Mickey 17
★★★★
It is a real shame that Mickey 17 bombed at the box office, because Bong Joon Ho’s follow-up to his masterpiece Parasite is a whole lot of fun. He brings his unmistakable personality to a story that blends sci-fi world-building, absurdist humor and sharp political commentary—basically, the ingredients he’s always cooked with, just in a new flavor.
I don’t know why I continue to be surprised when a creature shows up in one of his movies. Maybe it’s the lingering influence of Parasite or Memories of Murder, but I always forget how much Joon Ho loves using fictional creatures as metaphors for larger societal issues. It’s right there in Okja. It’s literally the plot of The Host. And yet, when a creature plays a significant role in Mickey 17, it caught me off guard in the best way.
What makes the movie work so well is how accessible it is. Don’t let the sci-fi concept throw you. Joon Ho builds a dystopian future that still feels human, lived in and emotionally grounded. And the cast? They are clearly having a blast. Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette all go big, weird and fearless. If you’re an actor who loves taking chances, maybe even going a little unhinged, Bong Joon Ho is the perfect playground.
Pattinson especially continues to prove how versatile he can be. His take on Mickey includes a vocal choice that might grate on some viewers, but for me it fit the off-kilter tone of the character and the entire world around him.
Does the movie overstay its welcome a bit? Sure. And yes, the social commentary is delivered with a heavier hand than Parasite or Snowpiercer. But honestly? I kind of love Bong’s blender approach, throwing sci-fi, slapstick, satire and genuine emotion together and somehow making the mixture feel seamless. The physical comedy alone is hilarious, and the visual effects are folded in with such confidence that it all feels effortless.
My hope is that people don’t look at the box office returns and assume the film itself is a misfire. Mickey 17 has the potential to grow legs, especially as it settles on streaming. I would not be surprised if it develops a cult following just like several of Bong’s earlier films.
And while Parasite may go down as the film that made him a household name, it wasn’t a one-off lightning strike. Bong Joon Ho is, at this point, operating on the same tier as directors like Spielberg or Scorsese. His movies are original, entertaining and unmistakably his—strange, bold, human and wildly creative.
Mickey 17 fits right into that legacy, even if audiences don’t realize it yet.
