Back in 2019, when Bong Joon-ho's Parasite took home the Oscar for Best Picture—the first non-English film to ever do so—he made a striking observation about why the South Korean dark comedy resonated so universally. "Essentially," he stated, "we all live in the same country, called Capitalism." Those words still echo today, especially as Bong expands on his exploration of inequality and power in his latest film, Mickey 17, a sci-fi satire that takes the cruelties of capitalism beyond Earth itself.
If you've seen Bong's previous works, such as Snowpiercer (2013) and Okja (2017), you know that he has a sharp eye for dissecting oppressive systems. But with Mickey 17, he takes things to a cosmic level, quite literally. The film is based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Ashton Edward and introduces us to a bleak future where human expansion into space isn’t driven by adventure—it’s driven by the same exploitative systems that have controlled society for centuries.
A Futuristic Yet Familiar Tale
The story kicks off in the year 2054, centering on Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson. Down on his luck and drowning in debt, Mickey is desperate to escape his grim reality. With loan sharks breathing down his neck—chainsaw-wielding henchmen included—he and his shady business partner Timo (Steven Yeun) decide to sign up for an intergalactic colonizing mission. While Timo lands a relatively respectable job as a pilot, Mickey’s self-esteem is so low that he volunteers for a role known as an "expendable."
What does that mean, exactly? Well, in simple terms, Mickey's job is to die—over and over again. Whether through accidents, dangerous exploration missions, or even cruel scientific research, he endures terrifying and agonizing deaths, only to be resurrected each time. The process involves tossing his remains into a "cycler," an incinerator that recycles organic waste, and then printing a new version of Mickey, complete with his past memories and consciousness. It’s a dystopian nightmare, but for Mickey, it’s just another day at work.
A Love Story in the Midst of Madness
Despite the horror of his existence, Mickey finds one source of solace—his relationship with Nasha, a security officer played by Naomi Ackie. She’s the only one on the crew who sees every iteration of Mickey as a real person rather than just another disposable asset. Their bond provides a rare glimpse of warmth in an otherwise brutal narrative, giving Mickey something to cling to amid the insanity of his situation.
The Power-Hungry Leaders and a Not-So-Subtle Political Satire
The colonization effort is led by Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), a blustering, failed politician who lost two congressional elections. His followers, who suspiciously sport red caps, are eerily reminiscent of a certain real-world political figure’s fanbase, though Bong insists the character wasn’t directly inspired by Trump. Alongside Marshall is his far more calculating wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette), who, despite her bizarre obsession with sauces, wields significant power in the colony. Together, they seek to build a "pure" society under their authoritarian rule—a chilling concept that mirrors real-world discussions about nationalism and power.
A Twist That Changes Everything
Things take a dramatic turn when Mickey’s 17th iteration survives what should have been a fatal mission on Niflheim, the icy planet they’re trying to colonize. The planet’s native inhabitants—shaggy, pill bug-like creatures called "creepers"—are surprisingly friendly. But before anyone can process this, a duplicate Mickey (Mickey 18) is printed, leading to a crisis. Having multiple versions of the same expendable is strictly forbidden, and their very existence threatens the fragile order of the mission.
The stakes rise even higher as the Marshalls prepare for war against the creepers, framing them as a threat despite their peaceful nature. What follows is a gripping confrontation that ultimately leads to what might be Bong’s most hopeful film ending to date.
A Revolution and a Reckoning
In a rare turn for a Bong Joon-ho film, the oppressed find a way to fight back. Mickey—who has spent most of the film believing he is worthless—finally recognizes his own value. The people of Niflheim choose to dismantle the technology that allowed Mickey to be used as an expendable in the first place, ensuring that no one else suffers the same fate. And in a powerful moment, it is Mickey himself who destroys the machine, reclaiming his autonomy in the process.
A Timely (and Possibly Premature) Political Allegory
One of the most intriguing aspects of Mickey 17 is how it was created in a world that hadn’t yet experienced the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The film’s script was completed in 2021, and production wrapped in early 2023, yet its themes of authoritarianism, exploitation, and resistance feel eerily relevant. How audiences interpret the film’s hopeful resolution may depend on their perspective on the current political landscape—some may see it as an inspiring call to action, while others might view it as wishful thinking.
The Director’s Vision
In a conversation with NPR’s WBFO, Bong shared his reasoning for giving Mickey a chance at survival. "I just really wanted to prevent this character of Mickey Barnes from being destroyed," he explained. "You know, he lives a very difficult life. Nothing is easy for him, but I just wanted to stop the world—this harsh world—from destroying this young man."
It’s a sentiment that lingers long after the credits roll. Mickey 17 is more than just a sci-fi thriller; it’s a profound reflection on the nature of human worth in a system that sees people as disposable. It’s a story of resilience, of fighting back against forces that seek to devalue life. And in true Bong Joon-ho fashion, it’s a sharp, satirical look at the world we live in—whether on Earth or in the farthest reaches of space.
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