Mickey 17: A Disjointed Sci-Fi Journey But Missed Potential"

MOVIE REVIEW

RATING: 6.5/10

1 min read

I have to say, Mickey 17 left me pretty disappointed. Though it’s enjoyable at times, the movie ultimately feels way too long and unfocused. From the start, it’s clear the film has some interesting ideas and potential, but it struggles mightily with coherence. The plot is all over the place, bouncing between multiple intriguing subplots that sadly lead nowhere. It's frustrating because you can tell there’s a good movie buried underneath all the chaos.

Robert Pattinson is easily the highlight here. His portrayal of the different Mickeys is fantastic, showcasing a unique charm, wit, and vulnerability that keeps you invested even when the story doesn’t. Naomi Ackie is another major standout, matching Pattinson’s energy with a compelling and grounded performance that helps keep parts of the movie afloat. Whenever either of them is on screen, the movie feels alive and vibrant.

Unfortunately, not all of the casting choices work. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette’s characters are unbearable whenever they share a scene. Their over-the-top, almost cartoonish performances feel completely out of place, clashing with the more grounded and introspective tone of the Mickeys' storyline. It's jarring and pulls you out of the movie every single time.

The film shines brightest when it leans into its sci-fi elements. There are genuinely fascinating concepts here—ideas about identity, mortality, and existence—but they’re frustratingly underexplored. Instead, the movie often meanders, and Mickey’s constant narrating, while charming at first, eventually becomes repetitive and annoying.

That said, I did appreciate the movie’s quirky, kooky tone and offbeat sense of humor. It has moments of charm and cleverness that make you wish it had stuck the landing more firmly. However, I definitely wouldn’t call this a must-see in theaters. It lacks the epic scale, visual grandeur, or emotional punch to justify the big-screen experience.

Mickey 17 feels much more suited for streaming, where its oddball energy and uneven pacing would be easier to digest at home rather than in a theater seat for over two hours. It’s not a complete disaster by any means, but it’s a pretty significant letdown given the talent involved and the potential of its premise.