South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho, who won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for his 2019 film Parasite, is noted for his societal critique. Parasite, a parody on class warfare, was one of the first in a new wave of "eat the rich" stories. Bong's next film, Mickey 17, continues his examination of social issues, but in a more subtle manner.

In 2054, Mickey (Robert Pattinson) finds himself in trouble with a criminal organization and decides to take drastic measures. He volunteers for a colonization mission to the distant snow planet Niflheim, led by the dubious Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), a failed politician, blowhard, and cult leader. To join the mission, Mickey becomes an "expendable," subjecting himself to repeated deadly experiments with clones of himself created to be killed.

Mickey wasn't known for his intelligence, but desperation drove him to volunteer for the position, despite the risks. He needed to escape Earth and the loan shark chasing him and his friend (Steven Yeun) for the debt from their failed macaroon business.

The movie "Mickey 17," based on the novel by Edward Ashton, follows Mickey, a disposable employee on a space expedition, who is repeatedly killed and replaced with a clone. After Mickey 17 unexpectedly survives, he must grapple with the existence of his clone, Mickey 18, and the complications it brings to his life and his relationship with Nasha.

The film uses humor to explore themes like cloning ethics, space exploration, and authoritarian leadership, although the success of the humor may be subjective. Director Bong Joon-ho satirizes various concepts while examining human behavior in extreme circumstances. The quick elimination of the original Mickey raises questions about the nature of his humanity.

In the bleak landscape of Mickey's Niflheim existence, a ray of light appears in the form of Nasha Barridge (Naomi Ackie). Nasha, a strong-willed and spirited government employee, serves as a soldier, police officer, and firefighter. She crosses paths with the original Mickey Barnes, and their encounter brings a spark of hope to Mickey's life.

In the cafeteria, where the "working class" residents dine, Kenneth and Nifa's surprise appearance causes a star-struck frenzy. Mickey and Nasha, the only unaffected individuals, share a knowing glance, hinting at a future connection.

As expected, Nasha and Mickey develop into close friends and romantic partners. Nasha's loyalty endures even through Mickey's repeated death and cloning. Her possessiveness is evident when Kai flirts with Mickey. Seeing this, Nasha forcefully takes Timo's seat beside Mickey and starts kissing him, sending a clear message to Kai: "He's mine. Back off."

Also working for the government as a soldier, Timo sometimes collaborates with Mickey, Nasha, and two close-knit female soldiers, Kai Katz (Anamaria Vartolomei) and Jennifer Chilton (Ellen Robertson). While Timo disappears for a significant portion of the film, he resurfaces at a critical juncture in the narrative. The movie provides glimpses into Mickey and Timo's lives before Niflheim, but Nasha's past on Earth remains shrouded in mystery.

Bong's film, with its $120 million budget, maintains a small-scale feel despite its 140-minute runtime. The film's captivating specificity is seen in details like the obsequiousness of Marshall's team, Mickey's unappetizing meals, and the horde of unsettling characters in the final act.

As the film goes along, though, it’s hard to fight the feeling that an overall point to the story is missing. Mickey 17's arc is enjoyable, yet the film fails to fully explore the implications of using clones until an overly convenient reveal in the third act. The comedy and action are serviceable, but because they are supposed to be a means to an end that never fully materializes, their impact is lessened.

Pattinson clearly enjoys playing the multiple roles, imbuing each clone with subtle differences that make Mickey 17 and 18 play well off each other, going between slapstick and melodrama. Ackie complements Pattinson, playing a supportive character who also has her own agenda. Ruffalo and Toni Collette, who plays Marshall’s wife, give effective, if somewhat grating, performances.

Although Mickey 17 aligns with Bong Joon-ho's signature style, it falls short of the brilliance of his previous work, particularly Parasite. While Robert Pattinson's energy elevates the film's audacious narrative, it ultimately lacks the memorability of Bong's other films. Mickey 17 is a charming film that just needed a little more bite.