Bong Joon Ho, the Oscar-winning genius behind Parasite, is facing a surprising twist with his new sci-fi thriller Mickey 17. The film, starring Robert Pattinson as a disposable clone on a deadly mission, is projected to open with a lukewarm 18M−18M−20M in the U.S. this weekend—but that’s not the real story. Audiences are roasting the movie with a brutal B CinemaScore, sparking debates about whether the director’s bold vision backfired.
Industry insiders expected Mickey 17 to dominate, given Bong’s sky-high reputation and Pattinson’s post-Batman hype. Instead, the film’s grim tone and mind-bending plot left casual viewers cold. “It’s too weird,” one frustrated fan tweeted, while another joked, “I need a clone to explain the ending to me.” The B grade—a rare stumble for Bong—puts it in the same tier as infamous box office flops like Fantastic Four (2015). Ouch.
But critics are split. Some call it a “masterpiece of existential dread,” praising Pattinson’s haunting performance and the film’s jaw-dropping visuals. Others admit it’s “not for everyone,” leaning hard into the bleak, cerebral vibes that made Parasite a slow burn. So, why the disconnect? Analysts blame TikTok’s thirst for fast-paced, digestible storytelling. “Moviegoers wanted Parasite 2.0 in space,” says one expert. “Instead, they got a dark, philosophical puzzle.”
The $ 150M budget film needs strong overseas numbers to avoid disaster, especially with Dune: Part Two looming. But Bong’s fans aren’t panicking yet. After all, Parasite had a slow start too before conquering the Oscars. Will Mickey 17 rally, or is this one clone story doomed to crash? Grab your popcorn—this box office drama is just getting started.