The first reactions to Bong Joon Ho’s latest film,Mickey 17,have emerged. Coming off the acclaim of Best Picture winnerParasite, the director’s latest project is a sci-fi dark comedy based on Edward Ashton’s novelMickey7.The film stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, who becomes an “expendable” workeron a dangerous mission to colonize an icy planet—regenerating a new version of himself after each death. The ensemblecast ofMickey 17includes Toni Collette, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun.
Now, critics have taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their thoughts on Bong Joon Ho’s latest project,praisingMickey 17’s as a worthy successor toParasite—packed with the director’s signature social commentary and darkly comedic tone. The film premiered in London and is set for a U.S. theatrical release on March 7. Check out the first reactions below:
Erik Davisof Fandango andRotten Tomatoessaid Bong Joon Ho’s latest was"an absolute riot"which settles into “something more powerful and timely” in the latter half of the film. The writer also praised Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo for their performances, dubbing the former as the “most versatile [actor] working today.”
BJ ColangeloofSlashFilmpraised the film as Bong’s"best English-language film"yet, with a heartfelt yet darkly comedic take on"capitalism, colonization, and corruption"and a"sublime" cast.
The Nerds of Colorpodcast affirmed Bong’sMickey 17as"mind blowing,hilarious,““weird, smart, and wonderful,“and the director’s"most epic film to date!“They also praised Robert Pattinson’s performance as “stellar” alongside the ensemble cast, although likened the film more closely to the director’s filmOkjathanParasite.
Rachel LeishmanofThe Mary Suesaidthe film was everything they love about Bong Joon Ho’s workas a"weird, twisted"story with a critical lens on"colonization, consumerism, and more.” Leishman also praised Pattinson’s performance, saying"you can never have ‘too many’ Robert Pattinsons.”
Liam CrowleyatScreenRantpraised the film as a"chaotically charismatic, thought-provoking cautionary tale,“while applauding Pattinson and Ruffalo’s performances. However, they wished the film had “more traditional darkness” than black comedy.
Emily MurrayatGamesRadar+andSFXalso pointed out the specific brilliance of Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo’s performances, ultimately praising Bong Joon Ho’s follow-up toParasiteas a"thrilling, unexpected sci-fi drama"that feels “incredibly urgent to today’s world.”
Managing Editor ofDiscussingFilm,Andrew Salazar, wrote thatMickey 17was"both subtle and brash when needed,“comparing Bong Joon Ho’s comedic touch to that ofStarship Troopersdirector Paul Verhoeven. Salazar also commended Robert Pattinson’s dual performance as"crazy subversive and hilarious.”
Barry HertzatThe Globeand Mailmused that director Bong Joon Ho must’ve gotten the final cut on a"deeply chaotic tour into humanity’s worst instinct,“while applauding Mark Ruffalo’s performance as the “best Trump of our generation.”
What Mickey 17’s First Reactions Mean
Bong Joon Ho Continues His Bold Take On Power And People
Early reviews ofMickey 17suggestBong Joon Ho’s new sci-fi movieis yet another ambitious and unique entry in his filmography. With its mix of existential philosophy, black comedy, and sci-fi spectacle,the film appears to continue Bong’s tradition of dissecting power structures in unexpected ways. WhileParasitesolidified his status as one of the most acclaimed directors of the 21st century,Mickey 17marks his return to English-language filmmaking and the sci-fi genre, followingSnowpiercerandOkja.
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Despite its early praise,Mickey 17will premiere in the U.S. during a weak spot in the theatrical calendar. Studios often avoid releasing awards-contender films in March, as it falls betweenthe height of Oscar seasonand the start of summer blockbusters. In contrast,Parasitedebuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019, which built strong momentum along the festival circuit, leading to its historic Oscar win.Mickey 17’s placement could indicate a different awards trajectory or a focus on box office performancerather than Oscar recognition.
Our Take On Mickey 17’s Early Reviews
Genre-Bending, Thought-Provoking, And Utterly Bong
Bong Joon Ho continues to push boundaries withMickey 17, delivering a sci-fi spectacle that takes on existential dread with the director’s signature bite. Moreover, Robert Pattinson’s eccentric performance reaffirms his reputation as the most versatile star of the era. Whether the film reaches the same cultural impact asParasiteor carves its own path,Mickey 17is shaping up to be another fascinating and thought-provoking entry in Bong’s filmography.
Source: Various (see above)
