764 words, 4 minutes read time.
Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 is a film of contradictions. It introduces a deeply fascinating concept. The film centers on the ethics of human expendability and the nature of identity. Still, it struggles to commit to the philosophical weight of its premise. Adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the story follows Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson). He is a disposable worker for a human colonisation mission. Mickey is repeatedly resurrected upon death. The film presents striking visual storytelling. It features strong performances, particularly from Pattinson and Naomi Ackie as Nasha. Yet, it ultimately loses focus in its latter half. Many of its most thought-provoking ideas stay underdeveloped.
Exploring Identity Through Multiples
The novel captivates readers with its exploration of multiplicity. It questions how a person defines their sense of self. This becomes complex when there are multiple iterations of them. The film briefly touches on this. Mickey 17 finds himself co-existing with Mickey 18. This moment is one of the film’s most compelling scenes. It features the two Mickeys in bed with Nasha. Played by Naomi Ackie, Nasha is the only colonist who treats Mickey with genuine love. She shows affection despite knowing that he is a regenerating “expendable” rather than a singular, irreplaceable human. The film plays this scene for both dark humour and existential tension, highlighting the possibilities in their relationship.
The novel delves more deeply into the question of intimacy and relationships between multiples. It explores how the psychological burden of knowing one is replaceable affects Mickey. This burden also impacts those around him. The film, nevertheless, largely avoids these deeper philosophical inquiries. The scene with Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 in bed with Nasha is portrayed with surreal discomfort. It does not engage with the implications of a person loving two versions of the same individual. In the book, there is more discussion about how Nasha rationalises her relationship with Mickey. She considers whether she sees each version as an extension of the same person or as distinct entities.
Shifting Focus: The Alien Subplot and Narrative Detours
For much of its first half, Mickey 17 seems poised to explore identity and survival. It also aims to delve into the ethics of cloning. However, the film loses its way when it introduces an underdeveloped alien subplot. While stories like Arrival and Annihilation successfully integrate first-contact narratives with human introspection, Mickey 17 struggles to balance its themes. The alien presence in the film serves more as a distraction. It draws attention away from Mickey’s personal struggles. It also detracts from the moral dilemmas of human replication.
The Destruction of the Regeneration Machine: A Missed Climax?
The destruction of the regeneration machine is one of the story’s pivotal moments, carrying enormous thematic weight. In both the book and the film, this event symbolizes the end of Mickey’s ability to be reborn. His survival suddenly becomes meaningful in a way it was not before. Yet, the film handles this with far less impact than the novel. In Ashton’s book, the loss of the machine forces Mickey to confront his own mortality. This happens in a meaningful way for the first time. It significantly alters his relationship with the other colonists. They had earlier viewed him as a tool rather than a person.
In the film, this moment arrives with less emotional weight, failing to deliver the existential gut punch it deserves. The narrative swiftly concludes. It does not fully explore what it means for Mickey to become “irreplaceable” after a lifetime of disposability. As a result, many questions stay unresolved.
Final Verdict
Mickey 17 is a visually striking and well-acted film that never quite reaches its potential. Robert Pattinson delivers a strong performance. He navigates the film’s existential undertones with charm and depth. Naomi Ackie brings warmth and complexity to Nasha. Yet, Bong Joon-ho’s adaptation ultimately sidesteps some compelling aspects of its source material. This is particularly clear in its treatment of identity. It also overlooks relationships and the ethical dilemmas of cloning. The film’s shift towards an underwhelming alien subplot weakens its impact. It also shows reluctance to fully engage with the implications of multiple Mickeys. These choices leave it feeling like a missed opportunity.
While Mickey 17 is worth watching for its performances and aesthetic, it lacks the philosophical depth of its literary counterpart. Fans of intelligent, thought-provoking science fiction may find themselves wanting more. They should watch the film, then read the book.
Picture credit
By http://www.impawards.com/2025/mickey_oneseven_ver2_xxlg.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78090284
Mickey 17 – DVD & Blu-ray
Directed by: Bong Joon Ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson
Release Date (UK): 26 May 2025
