Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' Satirizes Capitalism and Trumpism Through Robert Pattinson's Dual Roles

Bong Joon-ho's science fiction satire 'Mickey 17' features Robert Pattinson playing Mickey Barnes, a hapless worker who signs up as an 'expendable' on a galactic mission without reading his contract's fine print. The character dies repeatedly in horrific ways, only to be reproduced through a human printer, creating clones that serve as metaphors for worker exploitation under capitalism. Pattinson portrays multiple versions of Mickey, including Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, with distinct personalities that reflect the actor's own dual public image. The film includes Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, a bigoted politician who dreams of creating a 'pure, white' planet, serving as a clear stand-in for former U.S. President Donald Trump. Originally scheduled for 2022 release, the film references Marshall's two-time defeat, positioning itself as a warning rather than a victory lap. The narrative also involves an attempted takeover of a planet inhabited by cute bugs, with themes addressing anti-immigration, colonialism, and genocide. Pattinson's performance draws parallels to his previous role in Claire Denis's 2018 film 'High Life,' where he played another expendable character on a spaceship. The film connects acting itself to the theme of replication, questioning the authenticity of performers' public personas while maintaining a balance of silliness and tension through physical comedy.