Mickey 17 by Bong Joon Ho

Mickey 17
Mickey 17


Mickey 17 on Afdah, directed by Bong Joon Ho, is a science fiction satire that thoughtfully explores themes of politics, class struggle, and environmental issues. True to Bong Joon Ho’s signature mix of humor and tension, the film reflects the complexities of human nature.

Set shortly, the narrative follows Mickey Barnes, who joins a colonization mission to Niflheim as an "expendable." His role involves participating in perilous trials that typically end in death. Remarkably, each time he dies, a new version of him, complete with all his memories, is created.

While the concept, inspired by Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, is intriguing, the film does not fully capitalize on its potential. The exaggerated portrayal of certain characters detracts from the overall narrative, and some themes feel somewhat contrived. Robert Pattinson's casting as the lead seems more influenced by the script than by his performance; his portrayal lacks depth and quickly becomes unremarkable. Mark Ruffalo’s depiction of Kenneth Marshall is overly exaggerated, bordering on caricature, while Toni Collette’s character, Ylfa, with her peculiar fixation on sauces, risks becoming irritating.

The initial half of the film is engaging and showcases Bong Joon Ho’s unique style, characterized by meticulous detail, creativity, and the promise of an engaging story. However, following this strong start, the film suffers from a lack of momentum and direction. Certain sequences feel repetitive and prolonged. The overall effect is disjointed and uneven, as if the director filmed scenes without a cohesive vision, hoping they would eventually coalesce. What began as a promising journey ultimately results in a peculiar and somewhat disappointing experience.

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