What to Expect from Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mickey 17’: Key Insights and Ending Analysis

On January 20, a highly anticipated preview of Bong Joon-ho’s forthcoming film, Mickey 17, made waves as it provided insights into the director’s first cinematic venture in six years, following the Oscar-winning Parasite in 2019. The film is adapted from Ashton Edward’s novel Mickey 7 and ventures into a futuristic realm rife with existential themes.

Exploring the Expendable Human

The initial 20-minute screening primarily centered on Mickey’s origin as an “Expendable,”a term denoting disposable humans engineered to undertake perilous missions on far-off planets. A fascinating aspect of these Expendables is their remarkable regeneration capability: they come back to life with their memories intact, a process Bong Joon-ho refers to as “human printing.” However, a significant limitation exists: only one iteration of an Expendable can be active at any given moment, creating a compelling conflict within the narrative when this rule is inevitably breached.

The preview indicates that while Bong remains faithful to the novel’s skeleton, he infuses it with his unique creative twists. One prominent alteration is Mickey’s backstory; in the book, he is depicted as a historian, whereas the film reimagines him as a struggling entrepreneur who previously owned a macaron shop alongside his friend Berto (portrayed by Steven Yeun). This rendition of Mickey has faced death 17 times—far more than the book’s version—having chosen to become an Expendable to escape relentless debt collectors.

The alteration in Mickey’s background illustrates Bong Joon-ho’s intention to craft a relatable, working-class hero. This choice resonates with his signature thematic explorations of social hierarchies, critiques of capitalism, and the often troubling perception of human life as expendable.

During one particularly harrowing scene from the preview, Mickey is assigned to measure radiation levels, enduring excruciating injuries as his body sustains horrific damage. Despite his agony, his superiors relentlessly push for results, epitomizing a culture that prioritizes objectives over human suffering.

Bong Joon-ho artfully intertwines this somber commentary with his unique blend of humor and satire. Although he insists that Mickey 17 should not be viewed as a political film, he readily admits its underlying layers of socio-political critique, reminiscent of his previous masterpieces.

The new trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s ‘MICKEY 17′. In theaters on March 7. pic.twitter.com/TB5kkC3XFn

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Innovative Creatures and an Ensemble Cast

Another intriguing aspect of the film is its introduction of creatures. While Edward’s novel offers limited insights into the alien beings, Bong Joon-ho’s creative vision brings them to vivid life, depicting them as gigantic, ash-colored entities with ambiguous features. This artistic direction is reminiscent of monstrous figures found in his earlier works, such as The Host and Okja.

As Mickey, Robert Pattinson delivers an immersive performance that captures the essence of an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary challenges. His familiarity with Korean audiences, thanks to his role in The Batman, positions him perfectly for this role, reminiscent of the everyman portrayals usually seen with Song Kang-ho in Bong’s earlier films. Furthermore, Mark Ruffalo takes on his first villainous role, adding depth as a shrewd politician.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Mickey 17 will be its conclusion. Traditionally, Bong Joon-ho’s films tend to finish on somber notes; however, the original novel concludes on a hopeful note. In Mickey 7, the protagonist resolves to cease uploading his consciousness and to embrace his humanity. If this optimistic ending is maintained in the film, it could represent a remarkable shift for Bong, potentially delivering a powerful twist.

The full version of Mickey 17 is set to debut at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 17. Audiences can anticipate its arrival in South Korea on February 28 and in North America on March 7, with age ratings of 15+ and R, respectively.

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