the company finds out about them, they’ll be permanently deleted. This would very much disappoint Mickey’s endlessly patient girlfriend, Nasha (Ackie). Now the clock is ticking – what will they do?
Okay, we’re starting to see it now.
Good! It mixes a lot of what makes Bong’s movies so special – commentary on capitalism run amok, an interest in indigenous (and animal) rights, a playful sense of genre- and tone-hopping, madcap visuals (once again captured by legendary cinematographer Darius Khondji). And honestly a fun, super compelling storyline with original sci-fi elements that are absolutely irrepressible. What a delight!
Is it anything like “Parasite?”
Not really, beyond some thematic concerns about class and capitalism. And the fact that the tone and vibe of the movie can flip on a dime. This is wholly different, in the best possible way.
Is it anything like “Twilight?”
Uh no.
What is it like?
If you are a fan of the films of Terry Gilliam, Luc Besson’s “The Fifth Element” or the Wachowskis’ “Jupiter Ascending,” you’ll probably find a lot to love in “Mickey 17.” And probably even if you don’t like those earlier movies!
Anything else we should know?
One of the biggest surprises of “Mickey 17” is how emotional it is. You really feel for this character, for his plight, and for his connection with the creatures that are on the ice planet. It’s a much sweeter movie than the trailers, which lean into the movie’s inherent goofiness, make it out to be. You might even shed a tear or two for our lowly expendable!
Here’s the “Mickey 17” trailer (the first one, the newer one gives away too much):
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