With Oscars and Bafta nominations being recently released, discussions surrounding the award season are at an all-time high. There has been a plethora of accusations thrown around, snubbing being a point of focus. However, I would argue the main snub of the season has to be Mickey 17.
Mickey 17 was released in April of 2025, and it was announced back in 2022, but was delayed a few times. It is directed by Bong Joon Ho, the director of the award-winning film Parasite. It stars Robert Pattinson, who plays Mickey, a man who accidentally signs up as an “expendable” on a fascist voyage to space. Mickey is originally running away from crime lords, to whom he owes a major debt, and he finds a space voyage led by a failed political figure who wants to colonize the planet Niflheim and turn it into a “superior state.”
As an expendable, Mickey is used by the voyage on dangerous missions as a clone. Each time he dies on a mission, he is brought back to life in the same body with a slightly different personality. When the movie starts, it follows Mickey 17, the 17th clone, who is presumed dead. However, he doesn’t die, but another clone of Mickey, Mickey 18, is brought to life. This creates chaos on their spaceship and a comically grim mood. Overall, the movie is well-executed across many different categories.
The acting performance by Robert Pattinson, in particular, is a standout. He plays two oppositely tempered Mickeys. Mickey 17 is sheepish, while Mickey 18 is hot-tempered, an impressive range. Performances by Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Ackie are also impressive as well. Mark Ruffalo plays the dictator and villain in the movie, portraying an evil and morally unjust man. Naomi Ackie plays Nasha, Mickey’s love interest, who’s a valued member of the mission, unlike him.
Additionally, the film’s cinematography is enthralling and keeps the audience engaged in the science-fiction world. The humor combined with the timely message surrounding the rise of fascism in the United States and across the globe makes the film stand out. Overall, its lack of any award nominations was deeply disappointing to me. The film was more adventurous than many other films released in 2025, but if anything, I’d argue that should make it even more appealing to critics. Overall, Mickey 17 was a deeply enjoyable movie that went underappreciated in the awards season.
