• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey 18 and as Mickey 17 in a scene from the movie "Mickey 17." The OSV News classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (OSV News photo/Warner Bros.)

Movie Review: ‘Mickey 17’

March 12, 2025
By John Mulderig
OSV News
Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

NEW YORK (OSV News) – Following its 2019 release, helmer and co-writer Bong Joon Ho’s dark comedy “Parasite” won accolades for its intriguing approach to social commentary. In fact, it was awarded both the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or and the Oscar for Best Picture.

Reprising his role as director, but working from a script he penned on his own, Bong returns to the same genre, albeit with the addition of science fiction elements, with “Mickey 17” (Warner Bros.). The new arrival doesn’t reach the pitch of wild mayhem with which its predecessor concluded. Yet gritty ingredients are still present while artistic returns have diminished.

On the run from a brutal loan shark, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), a hapless misfit, finds an opportunity to escape his pursuer by joining the crew of a space mission to a distant planet. To do so, however, he must agree to become an “expendable,” someone who can be repeatedly killed and recreated via advanced 3D printing technology.

The title refers to the subsequent iteration of Pattison’s character we follow through most of the plot.

During the course of his journey, Mickey falls for Nasha (Naomi Ackie), a security officer. Mickey also gets caught up in the machinations of Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), a villainous politician whose schemes are wholeheartedly backed by his equally ruthless wife, Ylfa (Toni Collette).

Lest anyone miss the obvious real-life prototype on whom Marshall is based, wardrobe has thoughtfully supplied some of the extras playing his supporters with red hats. As for the deaths and resuscitations to which Mickey is continually subjected, they’re presumably meant to symbolize the lack of respect with which many workers are treated by their employers.

Mickey and Nasha give physical expression to their feelings for each other within moments of their first meeting. Though their relationship ultimately proves a durable one, its kick-off will likely prove distasteful even to grown viewers. Together with incidents of sometimes bloody action, it certainly precludes endorsement for youngsters.

Hard-edged and downbeat, “Mickey 17” offers observations on class, colonialism and corruption. While some moviegoers may appreciate these messages, human interest and entertainment value are wanting.

The film contains mostly stylized but sometimes gory violence, considerable sexual content, including a casual encounter at the start of a premarital relationship, rear male nudity in a nonsexual context, narcotics references, several uses of profanity, about a dozen milder oaths, pervasive rough and frequent crude language and an obscene gesture. The OSV News classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Read More Movie & TV Reviews

A new documentary, ‘The Inner Sea,’ tells a story of adoption, music and love

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Movie Review: ‘Another Simple Favor’

Movie Review: The Legend of Ochi

Conclaves on screen

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Copyright © 2025 OSV News

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

John Mulderig

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Who are the Augustinians, Pope Leo XIV’s order?

  • New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore

  • Catholic school academic honorees return to lead alma maters at Bishop Walsh, Archbishop Curley

  • Father Patrick Carrion offers blessing before Preakness

  • New pope’s Black, Creole roots illuminate rich multiracial history of U.S.

| CURRENT EDITION |

| Remembering Pope Francis |

U.S. pilgrims to Havana recall Francis’ impact in Cuba 10 years after visit

Radio Interview: Meet the Mount St. Mary’s graduate who served as a lector at papal funeral

Georgetown’s final ‘Francis Factor’ panel remembers late pope’s legacy

Francis’ final gift to Gaza: Popemobile will be transformed into mobile clinic for children

Final preparations, discussions underway before conclave begins

| Vatican News |

Pope holds private meeting with Ukrainian president

Pope’s inauguration Mass is sign of unity for whole church, Archbishop Lori says

Pope Leo XIV’s election gives new hope to Dolton, Ill., and church that formed him

Pope Leo begins papacy calling for ‘united church’ in a wounded world

Pope Leo XIV and the abuse crisis: What happens next?

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

| Movie & Television Reviews |

A new documentary, ‘The Inner Sea,’ tells a story of adoption, music and love

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

Movie Review: ‘Another Simple Favor’

Movie Review: The Legend of Ochi

Conclaves on screen

| En español |

El Papa León comienza su pontificado pidiendo una ‘Iglesia unida’ en un mundo herido

El deseo del obispo Bruce Lewandowski, “Cuiden bien a los jóvenes.”

El cardenal Prevost, misionero de EEUU, es elegido Papa y toma el nombre de León XIV

Invocando al Espíritu Santo y la intercesión de todos los santos, los cardenales inician el cónclave

Rev. Cristóbal Fones, SJ: “Los jóvenes tienen un mensaje y un bien que dar a la sociedad”

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Pope holds private meeting with Ukrainian president
  • Pope’s inauguration Mass is sign of unity for whole church, Archbishop Lori says
  • El Papa León comienza su pontificado pidiendo una ‘Iglesia unida’ en un mundo herido
  • Pope Leo XIV’s election gives new hope to Dolton, Ill., and church that formed him
  • Pope Leo begins papacy calling for ‘united church’ in a wounded world
  • Pope Leo XIV and the abuse crisis: What happens next?
  • Pilgrimage launch coincides with papal inauguration, marks young Catholic’s ‘radical yes’
  • Catholic death penalty abolition group eager for new pope to build on Francis’ legacy on issue
  • U.S. pilgrims to Havana recall Francis’ impact in Cuba 10 years after visit

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED