The first trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming movie Mickey 17 has been released, and it has left many fans intrigued by its unusual storyline.
Mickey 17 is based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton and features an all-star cast including Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette.
The movie is scheduled for release in January 2025, and with its dark humor and thought-provoking themes, it promises to be a memorable experience.
The Source Material: Edward Ashton’s Mickey7
Mickey 17 is adapted from Ashton’s science fiction novel Mickey7, which takes place in the distant future. The book introduces readers to Mickey Barnes, a man assigned to help establish a human colony on the ice-covered planet Niflheim.
Mickey belongs to a group of workers known as “Expendables,” individuals tasked with the most dangerous jobs because they can be cloned if they die.
When an Expendable dies, a new version of them is created, carrying the same memories up to a certain point. This ensures the continuity of the mission without losing important skills and knowledge.
Mickey’s role as an Expendable is far from glamorous. It’s a job that highlights the utilitarian nature of human expansion into space, where individuals like Mickey are seen as disposable tools.
Still from Mickey 17 (Credit: Plan B Entertainment)
Despite the life-and-death situations he constantly faces, Mickey continues his mission with the understanding that he will always return—although each time, a part of him is lost or altered in the process.
The Conflict: Mickey7 vs. Mickey8
The main conflict in Mickey7 arises when the seventh version of Mickey is believed to be dead after falling into a crevasse during a mission.
His friend Berto and girlfriend Nasha report his death to the mission leader, Hieronymous Marshall. As a result, a new clone, Mickey 8, is created. However, Mickey7 survives the accident and returns to the colony, only to discover that another version of himself now exists.
The presence of two Expendables at the same time is considered a serious problem. If the colony’s authorities discover both Mickeys, they will likely be “recycled” for protein to prevent any confusion or conflict.
This forces Mickey7 to go into hiding, trying to keep his existence a secret from his friends, superiors, and even the other version of himself.
Meanwhile, the harsh conditions on Niflheim worsen, and the survival of the colony becomes increasingly uncertain. Mickey7 must balance the need to stay hidden while also finding a way to help save the colony from its impending collapse.
Identity and the Existential Dilemma of Immortality
The novel Mickey7 raises significant philosophical questions, especially regarding identity and the nature of existence. When a person dies and is cloned, are they still the same person as before? This is the central question that Mickey faces, especially since he has died multiple times and returned in slightly altered forms.
Still from Mickey 17 (Credit: Plan B Entertainment)
Each time he is cloned, a piece of him changes, and he begins to question whether he is truly the same Mickey who started the mission.
In an interview, author Edward Ashton explained that the book uniquely shows the idea of immortality.
He wanted to look at how someone might deal with dying repeatedly and coming back to life without ever being sure if they remain the same person.
This philosophical angle provides depth to the story and makes Mickey’s journey more than just a science fiction adventure.
Bong Joon-ho’s adaptation of Mickey 7 will likely show these existential themes, as he is known for incorporating deep, thought-provoking concepts into his films.
Robert Pattinson, playing the lead role, will be tasked with portraying both Mickey7 and Mickey8, bringing to life the emotional and psychological challenges of a character who has been through death multiple times.
Humor and Dark Tone in Mickey7
Despite the heavy themes of identity and existence, Mickey7 is filled with humor. Mickey’s dry, sarcastic voice adds a light touch to the otherwise dark storyline.
In the novel’s opening scene, Mickey7, lying at the bottom of the crevasse, remarks, “This is gonna be my stupidest death ever.” The humor helps balance the grim realities of Mickey’s life as an Expendable and keeps the tone from becoming too bleak.
Bong Joon-ho’s films often have a similar balance between humor and darkness, making him a great fit for this project.
In previous works like Memories of Murder and Parasite, Bong has skillfully mixed serious, sometimes tragic themes with absurd humor, creating a unique cinematic experience.
Based on the trailer, it seems that Mickey 17 will continue this trend. The use of Dean Martin’s song “Ain’t That A Kick in the Head?” in the trailer, alongside scenes of explosions and chaos, hints at the darkly comedic tone viewers can expect from the movie.
Bong Joon-ho’s Approach to the Adaptation
While Mickey 17 is based on Ashton’s novel, Bong Joon-ho is expected to make significant changes in his adaptation.
Ashton himself has expressed confidence in Bong’s vision, calling him a genius and praising his ability to bring the story to life in a new way.
Though specific details of Bong’s interpretation are still under wraps, it’s clear that the film will retain the core elements of the novel while adding Bong’s unique touch.
Pattinson’s previous work in science fiction, particularly in Claire Denis’ High Life, has shown that he can handle complex, introspective roles.
Still from Mickey 17 (Credit: Plan B Entertainment)
In High Life, he played a father struggling to survive with his daughter after a failed mission in space, which is similar in tone to the challenges faced by Mickey Barnes.
With Pattinson in the lead, along with a talented supporting cast, Mickey 17 is shaping up to be a compelling and original sci-fi movie.
What To Expect from Mickey 17
As fans await the release of Mickey 17 in January 2025, there’s no doubt that Bong Joon-ho’s adaptation of Edward Ashton’s novel will bring a unique mix of humor, dark themes, and philosophical questions.
The film’s focus on identity, mortality, and human nature, combined with Bong’s signature style, will likely create a memorable cinematic experience.
With a strong cast, intriguing source material, and Bong’s creative direction, Mickey 17 promises to be a standout in the science fiction genre.
The third season of MGM+’s sci-fi horror series From continues, bringing viewers back to its eerie, mysterious town.
Harold Perrineau’s character, Sheriff Boyd, keeps working to understand the strange forces holding everyone captive.
In the previous season, the townspeople and residents of Colony House struggled with food shortages, worsening after a storm. Sleep became dangerous with the introduction of the music box storyline.
There were several cliffhangers, including Jade (David Alpay) being troubled by a strange symbol, Boyd wondering if destroying the music box was the right choice, and Tabitha (Catalina Sandino Moreno) being thrown off a lighthouse into a hospital in what seems to be the real world — but is it?
The nurse tells her that hikers found her unconscious in the woods, and she had been in a coma. They are in Camden, Maine, and the nurse is concerned about the bruises and scratches on Tabitha’s body.
Tabitha tries to make sense of this, all while worrying about how she can reunite with her family, who are still trapped in the mysterious town that is now changing in alarming ways.
Jim and Kenny Discover Strange Statues in From Season 3
Boyd starts the season by tending to his shotgun wound, which he got from the relative of the first victim of the sleep demon. While wrapping his wound, Boyd talks to Father Khatri (Shaun Majumder), an imaginary priest.
He shares his concerns about the town’s situation — from the food shortages to new dangers, including the interaction he had with his hallucinated wife.
Just before Boyd destroyed the music box and freed the three victims, his dead wife (Lisa Ryder) eerily asked him to reconsider because the forest was feeding on his hope.
Their conversation gets interrupted when a commotion occurs outside. Ethan (Simon Webster) is brought home after trying to find his mother in the forest.
Jim (Eion Bailey), Ethan’s father, is then determined to search for his wife, but Boyd only allows him to go with Kenny (Ricky He).
Leaving his tense relationship with his children behind, Jim and Kenny follow Boyd’s directions and head into the woods.
There, they discover strange, ritualistic figures made of sticks, twigs, and skulls. Instead of fleeing, they decide to stay the night in a nearby hut, armed with a talisman.
Still from From’ Season 3 (Credit: MGM+)
As night falls, Jim realizes the reason Tabitha left them alone — she wanted their kids to have at least one parent. Realizing his mistake, Jim decides to return to town the next day.
Tabitha Struggles with Reality in From Season 3
Back in what seems to be the “real” world, Tabitha leaves the hospital after learning the police are coming to question her.
Fearing she might sound insane and end up in a mental institution, she decides to avoid the authorities and instead walks through the sunny streets of Maine.
The contrast between this place and the dark, terrifying town she was trapped in overwhelms her.
She notices two teenage girls with phones and borrows one to call her mother. During their emotional conversation, Tabitha keeps her situation a secret, unsure of what to do next.
Feeling lost, Tabitha finds refuge in a church and enters a confession booth. Without revealing everything she has been through, she shares her guilt over the death of her baby son, Tomas. This emotional moment overwhelms her, and she leaves the church.
As she walks out, the priest follows her, and they discuss Victor (Scott McCord) and his lunch box, which Tabitha is still carrying. Inside, she finds an address for Victor in Camden.
With a renewed sense of purpose, she makes her way to his house and is surprised to find his father, Henry (Robert Joy), living there.
Starvation Threatens in From Season 3
At Colony House, things have taken a dire turn. Fatima (Pegah Ghafoori), who is unexpectedly pregnant despite being previously diagnosed as infertile, suffers from severe morning sickness. Her partner, Ellis (Corteon Moore), is deeply worried about her as her health seems to worsen.
Donna (Elizabeth Saunders) pulls Ellis away from Fatima to help salvage any remaining crops after the storm.
Meanwhile, Elgin (Nathan D. Simmons), one of the new bus passengers, is haunted by terrifying nightmares of a female spirit, leading him to avoid sleep at all costs.
Still from From’ Season 3 (Credit: MGM+)
When Donna and Ellis arrive at the garden, they find all the crops have rotted. What was once a worrying food shortage has now become a life-threatening problem. Boyd, Donna, and Tian Chien (Elizabeth Moy) meet to plan how to feed the town.
They decide to rely on animals while attempting to grow crops in different soils, hoping to find a suitable location.
Ethan overhears their conversation and becomes upset. Boyd, who recently broke up a fight between Ethan and Randall (A.J. Simmons) over Ethan’s favorite goat, Alba, tries to console the boy. Ethan asks Boyd to kill Alba first so she won’t have to watch the other animals die.
Night Brings Fear in From Season 3 Premiere
As night falls, the tension escalates. Boyd is in the police station with Jade, who wakes up from a drunken sleep after Boyd dragged him out of the bar.
They look outside and see a cow walking down the street — the night creatures have let the animals out of the barn.
Boyd, Jade, and Tian rush outside to get the animals back, all while watching for danger. Ethan also sees Alba wandering and opens the door to find one of the creatures waiting.
His sister, Julie (Hannah Cheramy), quickly grabs him and escapes through the back door. Sarah (Avery Konrad) pulls them into the bushes, and they hide in Randall’s bus, watching the chaos unfold.
Still from From’ Season 3 (Credit: MGM+)
Jade witnesses one of the creatures kill a cow, leaving him frozen in shock. He is eventually pulled to safety, unable to do more. Tian, however, helps Boyd, who is struggling to get a cow into the barn. Once they lock it inside, they feel relief — but it’s short-lived.
The smiling creatures were hiding in the barn, and they capture both Boyd and Tian. The creatures tie Boyd up and begin torturing Tian, forcing him to watch.
The scene focuses on Boyd’s face as he begs for mercy and tries to encourage Tian, all while he breaks down inside. From Season 3 Episode 1 is now streaming on MGM+ in the U.S.
