Mickey 17, played by Robert Pattinson, is an expendable worker in a futuristic society that clones low-level employees to carry out dangerous tasks. The story takes a dramatic turn when Mickey 18 is printed before Mickey 17’s death, creating an existential dilemma. Meanwhile, the colony leader, Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), plans to exterminate the planet’s native species, the creepers.
Mickey 17, alongside Mickey 18 and Nasha (Naomi Ackie), works to thwart Marshall’s plan, leading to a climactic showdown where Mickey 18 sacrifices himself to kill Marshall and liberate Nilfheim.
With Marshall’s death, Nasha assumes a significant political role in Nilfheim. Recognizing the ethical issues surrounding the expendable program, she and Mickey 17 take decisive action to end it permanently. At a public ceremony, Mickey 17 destroys the only expendable printer on the planet, effectively banning the controversial practice.
This makes Mickey 17 the last of his kind, meaning his eventual death will be final, unlike his previous incarnations. The ending signifies a major shift in Nilfheim’s policies and represents a victory for the colonists who opposed the inhumane program.
Power, Deception, and Survival in Mickey 17’s Climactic Struggle
The final act of Mickey 17 presents a tense confrontation between the human colonists and the creepers. Marshall kidnaps a baby creeper, threatening to wipe out the species. In retaliation, the creepers claim they can emit a frequency capable of killing all humans if their young one isn’t returned.
However, after Marshall’s defeat, Mickey 17 learns that the creepers were bluffing. They lack the ability to exterminate humanity, but their fabricated threat was a strategic move to protect their species from annihilation. This revelation highlights the film’s deeper themes of power struggles and survival.
Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes (Photo: Mickey 17/Warner Bros. Pictures)As the film’s primary antagonist, Kenneth Marshall embodies a ruthless colonial mindset. Having lost an election, he and his followers embark on the Nilfheim mission with the goal of establishing a human-dominated planet. His ultimate vision is to eradicate the creepers and claim Nilfheim entirely for humans, ensuring his absolute authority. Though his genocidal plan ultimately fails, his actions expose the dangers of unchecked political ambition and the destructive nature of colonialism.
The Persistence of Power in Mickey 17’s Paranoia and Political Allegory
Following Marshall’s death, Mickey 17 experiences a cryptic dream where Ylfa, Marshall’s wife, operates a restored expendable printer to clone her husband. While this is revealed to be a dream, it symbolizes Mickey 17’s lingering paranoia about history repeating itself.
The expendable printer serves as a metaphor for oppressive systems that can be dismantled but not entirely eradicated, as new figures can always rise to power. This underscores the film’s political commentary, reinforcing the idea that vigilance is necessary to prevent the resurgence of authoritarian rule.
Mickey 17 is based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, which has a sequel titled Antimatter Blues. In the follow-up story, Mickey faces a new challenge involving a hidden bomb that could threaten the colony. However, a sequel to the film remains uncertain, as director Bong Joon-ho is not known for making sequels.
Beyond its sci-fi adventure, Mickey 17 delivers a critique of capitalism, labor exploitation, and political corruption. The expendable program mirrors real-world issues of worker expendability, while Marshall’s character draws inspiration from authoritarian political figures. Through its humor and thrilling narrative, the film presents a thought-provoking exploration of power and resistance.
