'Mickey 17' review: Robert Pattison is having the time of his life in Bong Joon Ho’s silly dark comedy

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

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Directing his first studio film with a substantial $100 million budget, Bong Joon Ho clearly leverages the immense goodwill and Oscar success he earned from his 2019 masterpiece “Parasite”—the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. And while “Mickey 17” isn’t without its flaws—it's occasionally inconsistent tone, meandering plot, and somewhat mundane pacing—the South Korean director remains steadfast in preserving his unique voice. He doesn’t compromise the film’s purpose or identity for the sake of appealing to mainstream sensibilities, despite Warner Bros. clearly hoping to capitalize on whatever he did next. The result is a film that, while far from perfect, is undeniably worth celebrating, and its existence in theaters worldwide should be cheered.

Anyone expecting Bong Joon Ho to soften his critique of capitalism, as seen in previous films like “Snowpiercer” and “Okja” or to make a more commercially-friendly movie, clearly wasn’t paying attention. “Mickey 17” offers a welcome reprieve before the flood of superhero movies and franchise blockbusters take over the marquee. While it doesn’t quite stick the landing and could perhaps have benefited from trimming 30 minutes in the editing room, it still delivers a distinct and refreshing cinematic experience.

The film also features one of Robert Pattinson’s most committed and quirky performances this side of Steve Buscemi, with the actor embracing the eccentricity of his role as Mickey. Set in 2054, Mickey is on the run from a ruthless loan shark and volunteers for a mission to help colonize a new planet as a way to escape. To do so, he has to become an "expendable," which essentially means he’ll serve as a lab rat, enduring a series of dangerous—often fatal—tasks at the hands of snarky, over-the-top politician Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo, hamming it up as if his “Poor Things” character became Donald Trump).

Each time Mickey dies, he’s reprinted via a technology banned on Earth, and the film picks up with the 17th version of that character. Along the way, Mickey is joined by his soulmate, Nasha (Naomi Ackie, “Blink Twice”), and his friend Timo (Steven Yeun), who inadvertently got him involved with the loan shark and is also trying to escape death. Additionally, there’s Marshall’s wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette), a futuristic, hell-bent version of Martha Stewart. Like the rest of the cast, Collette is game for the wild, unpredictable antics Bong Joon Ho has cooked up. From explosive vomiting to communication with a giant, rolly-pollie-like alien species called "creepers," to what will likely become the year's most outlandish futuristic threesome, “Mickey 17” embraces its absurdity at every turn.

Based on the novel by Edward Ashton, “Mickey 17” doesn’t shy away from its idiosyncratic voice or its pointed social commentary, particularly on the ineptitude of leaders devoid of integrity. The film's dystopian critique of Western culture will resonate with anyone familiar with Bong Joon Ho's previous works. While some of his ideas and humor may get lost in translation, the vibrant visuals—captured by cinematographer Darius Khondji—and a striking production design by Fiona Crombie, paired with Pattinson’s fearless performance, help elevate “Mickey 17” beyond its imperfections.

Grade: B 

MICKEY 17 is now playing in theaters.