Robert Pattinson: Reborn and Reimagined in ‘Mickey 17’
Mickey 17 is shaping up to be a fascinating entry in Robert Pattinson’s already eclectic career. In Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated Mickey 17, Pattinson embodies the titular expendable, a “disposable” colonist on a perilous mission to terraform the icy world of Niflheim.
As a “Mickey,” he’s repeatedly cloned after each fatal accident, retaining memories of his past lives, creating a haunting cycle of death and rebirth. The film delves into the psychological toll of this endless existence, exploring themes of identity, sacrifice and the profound strangeness of a life lived on repeat, all while navigating the treacherous, frozen landscape and the ethical complexities of human replication.
Robert Pattinson is an actor who has demonstrated an uncanny ability to navigate complex, often eccentric characters. A hallmark for the celebrated and talented actor, his exciting collaboration with Bong Joon-ho in Mickey 17 is a stroke of casting genius. Playing an “expendable” crew member, Mickey Barnes, Pattinson delivers a nuanced performance – gathering special insights from having collaborated on the script with Joon-ho.
Injecting his own brand humour, Pattinson portrays multiple versions of Mickey, each with subtle variations. A versatile actor, Pattinson is able to differentiate these versions, showcasing his range and reminiscent of James McAvoy’s masterful performance in Split.
A unique and humourous blend of genres, Mickey 17 is a typical Boon Joon-ho film, offering a mix of social commentary and visual delight. Known for his storyboarding, every scene was carefully concocted with Pattinson at the core of this boundary-breaking science fiction story. The regeneration aspect echoes elements from Edge of Tomorrow and based on the early buzz, Mickey 17 seems like another hit for Pattinson and Joon-ho.
Robert Pattinson starred in The Batman, Tenet, The Lighthouse and Good Time. He continues his barnstorming success of working with some of the contemporary greats with another bold, challenging and fine performance in Mickey 17, testament to his evolution as an actor.
Mickey 17 is a film that will continue to be talked about for years to come. Both able to extract the best out of one another, this co-writing actor-director partnership with hopefully be able to be repeated, much like the story at this film’s core.
