Bong Joon-ho’s 'Mickey 17' Brings Satirical Sci-Fi to Theaters

The acclaimed director's latest film explores themes of exploitation and identity through a dystopian lens, earning mixed critical reactions.

Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson, debuts in theaters as a dystopian space opera blending satire and science fiction.
The story follows Mickey Barnes, a 'replaceable' worker in a human colony on a frozen planet, grappling with cloning technology and ethical dilemmas.
Mark Ruffalo portrays a tyrannical billionaire whose character draws comparisons to figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, adding political undertones to the narrative.
Critics praise the film's visual artistry and Pattinson's performance but note uneven storytelling and heavy-handed symbolism in its social commentary.
Mickey 17 is based on Edward Ashton’s novel and continues Bong Joon-ho’s exploration of class, power, and humanity, though some find it less impactful than his previous works.