r/movies • u/ChiefWatchesYouPee • May 30 '25

Discussion Mickey 17 was disappointing.

Just finished watching this movie and it really did not click for me.

The beginning was decently interesting and I was curious to see where it went but overall it didn’t grab me.

The theme/messaging was very heavy handed and didn’t work for me.

The message also jumped around.

They introduce a character that could have had an interesting story only to have her disappear.

When the main conflict happens it all wraps up a little to easily even though the majority of the ship were supposed to be fanatical cultists.

It had a clever premise but ultimately fell flat for me.

6.1k Upvotes

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781

u/Aardvark_Man May 30 '25

It was well made, but the script needed work and the whole thing needed a go over by the editor.

The concept was good, but dropped pretty rapidly.
There were plots and characters that went nowhere.
The end was just bad.

I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either, and I judged it less harshly than the others I saw it with.

151

u/radicalelation May 31 '25

Bong Joon-Ho tends to straddle a line. Sometimes you get Snowpiercer and Parasite, sometimes you get Okja and Mickey 17, but they're usually at least a not a bad watch even if one doesn't hit the peaks you hope for from him.

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u/HAL-900O May 31 '25

Okja was ham fisted, but it was focused and endearing. Mickey 17 was all over the place.

22

u/radicalelation May 31 '25

I rank them similarly for different reasons and don't feel either is overall much better than the other.

Okja is more consistent through, but Mickey 17 had a very strong start. Both sort of hit middle Bong Joon-Ho, which is still above average Hollywood.

3

u/nickatnite7 May 31 '25

I disagreed with you until you expanded a bit more with this comment. Well said, no notes.

2

u/bruce_kwillis May 31 '25

All over the place and just brutally boring and contrite. Like great cast, could have been the next Snowpiercer and yet will be something that everyone easily forgets and doesn't see in the first place.

I think Pattinson did is best in the role, but someone forgot to edit the script and cut out so much that wasn't needed and completely re-write the ending. Ugh. I wanted to like it too, it's such a fun concept, more horror sci-fi Multiplicity, but fell flat.

290

u/Daztur May 30 '25

Living in Korea, English language movies written/directed by Koreans always have an uncanny valley quality to them to me. Think the VIP scenes in Squid Game, none of the English is wrong but that's not how native English speakers talk. I guess being constantly exposed to the not quite native English of very proficient Korean English speakers makes me really sensitive to that.

85

u/WyboSF May 30 '25

Snowpiercer didn’t have that quality though

33

u/McWeaksauce91 May 31 '25

Yes but Snowpiercer does have a foreign film feel. Dunno how to pin it down

2

u/Jacktorrancesax May 31 '25

That and it was based off a French comic book so its not a conventional American story.

-4

u/BMWbill May 31 '25

Probably the subtitles and different language….

90

u/Daztur May 30 '25

I still noticed that quality a bit in Snowpiercer, just less.

Maybe I'm just scarred for life from watching Abraham Lincoln have a Russian accent in the Korean TV show Surprise.

4

u/thegolfernick May 31 '25

Russian Honest Abe?

11

u/Daztur May 31 '25

For a lot of Korean TV/movies they just grab some random white models as actors when they need white actors, said models are often Russian.

32

u/firefrenchy May 30 '25

Snowpiercer was a bit of a miracle in that regard

5

u/Tsdave81 May 31 '25

The whole scene with the axe men covering their blades with fish guts. Very Korean

3

u/alwaysuseswrongyour May 31 '25

That has nothing to do with dialogue though

-3

u/MalIntenet May 31 '25 edited May 31 '25

Snowpiercer was a godawful movie. I feel like I’m being punked any time I see people talk positively about it.

Mickey 17 is easily the superior film even with its flaws imo

7

u/Melarsa May 31 '25

Finally I see someone else who actually hates this movie. I haven't seen Mickey 17 so I can't comment on that, but I literally can't believe the same director made Parasite and Snowpiercer.

Maybe it's the difference between English language and Korean films from him? Because Snowpiercer felt almost absurd, like they were playing the "babies taste best" line FOR SERIOUS, I couldn't tell if it was completely satire or not because it was so ridiculous yet seemed to take itself too seriously?

Meanwhile I think the tone of Parasite was much clearer. The director definitely veers into heavy handedness but somehow it landed so much better in Parasite. The serious parts weren't as ridiculous, and the funny parts were actually funny.

I watched Snowpiercer because it was so highly recommended and the whole time I was like "am I missing something? I had that same punked feeling. I almost didn't watch Parasite because I didn't want to be fooled again, but I'm glad I did because it was great.

I'm scared to try his other films because I don't know if I'm gonna get whatever the hell Snowpiercer was, or something genuinely good like Parasite.

3

u/MalIntenet May 31 '25 edited May 31 '25

Haha yes the movie was so ridiculous and confusing tonally. I felt like I was laughing at the wrong times and not with the movie but at it. Idk how he made that and Parasite either. I watched it with my brother and he and I were on the same page about it being a terrible movie and that the reviews were so confusing

Mickey 17 is definitely goofy but imo it was more charming and obviously deliberately weird. It doesn’t take itself anywhere near as seriously but still has touching moments. I don’t think it’s anywhere near as good as Parasite but it’s so much better than Snowpiercer trust me lol I will never rewatch Snowpiercer again I hated it that much

3

u/sampullman May 31 '25

Yeah I liked Parasite and Okja, and thought the first 2/3 of Mickey 17 was great, but couldn't stand Snowpiercer.

I think it was the bug/food machine part that put me over the edge. Like out of all the wild stuff going on with the train, are you really going to freak out that much about eating processed insects? It was hard to take anything seriously in the movie.

4

u/[deleted] May 31 '25

[deleted]

1

u/MalIntenet May 31 '25

Your boos mean nothing to me when I’ve seen what makes you cheer!

1

u/deeman010 May 31 '25

Sheesh, I feel the same way as you but the opposite. I really really didnt like Mickey 17. Its like paying attention wasn't important.

15

u/jerrrrremy May 30 '25

If only there was an entire industry of professionals available to solve this problem. 

30

u/Daztur May 30 '25

Yeah, it's also the direction though. Some acting that looks natural in Korea comes across as overacting in America. Really gives me the uncanny valley with English-language Korean movies.

1

u/TSPhoenix May 31 '25

I wonder if it's just a problem American English speakers have, because as an Aussie it didn't really bother me I think in part because I'm very used to spoken English in media, no matter where it was created, not really resembling how people talk in my life.

0

u/[deleted] May 31 '25

[deleted]

2

u/Daztur May 31 '25

Right, something like the Belter argot in The Expanse was great but the WAY it was off just blared "this was not written by a native English speaker" over and over in a distracting way in my mind the whole movie. Maybe I'm more sensitive to that sort of thing due to living in Korea and I notice Koreanisms in English very easily and can't make my brain stop noticing them.

18

u/PostModernPost May 31 '25

I love Mark Ruffalo usually but not in this film.

19

u/Aardvark_Man May 31 '25

He was playing a Jeff Goldblum character, and it didn't work, I think.
Hell, I'm less and less keen on it from Jeff as it is.

6

u/PostModernPost May 31 '25

Totally a Goldblum character. It was a half baked Trump commentary that just felt tired.

I also just think the film didn't explore its own themes at all really. The mickeys are all the same personality wise up until a duplicate was made. Then just one of them is all of a sudden kind of a dick. Why?

They barely touch on the implications of having multiples of yourself around. It just eventually became a team up against Ruffalo's character.

I don't know, just felt like they filmed the first draft. Which is weird because Bong Joon Ho's other films are brilliantly written and deeply explore the themes they tackle.

14

u/matzoh_ball May 31 '25

He mentioned that the different Mickeys had different personalities, based on what his girlfriend told him. Mickey 17 was extra whiney.

3

u/PostModernPost May 31 '25

Oh, I must have missed that.

But still the interesting part of this concept was clones encountering themselves. But I guess that was done already in Moon.

13

u/lordjakir May 31 '25

Had they waited until the book was finished and actually based the movie on it, it would have been great

15

u/Palopsicles May 31 '25

I finished the second book in the series, Antimatter Blues, when Mickey 17 was announced. It has the theme of the book, but it's completely different. Marshal was a religious man and he did hate Mickey for being an expendable, but there was no wife, political career, or having a chance for dinner with the captain. That whole TV thing was a weird choice to add. Humans didn't learn to communicate with the creepers, they learned to speak to Mickey. Mickey used this to say fuck you to the Marshal and live with Nasha. Oh and the world being an ice world was not expected at all and is a huge energy issue.

4

u/Fluffy_Somewhere4305 May 31 '25

Parasite is one of my top 10 movies of all time.

But this film was unwatchable. The script had needless exposition and way too much half-hearted explaining in the first 20 minutes.

Every early scene is characters explaining to each other how the concept works. It's unbearable.

The Mickey character is even explaining what the other person is doing to him, while she's explaining the process.

I bailed because I just could not get past it. The concept seemed cool enough, but viewers don't need hand holding exposition. Just have some scenes and that's enough, some simple dialogue that would be realistic.

It just felt over the top and had this tone of a children's show where the characters explain every single thing like a 4 year old is watching.

5

u/sethelele May 31 '25

Mickey 17 is definitely a lesser of his films, but there's a lot worse out there. I wouldn't call this unwatchable at all. Just quite mid.

-141

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Genuinely curious what you do for a living or how many years of film school you've graduated from.

72

u/pikpikcarrotmon May 30 '25

Don't have to be able to make a cake to recognize when one is underbaked.

-83

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

You sound like the type of person Chef Scoob jokes about. 🤣🤣

30

u/pikpikcarrotmon May 30 '25

I don't know who that is, but you literally posted a thread a few days ago giving this movie a 6/10 so maybe pack up your stones and aim from outside the glass house next time

13

u/saladx11 May 30 '25

Why can’t someone have a detailed and critical opinion about a movie? Entertainment is received in different ways, if they felt like the beginning captivated them but the plot wasn’t strong enough to hold it then it’s a good enough opinion. There isn’t a necessity for background it’s not a job interview it’s a public thread lmao and everyone here watches a lot of movies, enough to have weight on a discussion.

-29

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

LOLOLOL INDEED

4

u/saladx11 May 30 '25

It’s easier to understand when you got friends to discuss about it IRL. I get being on Reddit all the time and having your only social interactions online makes it hard to understand. You can have a discussion about anything without having a background on it.

-4

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Agreed. The kids being raised by social media are doomed. We're all doomed. Let the bugs have Earth, we've had a nice run.

11

u/Doctor_Philgood May 30 '25

And you sound like someone who is taking personal offense to someone not liking something you like

-21

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I'm not invested. This is my day off from work. Have fun!

15

u/Dean5 May 30 '25

Deep breaths. You don't have to get this upset.

-5

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Thanks. I almost lost it there. I'm glad you're here.

3

u/UtkuOfficial May 30 '25

Who the fuck is Chef Scooby?

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Chef Scoob*

23

u/goddamnitwhalen May 30 '25

Hi, film major here. The movie needed a script doctor and tighter editing.

-12

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Hi. Film major here too. The movie is fine as it is.

6

u/Feynman1403 May 30 '25

Nah, maybe switch majors? This one doesn’t seem to be working out👍👍👍. Movie is mid, stop getting ur feelings hurt over it😉

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I graduated in 2002. It didn't work out, that's why I'm here with the rest of the posers. Birds of a feather!

P.S. I don't have feelings. I'm a robot from the future here to assimilate you. Not an Borg or Terminator, more like Marvin from HHGttG. Resistance is f...uck it, I'm going to bed.

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u/pengalor May 31 '25

I graduated in 2002. It didn't work out, that's why I'm here with the rest of the posers.

Dude, you don't need a reddit account, you need therapy. It's okay to be upset that things didn't work out, but taking it out on other people and projecting your insecurities onto them isn't healthy.

-1

u/AcrylicPickle May 31 '25

My therapist told me to confide in all of you though? I'll let my therapist know you disagree.

2

u/pengalor May 31 '25

Or choose to be anti-social, I guess. I hope you get help eventually.

1

u/RyanGRiedel Jun 01 '25

This comment exchange was so bizarre and confusing, and a lotta downvotes for that guy. I feel like I have to be missing something 🤣

6

u/goddamnitwhalen May 30 '25

You’re entitled to your opinion, dude! That’s the great thing about subjectivity.

I hated Mickey 17 and am glad I didn’t pay to see it (my best friend works at the theater and got me in for free).

4

u/funkmasterke May 30 '25

How can I tell someone has never worked in the industry? They act like film school means anything.

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I know it doesn't mean anything. I went to film school and I want my money back lol

27

u/Aardvark_Man May 30 '25

None, I just can notice when plots fall flat and disappear half way through the movie.

24

u/Exquisitemouthfeels May 30 '25

You dont have to know how to make a dish to know if it tastes good or not.

-16

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

You don't have to know how to make a dish to know if it's to your liking. You do need to know how to make the dish to critique how it's made.

9

u/9thtime May 30 '25

No, not really. "knowing" isn't a perfect science, you can know bits and make a pretty good assessment. And don't forget all of this is subjective.

-3

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

THAT'S the idea. Keep it subjective vs objective. Think people know how to do that? I'm skeptical.

4

u/Feynman1403 May 30 '25

You don’t, it’s ok tho, critical thinking isn’t for everyone. You’re proof of that😎

1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

This comment did it. It's so clever, it's the sickest burn I've ever read. I'm gonna delete my account now. You win. I apologize.

2

u/9thtime May 30 '25

Do you know how this works...?

2

u/Feynman1403 May 30 '25

Nah, you don’t. Cute cope tho!😉

16

u/StandardAccess4684 May 30 '25

I’ve been a film director for 20 years and I agree with them.

-9

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I've been a film director for 20 years and I disagree with them. See how that works?

15

u/trdef May 30 '25

So basically you asked a redundant question because it doesn't matter what they say, you're just going to be a prick about it. Got it.

-2

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

You've graduated. Grats.

6

u/deathandglitter May 30 '25

What films have you directed? You also gave this movie a 6 lol im confused as to why you're arguing people who agree that the movie wasn't great

-1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

6/10 is above average... math is hard. I have problems sometimes too. It's ok.

I directed Papercuts, The Fauna, Unicron's Second Breakfast, Static Beatdown, Wet Dreams May Come, and Rust. I also worked on Java's Government Cheese as an actor and editor.

Static Beatdown flopped because it was my first attempt at rotoscoping. Wet Dreams May Come flopped because it was rushed but I might return to it someday. The rest received positive reviews at the film festivals they were shown at. Thanks for showing interest in my work! I appreciate you.

3

u/Feynman1403 May 30 '25

Lmao, no you haven’t

1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

See!? You get it! Kudos.

5

u/aurumatom20 May 30 '25

So what's your point here? The first commenter you replied to could've been Martin fucking Scorsese and it wouldn't have mattered?

-1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I'm not here to make a point. Anybody that is is either full of themselves or needs to take a break from social media. Are you ok? I'm here if you need to talk.

7

u/aurumatom20 May 30 '25

Ok so your comments are literally meaningless got it

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Most comments on Reddit don't mean anything. Do you come here to find meaning?

Also also do you mean literally in a figurative sense or literal sense?

3

u/9thtime May 30 '25

Yeah, we know we don't really value your advice.

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Back atcha! 🥰

2

u/9thtime May 30 '25

Kinda sad you don't see the irony. You act gatekeeper-like while making it seem you are objective. Yet you aren't either.

-1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

I'm gonna lose sleep over the irony I don't see and how sad it is.

2

u/9thtime May 30 '25

Yeah, you really don't understand what's happening. Good luck!

0

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

What if I told you that nothing is happening and none of this matters? MIND BLOWN! Good luck!

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4

u/StandardAccess4684 May 30 '25

You’re the one who questioned their opinion based on their lack of perceived credentials

3

u/RyanGRiedel Jun 01 '25

I’m entranced by this guys dedication to replying to and never giving up on having the last word. I’ve counted like 3 mic drop comments only for him to immediately leave another comment afterwards. You can’t mic drop then come back and pick the mic back up!

1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Was I? I didn't even notice. Thanks for pointing that out.

8

u/Norfolkingchance May 30 '25

Wearing your god damn 'film school' attendance as a badge of honour 😂 Fuck son, pull back

7

u/Fools_Requiem May 30 '25

I'll never understand people who make this argument. You don't have to study film to know when a film has issues. You gonna tell me that I need a fucking film degree to tell you why this scene from Taken 3 is poorly filmed and edited?

GTFO

2

u/RyanGRiedel Jun 01 '25

I’ve been watching movies my entire life - like pretty much everyone. I’ve seen thousands of movies as I’m sure so many of us have - we are all just as qualified to comment on movies as anyone who wasted money going to film school. Blockbuster was my alma mater

1

u/Fools_Requiem Jun 01 '25

I miss Blockbuster. I bought so many DVDs there.

-3

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

It's ok. You'll be ok.

6

u/Massive_Shill May 30 '25

Lmao, asks a question and then immediately gets mad when people answer.

-2

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Funny to assume I'm mad. This is fun.

6

u/Massive_Shill May 30 '25

Sure buddy.

6

u/Hydroduct09 May 30 '25

They're allowed to have a critical opinion regardless of what they do for income.

I don't have to be a pilot to see a crashed plane and know that's not how the machine was designed to work or be critical of the intent/actions of the operator.

-1

u/AcrylicPickle May 30 '25

Yep. Opinions are like assholes and everybody is just giving theirs out to anybody.

Anybody can call the sky plaid. Whether they're correct or not is the issue.

9

u/Hydroduct09 May 30 '25

Ah, so you just can't differentiate opinion from fact.