Bong Joon-ho’s latest film, Mickey 17, might not have had the most phenomenal or culturally-resounding run as his last film, Parasite, did in 2019, but that hasn’t stopped it from being a hit on streaming. It’s been 2 weeks since the film hit the streaming platform Max, and Mickey 17 has still managed to stay in the top 10 movies chart for the service. At the time of this writing, the sci-fi movie stands firm in the number four spot, showcasing that, while the movie may not have caught on in theaters, plenty of viewers at home are taking an interest in the complex story of identity, belonging, and the value of life (and death) in a world that takes both for granted.
Mickey 17 was initially released in theaters on Mar. 7, 2025, and is based on the novel Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton. The film tells the story of Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), an expendable worker in a space colony who undertakes the most dangerous and unwanted missions, as he can be cloned and reprinted upon his typically gruesome death. However, when Mickey survives a mission unbeknownst to his superiors, he finds himself face to face with a newly “printed” version of himself. The appearance of two Mickeys throws the space colony into chaos and, eventually, a revolution from the tyrannical leader of the expedition, Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo).
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Upon its initial release, Mickey 17 received mostly positive reviews, garnering a 76% “Fresh” rating on the review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, the movie would not be a financial success for Warner Bros., given that production and marketing costs totaled $198 million, meaning the film would need to gross between $240 million and $300 million to break even. Ultimately, the movie grossed a total of $132 million worldwide.
Due to its box office struggles, Mickey 17 became available for digital purchase shortly after its release and ultimately ended up on Max only two months after the movie hit theaters. However, the film’s financial performance is in no way indicative of its quality. Bong Joon-ho remains an incredible filmmaker, and Mickey 17 is a reminder of the director’s immense talent and eye for thought-provoking imagery and storytelling. Moreover, while Parasite is a black comedy thriller, Mickey 17 marks the director’s return to the sci-fi genre that he previously explored in films like Okja and Snowpiercer.
The high-concept sci-fi premise, paired with a phenomenal dual performance from Robert Pattinson as both versions of Mickey, makes Mickey 17 a film more than worth your time on streaming. While the movie would not receive anywhere near the amount of attention or acclaim that Parasite had, Bong Joon-ho’s latest is filled to the brim with the same sort of style and quality that has become expected from the director. Although it has been five years since his last film, Mickey 17 was more than worth the wait as a unique blockbuster offering in a sea of remakes, sequels, and reboots.
Warner Bros.’ commitment to filmmaker-driven projects, such as Mickey 17 and Sinners, has paid off creatively. However, the financial reward wasn’t as substantial with Mickey 17 as it was with Sinners, which not only recouped its budget but also became one of the decade’s most profitable films based on an original idea. Although Mickey 17 is based on a novel, the film remains an impressive blockbuster that features numerous changes made by Bong Joon-ho, allowing the filmmaker to leave his mark on the story and characters, which have clearly proven resonant with streaming audiences, as evidenced by the film’s ongoing popularity.
Source: Max
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
