Audiences are anticipating director fresh sci-fi flick, , which features as the lead, alongside (, ), (, ), and (, ). Despite the impressive cast and crew, the film has endured multiple delays since its original March 2024 release date. But finally, Mickey 17 is arriving in theaters on March 7th. In true Pattinson fashion, he's taking on a unique, quirky role that has a whole new persona. His character, Mickey, is continuously sent on dangerous expeditions, and each time he dies, he is regenerated into a new identical body with his memories preserved. Spunky and awkward with a nasally voice, Mickey is a much different persona than any character Pattinson has depicted before.

His performance will only be enhanced by his costars mentioned, as well as the likes of , , and . But if waiting for Mickey 17's theatrical release feels like an eternity, there's another space-themed Pattinson film from 2018 that deserves all its praise. but also intricate and incomparable. It's much darker compared to Mickey 17's overall atmosphere, but shares a similarly fantastical cosmic atmosphere, and explores humanity through a unique lens.

High Life revolves around Monte (Pattinson), who is one of several death-row criminals sent out to space with a mission of extracting energy from a black hole to carry out their sentences. It also features as Dibs, the scientist overseeing the crew and mission, as Boyse, as Tcherny, as Nansen, and as Mink. As time passes, problems begin to arise and escalate, largely due to Dibs' obsession with procreation and the experiments she conducts on the prisoners. The story is told in a non-linear fashion, which adds an extra layer of mystery to the situation, and depth to the characters and their predicaments. Half of the film shows the crew dynamics, while the other half shows the aftermath, where Monte is completely isolated alongside his child, Willow ().

Pattinson as Monte delivers an unforgettable performance, and his character's growth throughout the film's timeline is heartwarming, and also a sharp contrast from his fellow prisoners' arcs and downfalls. High Life balances primitive human instinct and survival with futuristic, unnecessary endeavors. It also illustrates the contrast between the worst of humanity, like violence, imprisonment, death, and pain, with the best of it, like love, freedom, innocence, and hope. And while Monte is impartial to death prior to the birth of Willow, he does everything he can to keep them alive after she is born, as she finally gives him a purpose.

Many sci-fi films feature themes of existentialism, like (1972), (2013) or (2014). High Life is no exception, and in many ways is a narrative about the power struggle between civilization and nature. It thoughtfully explores themes of violence, desire, repressed sexuality, survival, and the human condition, all while on a single spacecraft. , like female-on-male rape, black hole exploration, and prison sentences in space to aid its perspective.

While Pattinson is a perfect casting choice for Monte, Binoche as Dibs is equally captivating and complex, with an innovative character arc. Her character is an antagonist, but sometimes redeeming, showing that much of humanity isn't black or white, but somewhere in between. This applies to other characters as well, and, as mentioned, is especially applicable to Monte. Overall, High Life is tragic, disturbing, and violent, yet poetic, touching, and beautiful. So if you're looking for a fresh, imaginative sci-fi film while waiting for Mickey 17 to hit theaters, give High Life a try.