Decoded: Mickey 17’s Shocking Dream Sequence Revealed!

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The eighth film by director Bong Joon-Ho, titled Mickey 17, has been eagerly anticipated since his previous hit, “Parasite,” won Best Picture and Palme d’Or in 2019. With a stellar cast that includes Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and others, excitement for this movie has been growing. The release date was changed four times before settling on March 7, 2025, which only increased the buzz. Although some details about the sci-fi plot, featuring “human reprints” and round alien creatures, have been shared, many aspects remain a secret.

After making its debut at the International Berlin Film Festival last month, Mickey 17 has now arrived, garnering considerable acclaim. In true Bong Joon-Ho fashion, it presents a complex narrative that requires some unraveling. Here’s an attempt to understand the ending and connect it with the film’s broader themes (without plagiarizing).

Oh Mickey, You’re So Not Fine?

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In the year 2054, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) chooses to join the ranks of the “Expendables.” This decision thrusts him into perilous situations with a loan shark. The term “Expendable” refers to individuals who are essentially human guinea pigs. A controversial and eccentric politician named Kenneth Marshall (Ruffalo) finances a space colony where scientists conduct experiments on these Expendables using advanced technology that can resurrect those who have perished, similar to a biological printer. Due to the heated debate surrounding the ethical implications of such practices, it is now forbidden to create or test on Expendables on earth. A large number of people who support Marshall live aboard this spaceship, which is preparing to embark on a journey to colonize a planet called Nilfheim and establish an idealized society.

Consequently, Mickey repeatedly meets his demise aboard the spaceship and on various planets, subjected to ghastly scenarios such as encountering lethal viruses and radiation, being hurled into infernos, and so forth. Yet, there’s a silver lining in his agonizing existence – a fellow resident of the ship, a security agent named Minnie. Their relationship deepens profoundly, transcending the rigid structure of the spaceship, which encompasses restrictions on their food supply and intimate interactions.

Eat Your Heart Out, Baby Yoda

In their latest adventure on Nilfheim, Mickey finds himself in his seventeenth life (Mickey 17). Upon arrival, a colossal insect species thwarted full colonization and led indirectly to the demise of an agent. Assigned to gather information about these space bugs, dubbed “creepers” by Marshall, Mickey 17 braces for his impending end at the hands of the mother creeper. But as he regains consciousness, disoriented, it turns out that the creepers are instead lifting him to safety.

Upon returning to the spaceship, Mickey 17 discovers Mickey 18 in his private quarters. It seems that the crew had revived Mickey 18, thinking Mickey 17 was deceased. This poses a serious issue since “multiples” – as the movie terms them – are forbidden according to protocol due to a past violent event. Consequently, Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 become hostile towards each other, realizing that if they’re both detected, they will be eliminated.

While 17 is calm-natured and often seeks compromise, 18 is hot-tempered and prefers confrontation to the extreme. Their altercation is abruptly halted, leaving 18 to escort Nasha back to her chambers, much to 17’s displeasure. On the other hand, 17 ends up at a formal dinner with Marshall and his wife Ylfa (Collette), who has an unusual fondness for sauces. There, he is served tainted steak for another test, making him severely sick and pleading for mercy. Back in his room, 17 recovers, and when 18 learns about the dinner incident, he vows to take revenge on Marshall.

Clones, Creepers, Corruption, Oh My!

In a surprising turn of events, Marshall unveils his new, gleaming Nilfheim rock with sinister intentions. Suddenly, creatures burst forth from the stone, causing chaos. A supporter of Marshall tackles Mickey 18 and takes away his gun as Nasha and Mickey 17 become entangled in the ensuing confusion. Scientists are able to capture one baby creeper for study, but the crowd panics and shoots down another baby creeper, resulting in its death.

From their confinement or prison cells, it is essential to note that Mickey 17 and Nasha remain imprisoned.

Marshall and Ylfa grant permission to Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 to embark on a treacherous snowstorm for a life-or-death competition. However, Mickey 17 uses a novel communication device to inform the hovering mother creeper that they are there due to their grief over the loss of her offspring. She reveals that if another creeper dies (the one being used for research), the mother will emit a piercing sound that could cause the brains and eyesight of every human to disintegrate.

In simpler terms, Mickey 17 communicates with Nasha and successfully rescues a baby creature, then gives it back to its mother. Annoyed by what appears to be Mickey 17 talking to an alien, Marshall heads out into the storm. Tragically, Mickey 18 takes advantage of this situation and explodes a bomb on Marshall’s chest, resulting in their deaths.

Ending Explained: Mickey’s Dream

Six months on, Nasha holds a position as a council member for the colony. Word reached them that Ylfa perished the day following Marshall. In their progress, Nasha and Mickey 17 have been working towards dismantling the Expendables program. Gathering for a ceremony, they were to officially destroy the printer used for creating Expendables. As Mickey 17 listened to Nasha’s speech,

It came to light that Ylfa had committed suicide and her blood was discovered in a mysterious red substance spilled everywhere during the process of regenerating Marshall. She begged Mickey 17 to taste it, but he refused to learn its secret ingredient. Then, on the brink of awakening, it was disclosed that Ylfa had inflicted self-harm and the “sauce” strongly hinted at being her blood. Upon waking, Mickey 17’s loved ones urged him to

The assembly ignited spontaneously into flames.

Title character Mickey 17 is remarkably relevant and brimming with underlying meanings. Yet, it doesn’t hinder its ability to be darkly amusing or a thrilling ride, a balance that Director Joon-Ho has consistently achieved effortlessly. Discussing the film’s ending as well as scenes like Mickey’s dream requires extensive analysis. Let us delve into the most striking aspect first. It is common knowledge that Mickey 17 is a scathing satire, primarily targeting contemporary politics, particularly American politics and colonialism. Marshall serves as an unmistakable caricature of a specific political figure, while the space technology angle mirrors current events. There are numerous intriguing themes within Mickey 17 to delve into, but even on a first viewing, it appears to be a critique of the exploitation of human resources. Moreover, Mickey 17 tackles various themes such as the environment, capitalism, white supremacy, and more. To top it off, it is incredibly absurd.

For instance, you could easily spend hours dissecting just this brief but dense dream sequence between Ylfa and Mickey, which subtly incorporates all these themes.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that Mickey, a character, carries a heavy burden of guilt over his mother’s death, which he thinks he caused by pressing a red button while they were in a car together. The impending explosion that will wipe out the printer is also on the opposite side of a red button. As he stands on the brink of the difficult decision to press this button, he has a dream. This dream features Ylfa and Marshall, who have caused him immense suffering for years. It’s plausible that he dreams about them because they represent such profound pain in his life. Maybe he fears that the removal of such a towering political figure ( ) would leave a void, even if it means destroying the only thing capable of granting them new life. More likely, he is terrified that another person like him might emerge. There’s also a possibility that gentle Mickey, after all he has been through, harbors some remorse.

In the story Mickey 17, Ylfa, in a disturbing display of disregard for her own pain and an apparent symbol of class, frequently prepares elaborate sauces for Mickey. One of these sauces is made from a baby creeper’s tail, which she presents to Mickey as an honor. This callous act mirrors the story’s themes of exploitation of life in medical trials, greed, and colonialization, as Ylfa values her enjoyment, wealth, and consumption above other living beings. Eventually, Mickey must grapple with this inner conflict before he can choose to press that red button.

“Mickey Barnes”

The final scene before the credits ends with a shift from “Mickey 17” to “Mickey Barnes” on screen, symbolically representing Mickey reclaiming his personal identity beyond being labeled as disposable. This understated commentary underscores the value and irreplaceability of human life and individual workers, by stripping away the impersonal numbers and restoring his last name instead.

Mickey 17 is now playing in theaters everywhere.

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2025-03-08 21:34