During a human expedition to colonize space, Mickey 17, a so-called “expendable” employee, is sent to explore an ice planet.
For a long time, Robert Pattinson was best known as Edward Cullen from the TWILIGHT films—a part that brought him worldwide fame but also threatened to limit his career. Determined not to be typecast, Pattinson deliberately shifted towards independent cinema, choosing roles in movies like “The Rover,” “The Lost City of Z,” “High Life,” and “The Lighthouse.” Although these films didn’t always connect with mass audiences, each one underscored his desire to take on demanding characters and proved he was more than just a brooding vampire heartthrob.
Pattinson’s latest project, Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi thriller “Mickey 17,” continues this pattern. He plays two versions of the same person—clones—in a story featuring Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette. The film, set in 2050, introduces Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) and his friend Timo (Steven Yeun), who join a space crew headed to the frozen world of Niflheim. Their real goal, though, is to get away from a deadly loan shark. Timo signs on as a shuttle pilot, while Mickey becomes an “Expendable”—someone assigned to hazardous tasks. Whenever an Expendable dies, their memories are downloaded into a newly created clone so that the mission can continue without interruption.
Throughout the mission, Mickey repeatedly dies on perilous jobs but is revived in new bodies, each reincarnation earning a higher number. On Niflheim, he’s tasked with testing the toxic atmosphere, and after several fatal attempts—each one helping scientists develop a new vaccine so that the ship’s inhabitants can breathe the planet’s air—Mickey 17 is told to capture the local “Creepers,” strange and unsettling creatures. When Mickey 17 falls into a crevice and is thought dead, the crew activates Mickey 18.
A twist unfolds when the Creepers actually rescue Mickey 17, enabling him to return to the spaceship, only to discover that Mickey 18 has taken his place. The two clones, though identical at first, begin to differ: Mickey 17 is careful and diplomatic, while Mickey 18 is angry and confrontational. Their rivalry eventually shifts into a shaky partnership, as they secretly switch off on dangerous missions in hopes of staying alive.
Their covert arrangement is threatened by the mission’s commander, Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), who has vowed to eliminate any duplicate clones. The stakes rise even higher when Marshall, partly influenced by his wife Ylfa’s (Toni Collette) fascination with the Creepers, launches an attack on the alien species. Forced into a corner, both Mickeys must work together to defend the native creatures.
Director Bong Joon-ho, known for previous science fiction films “The Host” and “Snowpiercer,” expands his reach by setting this narrative deep in space. The cast gives standout performances, particularly Ruffalo and Collette, whose characters are marked by arrogance and questionable morals. Pattinson shines in his paired roles, capturing both Mickey 17’s sincerity and Mickey 18’s unpredictability, and exploring ideas about identity and survival.
The film’s special effects are impressive, convincingly allowing two versions of Pattinson to share the screen. While some have compared it unfavorably to Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed “Parasite,” “Mickey 17” carves out its own identity. Pattinson’s layered performance further cements his growth as an actor, showing just how much range he’s developed since his early blockbuster days.
Now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD, May 13th
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