The first reviews are in for Mickey 17, the latest film from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite). The sci-fi thriller follows Mickey Barnes, an explorer on an icy planet whose body is reprinted after each death. But when he unexpectedly encounters a surviving clone of himself, things take an unforeseen turn.
Despite multiple delays—the film was pushed back four times—Mickey 17 has received a positive reception from critics. It currently holds an 86% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74 score on Metacritic.
Reviewers have drawn comparisons to Starship Troopers, calling the film a sharp critique of capitalism, colonization, and social inequality. However, some critics feel the movie is “goofy and a little inconsistent”, lacking the same political edge as Bong Joon-ho’s previous works.
One aspect that everyone agrees on is Robert Pattinson's performance. The actor shines in his unexpectedly comedic role, with TheWrap stating:
Pattinson could easily call comedy his true calling, here delivering an elastic physical performance as dexterous as Jim Carrey in his prime.
Mickey 17 is set to premiere on March 7.