Emily Wilson reviews Mickey 17, released this year, starring Robert Pattinson.
From a wide variety of science fiction cinema to choose from, director Bong Joon Ho’s new film ‘Mickey 17’ emerges as a rising star. Robert Pattinson’s compelling dual performance invites the audience on an interstellar adventure filled with intense action and gripping visuals.
Set in the year 2054 on the icy expanse of planet Niflheim, where a human colony is attempting to establish a new civilization, Mickey 17 follows the character of Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” - tasked with testing out every possible death on Niflheim, and being ‘reprinted’ after each time with his memories intact. A cycle that takes a twist when Mickey 17 fails to die and returns to find his successor, Mickey 18, already in place. Now faced with the bizarre reality of coexisting with another version of himself, Mickey 17 begins to question his role in the system. As he struggles to assert his own identity and avoid being permanently deleted, he discovers unsettling truths about the corporation’s real motives and the expendability of human life in the pursuit of progress.
Pattinson delivers a standout performance, portraying both versions of Mickey with depth and charisma. He masterfully balances the film’s humor and tension, making the character’s existential crisis feel both relatable and entertaining. His ability to distinguish between Mickey 17 and Mickey 18—while still keeping them eerily similar—adds to the film’s intrigue. Robert Pattinson claims in an attempt to create a clear distinction between 17 and 18’s personalities, he based them off popular cartoon characters from his childhood.
It is safe to say Mickey 17 is a gripping story that should have you running to theatres after you have read this.
By Emily Wilson