Visually Striking but Hard to Connect With
Bong Joon-ho has a reputation for delivering films with sharp social commentary, layered themes, and compelling storytelling. Parasite was a clear masterpiece in that regard—effortlessly weaving its message into the story in a way that felt natural and engaging. So going into Mickey 17, it was natural I have high expectations. Unfortunately, while the cinematography and sci-fi elements work well in moments, the overall story feels odd and difficult to connect with.
Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography is expertly executed, and there are moments where the sci-fi world truly shines. But a great movie needs more than just great visuals—it needs a story that draws you in, and that’s where Mickey 17 struggles. The narrative feels complex for the sake of being complex, never quite distilling its themes down to their essence.
I don’t mind movies with deeper meaning, but I prefer when the storytelling allows you to simply experience the message rather than having to work to unravel it. The best films—even the ones with deep themes—boil their ideas down to something universal and digestible. They take complex ideas and present them in a way that even a child could understand. Mickey 17 doesn’t do that. Instead, it keeps its complexities intact, making the themes feel more like something to be analyzed rather than something to be felt.
That’s not to say the movie is without merit—there are moments where the sci-fi elements work well, and the world-building is interesting. But as a whole, it feels like a film that requires effort to get rather than something you can simply sit back and absorb.
In the end, Mickey 17 is a well-crafted film that will likely appeal to certain audiences, but for me, it didn’t quite land. The story remained too abstract, making it hard to fully connect with its message.
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