Bong Joon-ho’sMickey 17has debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a solid score that marks a strong return for the Academy Award-winning director. The film is a high-concept adaptation of Edward Ashton’s novelMickey7.Mickey 17stars Robert PattinsonasMickey Barnes, an “expendable” workerwho regenerates a new version of himself after each deathwhile on a dangerous mission to colonize an icy planet. While not quite matching the heights ofParasite’s near-perfect 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes,Mickey 17is off to a strong start with critics.
With just a few weeks left until the movie’s wide release,Rotten Tomatoeshas calculated the debut score forMickey 17. At the time of writing,the sci-fi black comedy is currently sitting at an 84% approval rating from criticson the review aggregate platform, calculated from 25 reviews. Though the score falls well short of Bong’s previous success with the Oscar-winningParasite, it’s still a strong start for the film.
What The Critics Score Means For Mickey 17
A Strong Return To The Screen After A Six-Year Gap
Since making his directorial debut with the dark comedyBarking Dogs Never Bite, Bong Joon-ho has stood out as one of thefew filmmakers in history to have every movie in their filmography land on the positive side of the Rotten Tomatoes scale. Even as he’s jumped through genres with everything from adapting sci-fi graphic novels withSnowpiercertotrue-crime-inspired neo-noir thrillers likeMemories of Murder, it’s clear that critics remain gripped by the writer/director’s work. Check out howMickey 17compares to his full filmography on Rotten Tomatoes below:
88%
76%
95%
92%
93%
72%
96%
89%
94%
87%
81%
99%
84%
N/A
However, whileMickey 17may be off to a strong start on the platform,its more modest Rotten Tomatoes score could spell trouble for how audiences respond to it. Up to this point, none of his films have seen the audience score overtake that of the critics', with many even finding themselves upwards of 22 points below them. Though critics and audiences certainly don’t always agree, if there is generally a more cautious response from them toBong’s movies,Mickey 17may also find itself on the lower end of the Fresh scale.
Our Take On Mickey 17’s Debut Rotten Tomatoes Score
Pattinson & Bong Joon-ho Make A Good Team
Whilethe highly anticipatedMickey 17may not yet be anotherParasite,it is clear that Bong Joon-ho remains one of the most innovative directors working today. Pattinson’s performance is already being praised as a standout, as well as the film’s critical themes. The film’s strong critical reception, combined with its thought-provoking premise, stunning visuals and stellar performances, suggests that the film will resonate with both sci-fi lovers and those who follow Pattinson and Bong Joon-ho’s careers.
As the movie finally nears its March 7 release date after nearly an entire year of delays, it will be interesting to see if audiences resonate with the film and align their reactions with those of the critics. With its mix of sci-fi, dark humor, and Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed direction,Mickey 17is sure to offer plenty of material for discussion long after the credits roll.
