Mickey 17

Mickey 17

Bong Joon-ho’s Absurdist Sci-Fi Triumph

★★★★☆

Arguably the first great movie of 2025—a thought-provoking and hilarious morality tale.

Directed by the visionary Bong Joon-ho, Mickey 17 is a brilliant amalgamation of anti-capitalist themes and dark, absurdist comedy. Following the success of Parasite, Bong turns his eye toward the ethical and sociological complexities of human cloning. The film serves as an extremely timely morality tale, examining problematic cultural elements through a fascinating sci-fi lens that thoroughly entertains.

"Good is good, no matter how a movie is marketed. Mickey 17 is a really good and really thought provoking film."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Production Brief

• Director: Bong Joon-ho
• Starring: Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette
• Supporting: Steven Yeun, Naomie Ackie
• Source: Based on Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

Philosophical Absurdity

Robert Pattinson turns in another eye-opening performance, showcasing incredible dynamic range alongside a powerhouse ensemble including Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette. While some may find the over-the-top comedic elements too absurdist for their tastes, the energy and commitment of the performers give the movie a unique, fun spirit. Despite multiple delays and marketing indecision, the final product proves that quality transcends genre-bending confusion.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Marketing Tug-of-War: The film was famously delayed as Warner Bros. debated whether to market it as an awards contender or a commercial blockbuster.
• Title Change: While the source novel is titled Mickey7, Bong Joon-ho changed the number to 17, jokingly suggesting he wanted to kill Pattinson's character more times.
• Reunion: This marks another collaboration with Steven Yeun, who previously starred in Bong's 2017 film, Okja.

✅ Pros

• Robert Pattinson's dynamic and versatile performance.
• Bong Joon-ho's signature blend of satire and social commentary.
• Breathtaking visual execution and unique spirit.

❌ Cons

• Absurdist moments may be too over-the-top for some viewers.
  
  
  
• Genre-bending tone can feel initially jarring.

🏆 Final Verdict

A crowning achievement for 2025. Mickey 17 is a rare beast: a high-concept sci-fi that manages to be both intellectually stimulating and genuinely hilarious. Don't miss it.

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