Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mickey 17’ Explores Class Struggles in Sci-Fi Arena

BERLIN, Germany — Acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho premiered his latest film, Mickey 17, at the Berlin Film Festival, revealing a unique blend of sci-fi and dark comedy that critiques capitalist society. Starring Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, the film explores the life of an ‘expendable’ worker who is cloned each time he dies in the service of a new colonization mission on the planet Niflheim.

Set against the backdrop of a deeply flawed socio-economic landscape, Mickey 17, based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, delves into existential questions about purpose and worth in a world that reduces individuals to mere commodities. The storyline follows Barnes as he escapes debt by joining a mission, only to face the grim reality of being a disposable worker, replaced each time he meets his end.

Pattinson expressed his approach to the character’s accent, citing inspiration from actor Steve Buscemi’s work in the 1996 film Fargo. “I think I realized today what I was doing,” he commented, noting that his performance is intertwined with humor and absurdity, traits synonymous with Bong’s filmmaking style.

Alongside him, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, the latter portraying Kenneth Marshall, a character whose narrative mirrors the manipulative strategies often seen in modern-day politics.

Bong integrates elements of social satire, maintaining a focus on class dynamics throughout the film. Mickey’s interactions with the indigenous ‘creepers’ introduce additional layers to the critique, highlighting the stark contrasts between the colonizers and the people they seek to exploit.

The film bridges Bong’s thematic concerns evident in his previous works like Snowpiercer and Okja, with Mickey 17 serving as a darkly comedic reflection on capitalism’s effects on the working class. As characters grapple with existential dread, wit punctuates their struggles, creating a nuanced narrative that balances seriousness with levity.

“Even on my 17th go-round, I still really hate dying,” Mickey laments, underscoring the repetitive cycle of life and death faced by those trapped in systems of exploitation. With its myriad themes and complex character dynamics, Mickey 17 looks poised to resonate with audiences navigating today’s socio-political climate.

The film, which runs 137 minutes, is set for theatrical release on March 7.