The 2025 Berlinale Film Festival lit up with excitement over the weekend as Bong Joon-ho’s much-anticipated film, Mickey 17, made its international premiere. This sci-fi satire features Robert Pattinson, continuing the trend of the festival showcasing big-name talents and innovative storytelling. The film, produced by Warner Bros and adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, plunges viewers deep within the realms of cloning and existential questions.
Set against the backdrop of the year 2054, Mickey 17 follows Mickey Barnes, portrayed by Pattinson, who desperately seeks to escape his dreary life on Earth, plagued by debt and disappointment. The film presents the grim reality of his existence as fate leads him to become one of many expendable clones on a colony mission to the icy planet Niflheim. Audiences at the festival were treated to the quirky premise where Mickey can die—and repeatedly does—but returns, preserved by cloning technology.
During the film's premiere at the Berlinale, Pattinson’s charm reflected on the red carpet, where he generously interacted with fans, signing autographs and posing for seemingly endless selfies, even braving the low temperatures. Meanwhile, longtime collaborator Tilda Swinton, another Bong Joon-ho favorite, attended the festivities to receive the festival’s honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement.
Mickey 17, which runs for 137 minutes, garnered enthusiastic reactions from festival-goers. Upon its conclusion, the audience erupted with applause and standing ovations, indicating strong early support. Embedded within its entertainment value, the film explores the morally dubious nature of cloning, posing questions of identity and existence amid its dark humor.
Pattinson expressed his admiration for Bong Joon-ho, stating, “Working with Bong has always been on my bucket list. He’s kind of a Mount Rushmore director for me. When he called, I said yes before I even saw the script.” This sentiment was echoed by his co-stars, including Naomi Ackie and Toni Collette, who equally praised the director's unique vision and ability to create compelling, layered characters.
The story reveals the vulnerabilities of Mickey as he confronts the unyielding corporate machine overseeing his expendable status. The comedic undercurrents juxtaposed with the dystopian themes are compellingly illustrated through Mickey's misadventures, including encounters with his duplicate, Mickey 18—another unforeseen consequence of the cloning process. The two versions struggle for supremacy, leading to unexpected alliances and deepening tensions, particularly against the backdrop of their looming authoritarian leader, Kenneth Marshall, played by Mark Ruffalo.
Bong Joon-ho's portrayal of Marshall has drawn comparisons to contemporary political figures, incorporating elements of the absurdity he sees within today’s leadership styles. Pattinson plays the naive and compassionate Mickey, contrasting sharply with the aggressive and self-serving characteristics of Marshall. This dynamic serves to reinforce the film's satirical edge, critiquing modern socio-political environments.
At the press conference following the premiere, Bong insisted his character inspirations did not directly associate with current politicians but rather symbolize broader historical themes, saying, “I created this character inspired by past figures, yet since history always repeats itself, the modern resonance is important.”
This clever concoction of humor and serious social critique is evident throughout the film, with moments of levity touching on serious themes of morality and governance. The aesthetic choices, from set design to costume, contribute to the tangible feeling of alienation and survival, echoing past triumphs of the filmmaker’s style, such as Snowpiercer and Parasite.
Critics have mixed feelings about Mickey 17, with some praising its ambitious narrative and thought-provoking themes, and others finding fault with pacing and depth. A review noted, “The film begins with great momentum, capturing interest immediately, but loses steam toward its center, struggling to maintain the intensity expected from such distinguished filmmakers.” Nevertheless, Pattinson’s performance as he navigates both physical and emotional challenges has been singled out as exemplary, helping root the film’s often absurd premise within human experience.
Blending cutting-edge sci-fi with incisive humor, Mickey 17 presents the audience with multiple layers of exploration around what it means to be human at the intersection of technology and societal structures. Bong Joon-ho, ever the insightful observer of world talents and existential dilemmas, leads viewers to contemplate on-screen versions of themselves as well as the real-world analogues they echo.
With its public release slated for March 6, 2025, audiences worldwide are eager to see how the film wields its unique blend of satire and science fiction, prompting reflections on contemporary society through the lens of speculative futures.