MOVIE
Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' Unveils First Teaser Trailer Ahead of 2025 Release
The teaser trailer for 'Mickey 17' offers a glimpse into the film's intriguing premise. The story revolves around Mickey 17, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, who is an expendable worker sent on dangerous missions. When he dies, he is reprinted, and the film follows his 17th death and the unexpected events that unfold when Mickey 18 is printed, assuming Mickey 17 is dead.
As the name suggests, Mickey 17 experiences a cycle of life and death. Set on an ice planet that humanity is attempting to colonize, the film introduces a variety of fascinating characters and events. The teaser showcases the precarious coexistence of Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, along with mysterious creatures. The release timing of the teaser is also noteworthy, with the global trailer released at 17:18 in the US and the Korean trailer at 9:18 on September 18, the last day of the Chuseok holiday.
The teaser begins with the lines, "It's going to be an extreme job," and "You have to get used to dying," accompanied by a gun pointed at a terrified Mickey. This sets the tone for Mickey's perilous job, which involves frequent deaths. The teaser then cuts to Mickey floating peacefully in space, followed by a severed wrist, hinting at the unpredictable narrative and Mickey's turbulent fate. Each time Mickey dies and is reprinted, the number increases, indicating his repeated deaths.
Robert Pattinson, known for his roles in 'The Batman' and 'The Lighthouse,' delivers a performance that defies his previous image. As Mickey 17, he is kind to the point of seeming naive, even thanking others as he is thrown into an incinerator. In contrast, Mickey 18 is more aggressive, showcasing Pattinson's range as he portrays two vastly different versions of the same character. The film's premise that only one Mickey can survive adds to the intrigue.
Naomi Ackie, who has appeared in 'Lady Macbeth' and 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody,' plays Nasha, Mickey's brave and capable girlfriend. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette portray Kenneth and Elsa Marshall, leaders of the ice planet colonization team, adding tension and unexpected humor. Steven Yeun, who previously worked with Bong Joon-ho on 'Okja,' plays Timo, a friend who asks Mickey, "What's it like to die?" just before Mickey's death. The unique farewell, "Die well, see you tomorrow," leaves a lasting impression.
The teaser also raises questions about the creatures that inhabit the ice planet and the fate of humanity, including Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, as they encounter these beings.
Following the success of 'Parasite,' Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' is set to premiere in South Korea on January 28, 2025.
By Jiwon Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
