With Donald Trump once again in the White House, a significant portion of the media and artistic content we engage with will likely serve as a commentary on him and his backers. Some expressions will be subtle—Bong Joon Ho’s *Mickey 17* is not.
The esteemed director of *Parasite* is back with a futuristic fable set in a world ravaged by environmental disaster. In this bleak future, a failed politician—known for his distinctive pursed-lip statements—sends a spaceship into the cosmos populated with his loyal followers. They wear red baseball caps emblazoned with his catchphrase, aspiring to create a “pure planet” in the stars.
The analogies to the Trump era in America are clear, which may render *Mickey 17* less of an escape and more of a commentary on the current reality. However, the film is not named after its self-absorbed billionaire villain. Instead, it focuses on an average individual who finds himself on an extraordinary path.
### Robert Pattinson Infuses *Jackass* Spirit into *Mickey 17*
At its heart, *Mickey 17* narrates the tale of Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), a well-intentioned yet hapless individual who takes on a job as an “expendable” to evade a merciless loan shark. Unaware of the fine print, he inadvertently agrees to serve as the colony’s human crash test dummy—dying repeatedly for scientific purposes, only to be revived with all his memories intact.
In spite of his grim circumstances, Mickey creates a life with Nasha (Naomi Ackie), a spirited soldier. However, when a mission goes awry, he returns to find not just his love but another version of himself—Mickey 18 (also portrayed by Pattinson). The crew presumed Mickey 17 was deceased and produced a replacement. Unfortunately, having “multiples” is deemed hazardous, as their simultaneous existence could result in both being eradicated.
Much like Tom Cruise in *Edge of Tomorrow*, Pattinson embraces physical comedy, rendering his repeated deaths darkly amusing. Yet, unlike Cruise’s cocky lead, Mickey 17 embodies more of a loveable buffoon—similar to a *Jackass* stunt performer.
In a chat with *Empire*, Pattinson revealed that he initially aimed to channel *Jackass* stars Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville in his portrayal, although Bong ultimately dismissed the concept. Nonetheless, Pattinson’s raspy, open-hearted performance may evoke memories of Steve-O’s reckless appeal. Mickey isn’t heroic—he’s simply glad to be of use, never thinking he’s capable of anything more. In contrast, Mickey 18 is defiant and unpredictable, resistant to submission to authority. Their conflict triggers a cascade of events that disrupts the colony fundamentally.
### Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette Embody Trump-Era Excess
Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette portray Kenneth Marshall and his wife, Ylfa—a couple driven by ambition and greed who indulge in their affluence while the spaceship’s occupants survive on rationed gray sludge. Their extravagant attire, embellished with shiny rivets and vibrant colors, sharply contrasts the drab uniforms worn by the working class.
As seen in *Snowpiercer* and *Okja*, Bong Joon Ho draws attention to the rift between the privileged elite—who feel entitled to everything—and the struggling masses, who are left to subsist on remnants.
Ruffalo fully embraces the absurdity of his role, sporting unnaturally white veneers and mimicking Trump’s distinctive sneer and erratic mannerisms. Collette’s Ylfa, while less overtly linked to contemporary politics, embodies the excesses of consumerism, fixated on luxurious items like ornate furnishings and exotic sauces. Their heightened performances emphasize Bong’s critique of colonialism and unbridled authority.
### *Mickey 17* Delivers a Message of Hope
Bong Joon Ho’s films frequently navigate cultural confrontations through dark humor and genre spectacle, making challenging themes more accessible. Mickey 17 himself is a tender-hearted protagonist, ridiculed by his more cynical comrades. Yet, the film’s ensemble—including Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Patsy Ferran—enriches the narrative with charm, weaving in moments of risqué encounters, recreational substances, and animal sounds.
The film also presents an alien species—a fascinating hybrid of pill bugs and elephants—who, like Mickey, are underestimated but ultimately powerful.
Mickey 17 isn’t particularly intelligent, strong, or extraordinary. He’s merely an ordinary guy who has been dealt a tough hand. Yet in this narrative, he transforms into a hero, compelled to adapt or face extinction. However, survival doesn’t necessitate he harden like Mickey 18. Instead, Bong suggests that resilience can stem from embracing one’s humanity rather than yielding to brutality.
Rather than a simplistic sci-fi action flick, *Mickey 17* merges political satire with genre-bending creativity.