Mickey 17, the action-packed sci-fi film that made its theatrical debut five months ago, is set to arrive on the OTT platform JioHotstar on Thursday, August 7. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon-ho and based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” the film follows the story of Mickey Barnes, who, seeking a new life beyond Earth, becomes an “expendable” on the human colony Nilfheim. After being regenerated post-death, Mickey finds himself replaced by another version, Mickey 18, leading to a gripping narrative where both must confront each other to survive.
Featuring a star-studded cast including Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, Mickey 17 aims to blend black comedy with thrilling science fiction elements. However, critical responses have noted tonal inconsistencies and narrative pacing issues, with some reviews suggesting that the film does not quite capture the charm of Joon-ho’s earlier works, particularly those in his native Korean language.
Despite its significant budget of $118 million, the film’s box office performance was marginal, earning $131.8 million globally. The anticipation surrounding this project, driven by the collaboration of Joon-ho and Pattinson, has not translated into the expected success, prompting comparisons to the source material, which is largely viewed as superior.
This release on JioHotstar presents an opportunity for audiences who may have missed its theatrical run to engage with the film at home. Given the film’s unique premise and the talented cast, there remains hope that viewers will appreciate it in the comfort of their own space, possibly resonating more with its themes of identity and existence.