Mickey 17: A Legal and Ethical Examination of Human Cloning and the Dangers of Extremist Leadership
★★★☆☆ Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 is a philosophical and politically charged yet satirically humorous science fiction film that explores themes of identity, human dignity, and the ethical implications of cloning. Adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film follows Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson), an “Expendable” tasked with undertaking suicidal missions in an interstellar colonization effort. With each death, he is regenerated as a new clone, retaining the memories of his predecessors. However, when Mickey 17 returns to find that he has been replaced by Mickey 18, the film spirals into a compelling narrative about self-worth, bodily autonomy, and the legal status of clones. The Ethical Quandary of Human Cloning The film’s central conflict—the infinite replaceability of an individual—raises profound ethical questions about the moral status of clones. Mickey 17 serves as a cautionary tale against the unchecked use of human cloning, aligning with real-world ethical debate...
