receives incoming reviews following its first look after several premieres and film festivals. 

When the first reviews for the film were released, it received an adequate critics score of 76%. However, its rating drastically jumped in the last few days, currently holding an 88% rating with 32 reviews. 

This Bong Joon-ho film is based on the novel ‘Mickey7’ by Ashton Edwards, which follows multiple versions of a “disposable” employee (Pattinson) attempting to survive an interstellar mission to colonize a new planet. The film’s official synopsis reads, “A disposable employee is sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact.” Alongside Pattinson, the cast also includes Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, to name a few. 

The bar appeared to have been set considerably high for Mickey 17, as many expectations were based on Joon-ho’s captivating storytelling in prior films such as Parasite (2019) and Okja (2017). With a jumble of mixed reviews, a common theme that some critics noticed was that while the film includes various profound moments throughout, it fails to collectively work as a whole. “Worth the watch for the premise, its performances, and its technical execution, which, combined, still make for a compelling, enjoyable story despite the lack of cohesion in its themes,” wrote Serena Seghedoni of Loud and Clear Reviews. 

“The movie will no doubt have plenty of support among the auteurist faithful, but Bong’s storytelling, while undeniably playful, is also cluttered and messy, with too many superfluous diversions,” shared David Rooney for The Hollywood Reporter.  “Director Bong Joon-Ho’s wildest and weirdest dark comedy yet takes a deeper look at capitalism, corruption, colonization, and greed,” said Wendy Lee Szany of The Movie Couple. However, Szany also mentioned that some of the film’s scenes fell flat to the rest of the story, such as the final act. 

Andrew J. Salazer of Discussing Film compared Mickey 17 to Joon-ho’s other film Parasite, saying, “If Parasite was a commentary on how capitalism is the root of classism and social inequality, then Bong Joon-ho’s satirical Mickey 17 is a hilarious yet poignant look at a future where that same capitalist greed has bled people dry of all humanity.”

While the overall likeability of the storyline fluctuates through the audiences’ minds, many critics agree that Pattinson does a rather exceptional job in the film. “Pattinson is a revelation here… a hilarious performance that takes on new dimensions as the story progresses,” wrote Pete Hammond for Deadline. “This is clearly one of his best, if not riskiest screen outings, and the actor delivers.” 

Anticipating audiences can check out more Rotten Tomatoes reviews of Mickey 17 while waiting for it to hit theaters on March 7.