Bong Joon-ho premiered his highly anticipated sci-fi dark comedy Mickey 17 in London, marking his first film since the Oscar-winning Parasite. Based on the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, the film follows Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson, a former pastry chef who becomes an “expendable” on a space colonization mission. Tasked with performing life-threatening duties, he must die repeatedly and regenerate as a new version of himself.
Bong described the film as an exploration of what it means to live a truly human life. Mickey, a character who is almost too kind for his own good, faces constant misfortune but ultimately embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Bong hopes that audiences, particularly those with demanding jobs, will find solace in Mickey’s struggle for selfhood.
Following Parasite’s historic success at the 2020 Academy Awards, where it became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture and earned Bong additional Oscars for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, expectations for his next project have been high. However, Bong remained unfazed by the pressure, explaining that he simply continued his filmmaking process as usual.
Mickey 17 immerses viewers in a bizarre world where Mickey’s assignments include exposure to a deadly virus and encounters with part-insect, part-mammal creatures. Pattinson found the script refreshingly unpredictable, noting that it defied the conventional patterns of sci-fi storytelling. He praised Bong’s unique approach to narrative and reality, calling the project thrilling to be a part of.
The film features a star-studded cast, including Toni Collette, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun. With its blend of dark humor, existential themes, and Bong’s distinctive storytelling style, Mickey 17 is set to captivate audiences worldwide.
The cinematic rollout begins on February 28 in South Korea, with international releases following from March 5. Fans eagerly await Bong’s latest vision, which promises to deliver an inventive and thought-provoking experience.
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