WARNING: Major spoilers for Mickey 17 ahead.
In Bong Joon-ho’s latest film, Mickey 17, audiences are treated to three distinct title cards that appear at pivotal moments throughout the story. This sci-fi comedy marks the acclaimed director’s follow-up to his Academy Award-winning masterpiece, Parasite. Following several schedule revisions, Mickey 17 is now one of the most anticipated cinematic releases of 2025. While it hasn’t garnered the same level of critical recognition as its predecessor, the film achieved a respectable Certified Fresh rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Financially, Mickey 17 fared well, grossing $127 million globally against a $118 million budget. This success signifies the fourth consecutive box office triumph for leading actor Robert Pattinson, who embodies multiple iterations of his character. Initially introduced as Mickey 17—supposedly dead—Pattinson also takes on the role of Mickey 18, created as his replacement. Despite the character’s design as dispensable, Mickey faces immense suffering, brutality, and discrimination, primarily driven by the disdain of his space colony’s leader, Kenneth Marshall.
Understanding the Three Title Cards of Mickey 17
Reflecting Mickey’s Character Growth
The film showcases three title cards strategically located at the beginning, middle, and conclusion of the narrative. These title cards serve as markers of story progression and character evolution as Mickey copes with the complexities of existing alongside his duplicates. The initial title appears for Mickey 17, followed by another for Mickey 18, coinciding with the introduction of this new character. In a poignant conclusion, the film culminates with a revised title card for Mickey Barnes, affirming his status as the last and singular version of himself.
The final title card signals that Mickey Barnes represents the ultimate reincarnation, despite the demise of the original Mickey 1 (or 0). This ending diverges from the source material, the novel Mickey 7, in which the carbon printing machine is not destroyed. As the narrative unfolds and Mickey 18 meets his end, Mickey 17 unequivocally assumes the identity of the one true Mickey Barnes.
Bong Joon-ho on the Significance of the Final Title Card
Mickey’s Journey as a Pivotal Transformation
Bong Joon-ho elaborated on his creative intention behind utilizing three title cards in Mickey 17. He remarked, “The narrative is predominantly anchored by Mickey 17. When the bell tolls and the title transitions to 18, we witness Mickey navigating various trials to ultimately rediscover his identity and attain self-acceptance as Mickey Barnes.”This perspective aligns with his vision of Mickey 17 as a coming-of-age tale, chronicling Mickey’s journey toward realizations often associated with adulthood. “I chose the number 18 because it symbolizes the age when individuals are commonly recognized as adults in most cultures,”he added.