This article is part of ScreenRant‘s exclusive 2025 movie preview. Stay tuned for the complete feature coming next week!
A striking new image from Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated film, Mickey 17, has recently been unveiled. This upcoming sci-fi dark comedy, inspired by Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, centers on Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson), who enlists as a disposable worker on a remote icy colony outside Earth. Surviving a perilous expedition, Mickey 17 discovers his own replacement, setting the stage for an intriguing narrative. The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, and is slated for release on April 18, 2025.
ScreenRant is excited to present an exclusive first look at Mickey encountering his clone, Mickey 18, in a shadowy chamber. Pattinson brilliantly captures the mix of curiosity and dread that comes from meeting one’s exact duplicate, portraying an incredible tension in this eerie, metal-walled environment, rich with industrial details.
Why This Image Exemplifies Bong Joon-ho’s Vision for Mickey 17
A Sci-Fi Return That Resonates with Key Themes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osYpGSz_0i4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osYpGSz_0i4
In Mickey 17, Mickey Barnes wrestles with the secret of his twin existence amid escalating tension between the native alien inhabitants of Niflheim and the struggling human settlers he serves. The recently released image not only offers a glimpse of an engaging, extraterrestrial plot but also dives into profound discussions regarding identity and the instinct for self-preservation. Having won an Academy Award for Best Picture with his unforgettable film Parasite, Bong seems ready to infuse Mickey 17 with his signature blend of sharp social critique and innovative storytelling.
Similar to how Parasite scrutinized class disparities through an enthralling family saga, Mickey 17 intersects themes of labor and personal identity as Pattinson navigates life as a replaceable worker—ultimately revealing the nature of disposability in contemporary society. According to Ashton, Bong intends to put his unique spin on the source material, which he embraces, calling the director “a genius”(via Nerdist).
Bong’s previous explorations of labor exploitation are consistently marked by a stark honesty, and the harrowing journey between Mickey and his clone promises to follow suit.
Excitement Surrounding the Director-Actor Collaboration in Mickey 17
Exploring Identity Through Dual Roles
Bong Joon-ho’s filmography is renowned for its capacity to stimulate deep thought while providing entertainment, and Mickey 17 is poised to be another example of this excellence. The collaboration between Bong and Pattinson, known for his roles in darker narratives like The Lighthouse and Good Time, promises a riveting exploration of identity and survival across the cosmos.
With a high-concept narrative, a gifted cast, and Bong’s visionary direction, Mickey 17 is shaping up to be one of the must-see films of 2025.