When the general population cries out for “original” movies rather than reboots or more franchise installments – what are they expecting?
There are a few franchises that could go on for decades and I’d still be an avid fan.
However, I also enjoy movies based on true events or already-written novels.
Take for example “Mickey 17” – it’s out in theaters now and definitely has a unique marriage between sci-fi and dark humor.
I’m not even going to touch on the possible societal commentary portrayed, but more on humanity’s need to find meaning in their life.
Mickey happens to be a rather blank and boring man escaping his earthly troubles only to find a host of others in space.
But, he also finds love and himself, so there’s growth despite being supremely expendable.
The movie also reminded me a bit of “Snowpiercer” (2013), “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014), and “District 9” (2009).
Mickey 17 is a 2025 science fiction black comedy film written, produced, and directed by Bong Joon-ho, based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton.
The film stars Robert Pattinson in the title role, alongside Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Anamaria Vartolomei, and Ian Hanmore.
It clocks in at 137 minutes long and is rated R for violent content, language throughout, sexual content and drug material.
In the year 2054, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) and his friend Timo (Yeun) are financially destitute after a failed business venture.
Unable to repay a murderous loan shark Darius Blank (Hanmore), the pair flee by signing up as crew for a spaceship that leaves Earth to colonize the planet Niflheim - Timo as a shuttle pilot and Mickey as the spaceship’s only “Expendable”.
Using Earth-banned technology to clone Mickey and restore his memories, Mickey is treated as disposable, given lethal assignments, and regenerated after death.
During the voyage, a romance develops between Mickey and security agent Nasha (Ackie).
Four years later, the spaceship arrives at snowy Niflheim.
Using several Mickeys sequentially, the spaceship’s scientists develop a vaccine against Niflheim’s atmospheric pathogens.
Mickey 17, the seventeenth Mickey iteration, is tasked to capture Niflheim’s caterpillar-like lifeform “Creeper” for analysis.
He falls into a fissure in the ice, beyond the reach of Timo, who leaves and reports Mickey 17’s death.
The creepers arrive and collectively push Mickey 17 out of the fissure.
Mickey 17 returns to the spaceship and meets the recently generated Mickey 18, who is more aggressive.
As the expedition’s leader, politician Kenneth Marshall (Ruffalo), has vowed to kill any “Multiples” simultaneously living clones.
Mickey 18 tries to kill Mickey 17, who resists, suggesting that the Mickeys live by secretly rotating duties, meals, and deaths.
Mickey 18 then tries to kill Timo, but is interrupted and leaves with Nasha.
Mickey 17 is brought to dinner with Marshall, his wife Ylfa (Collette), and security agent Kai (Vartolomei).
Mickey 17 suffers severe pain after being served experimental meat and being treated with experimental painkillers.
Kai intervenes to stop Marshall from executing Mickey 17 then later tries her hand at wooing Mickey 17, but he ends up fleeing instead.
Nasha learns of the Mickeys and accepts them both however, Kai discovers the Mickeys, and goes to report them.
At the same time, Mickey 17 informs Mickey 18 what happened at dinner and an enraged Mickey 18 decides to kill Marshall.
While I couldn’t stand Mickey 17’s whiny personality, things really do pick up once he and Mickey 18 are fighting for survival and Nasa’s love.
Overall, the ending might surprise you, but this movie totally earned its R rating!
I think it’s best to see this strange flick on the big screen so you can appreciate the special effects better.
But, definitely skip it if you’re squeamish or not a dark comedy fan.
