Mickey 17 Fans Must Watch Shyamalan’s ‘Old’ for a Mind-Bending Experience!

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Let me confess something: Mickey 17 seems remarkably similar to the movie The Village by M. Night Shyamalan, you know, the one about the mysterious beach that accelerates aging? But It tells the story of a man named Mickey who opts to be an “Expendable,” essentially a human guinea pig subjected to repeated and painful deaths for medical research. Similar to many of director Bong Joon-Ho’s works, Mickey 17 serves as a sharp critique on contemporary employment and colonialism.

While Shyamalan is a filmmaker whose works are often recognized for their social commentary, albeit with a more lighthearted approach. For instance, Shyamalan’s observations on contemporary themes can be seen in his critically acclaimed modern masterpiece, “Old.” Interestingly, there are several thematic parallels between “Mickey 17” and “Old,” even though the latter is a highly anticipated film by an Academy Award-winning director and the former has become a lasting internet joke (the beach that supposedly ages you rapidly).

What Is ‘Old’ About?

In the style of ‘The White Lotus’, our narrative commences by introducing us to a collection of affluent individuals at a lavish resort in the Dominican Republic. Among them are Guy, Prisca, along with their children Maddox and Trent. The couple, who’ve been grappling with marital issues, are attempting to savor a relaxing vacation following the discovery that Prisca has an ovarian tumor. As they settle in, each guest is greeted with a personalized welcome cocktail.

Maddox and Trent form a connection with the resort manager’s nephew, Idlib. Later, the manager extends an invitation to the entire group, including their family, to a unique, secluded beach that can only be reached via hotel transportation. A handful of other visitors also find themselves on this private beach: Jarin and Patricia, who experiences frequent seizures; Dr. Charles along with his mother Agnes, wife Chrystal, and daughter Kara; lastly, the renowned rapper known as MidSize Sedan (a character name that’s downright amusing in the world of cinema).

The shuttle leaves the group at the beach, but things swiftly take a grim turn. Almost as soon as they arrive, Trent discovers the lifeless body of Midsize Sedan’s girlfriend floating in the sea. When they attempt to inform the hotel about this troubling find, they realize that the shuttle has already departed and there’s no cell service. They decide to make the most of their day at the beach, but Midsize Sedan starts having unpredictable nosebleeds, which makes Charles grow more and more suspicious of him.

1. Subsequently, Agnes unexpectedly passes away on the sandy shore. Not long after, the adults become aware that Trent, Maddox, and Cara are experiencing an alarming rate of growth. Their swimsuits now seem too small for them, and they exhibit an unusual appetite that surpasses the food supplies they brought. Simultaneously, the adults start noticing signs of aging in themselves, such as deteriorating vision or cognitive decline.

2. It soon becomes evident that two significant truths have surfaced: A) There appears to be some mysterious quality in this beach that accelerates aging, and B) Each group seems to have at least one individual grappling with a severe health issue.

Why Should You Watch ‘Old’?

I won’t give away the rest of the movie Old for those who haven’t experienced it themselves, as I believe it deserves to be seen firsthand. However, from someone who has watched it more than five times, I must say that Old is one of the most hilarious films ever produced. It didn’t receive enough acclaim as a comedic tour de force when it was released. Sadly, many viewers left the theater without realizing they had just witnessed something utterly bizarre. I think it should be considered a cult classic like The Rocky Horror Picture Show by now. Not only that, but the cast is exceptional. Actors such as Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie, Rufus Sewell, and Eliza Scanlen all deliver remarkable performances.

In watching “Old,” I was reminded of certain themes in “Mickey 17.” Without giving away the twist, let me say that “Old” offers a critique on Big Pharma and the disturbing practice of treating humans as test subjects. Similarly, while “Mickey 17” explores these ideas more broadly and perhaps more subtly, it shares these thematic concerns as well.

In a more casual, conversational style: Even though Mickey 17 is designed to make us chuckle, I’m not entirely convinced about Old. I definitely laugh at Old, but not with it. These two films could be brilliant additions to any movie night exploring the disposability of human capital. Throw in a few episodes of Severance for good measure. Although these movies come from filmmakers who couldn’t be more different, they form an intriguing pair. That’s because both have masterfully turned societal issues into extended metaphors. If you’re yearning for more of the witty satire and social criticism found in Mickey 17, then you might want to give Old a watch.

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2025-03-19 00:03