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Mickey 17

Mickey 17

He's dying to save mankind.

2025137 minRMidcredits score: 74th percentile of all films
Director
Bong Joon Ho
Starring
Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo

Unlikely hero Mickey Barnes finds himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Mickey 17?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Mickey 17 streaming on Cinemax via Prime Video and HBO Max and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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via Prime VideoNew

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Mickey 17?

Mickey 17 earns 9 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Star-studded.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Mickey 17 worth watching?

Mickey 17's Midcredits score is the 74th percentile of all films, from 2.7M ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

74th percentile

Better received than 74% of films

81st percentile among Adventure75th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)76th
Approval (how many liked it)70th

69 /100

76th percentile of all films

84th percentile among Adventure75th percentile among 2020s

Critics 72 · Audience 69

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

77th percentile among Adventure70th percentile among 2020s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 77% · Audience 73%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 20 noms overall

99th percentile

2.7M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$118M
Opening weekend$19M
Domestic gross$46M
Worldwide gross$134M

Returned 1.1× its budget — 90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film has an intriguing original concept that fails to fully develop its cloning and identity themes, yet Robert Pattinson delivers a standout dual performance.

Fans praised

  • dual performance as Mickey 17/18 with distinct voices and body language
  • sharp social and political satire (anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, Trump parody)
  • immersive production design and visual effects on a snow-planet colony

Detractors panned

  • heavy-handed, cartoonish Trump satire that feels grating and distracting
  • wasted premise — cloning concept abandoned halfway for generic alien plot
  • overlong, sluggish pacing with a bloated runtime and weak third act

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

Pattinson excels as two distinct Mickeys; Ruffalo and Collette polarize as over-the-top villains

CinematographyDivisive75

striking icy landscapes and industrial ship interiors, but occasionally flat green-screen

Effects and spectacleDivisive70

convincing creature designs (Creepers), polished cloning visuals, solid action set-pieces

OriginalityDivisive60

unique cloning/sci-fi concept but derivative execution with familiar tropes

Plot and storyDivisive45

promising cloning premise derailed by generic colonizer vs colonized narrative

CharactersDivisive45

cartoonish one-note villains, underdeveloped supporting cast, flat character arcs

HumorDivisive45

dark comedy lands for some, falls flat for others; 'not funny' repeated by detractors

PacingDivisive35

slow first half, repetitive death montages, third act drags badly

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 11 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 11 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is Mickey 17 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark comedy: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to laugh at things you probably shouldn't.

It is intense and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Dark comedy.

Moods
TenseAbsurdHopeful
Heaviest: late
Dark humor
The answer rests on this: Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its material at a knowing distance, satirizing political figures and corporate exploitation with dark, absurdist humor.
The rideThe film balances suspense and absurd comedy throughout, with the emotional peak arriving in the final confrontation and resolution.
StructureThe story follows a linear chronology from Earth departure through the expedition's arrival and conflict resolution on Niflheim.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you entertained by its dark comedy and satirical edge, with a hopeful resolution as the oppressive system is dismantled and peace with the aliens is achieved.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeMickey, as an expendable clone, must survive and ultimately overthrow a tyrannical expedition leader and the oppressive cloning system, while also establishing first contact with an alien species.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsSurvivalCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores what makes a person unique when multiple copies exist, while Mickey also fights to survive and find belonging.
StanceThe film takes a satirical stance toward the theme of identity, mocking the commodification of human life and authoritarian leadership.

The world

Near futureIn transitOuter spaceScience fiction
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score · Jung Jae-il
Settinga spaceship colonizing the ice planet Niflheim
MusicThe score blends orchestral and electronic elements to underscore the sci-fi setting and satirical tone.

Content guide

Is Mickey 17 okay for kids?

R

Mickey 17 is rated R: “Rated R for violent content, language throughout, sexual content and drug material” (MPAA). As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at moderate (55/100), language at severe (80/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (41/100) and frightening material at moderate (57/100). Overall it is heavier than 53% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 45 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland15A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • Argentina+13
  • Austria14
  • Belgium16
  • CL14
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • ID17+
  • IndiaA
  • Israel12
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • LV16+
  • MexicoB-15
  • MOC
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway15
  • PhilippinesR-16
  • PortugalM/14
  • PRR
  • RO15
  • SingaporeM18
  • SK15
  • South Africa16
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan12+
  • TH15
  • Türkiye16+
  • UA16+
  • VIR
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 72% of all filmsHeavier than 53% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 47%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%
Profanity
Severe
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 73%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 51%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 40%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language and violence. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Mickey 17 have?

MovieCove's classifier found 8 depicted content warnings in Mickey 17: Gore or body horror (severe), Torture (severe), Animal cruelty (moderate), Animal death (moderate), Gun violence (moderate), Kidnapping or confinement (moderate), Addiction or relapse (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horrorTorture
ModerateAnimal crueltyAnimal deathGun violenceKidnapping or confinement
MildAddiction or relapse

Cast and crew

Who is in Mickey 17?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Robert Pattinson
as Mickey Barnes
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Naomi Ackie
as Nasha
Steven Yeun
as Timo
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Mark Ruffalo
as Kenneth Marshall
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Toni Collette
as Ylfa
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Anamaria Vartolomei
as Kai Katz
Daniel Henshall
as Preston
Patsy Ferran
as Dorothy
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Steve Park
as Zeke
Tim Key
as Pigeon Man

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Mickey 17?

Movies like Mickey 17 include Alien: Resurrection (1997), Snowpiercer (2013) and The Hunger Games (2012). Of the 12 closest matches, half are films set inside an institution, and most are stories of oppressive states.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: the near future. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Mickey 17?

257 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: first contact. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.