The conclusion of "Mickey 17" elucidates the fate of the protagonist and the overarching themes of the narrative. As the story wraps up, we see how Mickey 17 confronts the implications of his existence as a replicant and the challenges he faces in a complex environment. The ending emphasizes the struggle for identity and the moral dilemmas surrounding cloning and consciousness. The resolution brings clarity to the character's journey and the consequences of his actions, leaving the audience with thought-provoking questions about life and individuality.

      After several years of anticipation, director Bong Joon-ho's new sci-fi comedy film, Mickey 17, has finally been released in theaters. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film centers on Mickey, a man struggling with misfortune who volunteers to become an "expendable" laborer on the ice planet Niflheim for a chance at a new beginning. However, his fresh starts are cut short as his job requires him to die and be reborn in a cloned body, ultimately leading him to fight for survival when a war erupts with Niflheim's native creatures.

      This narrative differs significantly from Bong’s more realistic dark comedy, Parasite. Nonetheless, Bong presents another dark satire through Mickey 17’s storyline, filled with unexpected twists and profound implications regarding humanity and its future. Simultaneously, it offers audiences a glimpse of the potential direction for Bong and his new sci-fi franchise.

      What’s the plot of Mickey 17?

      Warner Bros. Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures

      Mickey 17 depicts Mickey Barnes and his business partner Timo fleeing from a loan shark after their macaron shop fails. In a bid to escape their debts and avoid death, the pair enlists for a colonization mission to Niflheim, led by the authoritarian politician Kenneth Marshall and his wife, Ylfa. As an expendable, Mickey faces numerous life-threatening challenges during his journey to Niflheim, where the ship's scientists essentially treat him as a test subject, repeatedly killing him to experiment with chemical weapons or develop vaccines to ensure the crew's survival in their new environment.

      Although Mickey’s 17th incarnation falls into a ravine and is presumed dead, he is rescued by the native inhabitants of Niflheim, known as the “Creepers.” On his return to the ship, Mickey 17 discovers that another clone has been created, leading both clones to become “multiples.” Since multiples are illegal following a serial killer’s cloning spree, Mickeys 17 and 18 find themselves in a deadly race against each other before their superiors decide to eliminate them both. Unfortunately, they are later caught and imprisoned alongside their love interest, Nasha.

      As a consequence of their actions, Marshall sends the two Mickeys to eliminate the swarm of Creepers attacking the ship, one of which has taken one of their young captive. Using a high-tech translator, both Mickeys agree to return the child Creeper and take one human life to balance the scales after the crew's previous killing of a Creeper. This act leads Nasha and her companions to stage a rebellion against Marshall and Ylfa, eventually returning the young Creeper to its community. However, Mickey 18 sacrifices himself in an explosion with Marshall, fulfilling their agreement and establishing peace with the Creepers.

      What does it mean?

      Warner Bros. Pictures

      Mickey, Nasha, and their rebel allies are imprisoned for their uprising. Fortunately, they are later acquitted, and Nasha emerges as a prominent figure in the Niflheim colony. Thanks to her efforts, the expendables program is abolished, and Mickey destroys the machine used to create clones of himself. Before doing so, he experiences a nightmare of Ylfa, who had died earlier, using the printer to produce a clone of Marshall, suggesting this is what Mickey desired.

      Despite being a dream, the cloning of Marshall by Ylfa serves as a metaphor for the persistence of the fascism they represented, implying that someone similar could potentially rise to power if malicious ideologies endure. This scene also reflects Mickey's apprehension about destroying the clone printer, as his death would then become truly final. However, Mickey opts not to let fear dictate his actions; he wakes from the nightmare and destroys the printer, ensuring neither he nor Marshall can be resurrected. This moment signifies Mickey’s acceptance of himself as an individual, as the film transitions its title from “Mickey 17” to “Mickey Barnes” to affirm this transformation.

      While Mickey 17 does not directly set the stage for a sequel, Edward Ashton has written a follow-up to Mickey7 titled Antimatter Blues. This novel presents a foundation for continuations of Bong Joon-ho’s film, featuring Mickey on another adventure to save his colony by restoring its power, all while navigating life without the option of returning as a clone. This narrative aligns with Mickey's decision to eliminate all cloning technology by the film's conclusion, suggesting a potential sequel could follow a similar premise.

      Mickey’s nightmare might also foreshadow the emergence of a new antagonist akin to Marshall and Ylfa in a sequel, perpetuating the cycle of oppression evident in the original film. Although this concept could lead to a captivating follow-up, Mickey 17 offers a self-contained, satisfying story. While the evil of Marshall and Ylfa may manifest in another form, Mickey Barnes appears prepared to embrace his new life in Niflheim.