What Does Mickey 17’s Nightmare Mean? Dream Explained

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As a devoted admirer, I found the terrifying dream scene in Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi satire, “Mickey 17,” to be a crucial turning point in the story. This chilling sequence delved into Mickey’s profound fears about maintaining the human printing machine, revealing its far-reaching implications. In a recent chat, the esteemed director offered insight into the significance of this climactic moment.

What did Mickey 17’s nightmare at the end mean?

In Bong Joon-ho’s film “Mickey 17,” Robert Pattinson’s character, Mickey, was the disposable one. Throughout the movie, he perished multiple times and was recreated using a human replicator. Just before the climax, the seventeenth iteration of Mickey was given a red button to obliterate the machine that had caused him immense suffering. However, the gravity of this momentous choice made him envision a reality where the device continued to operate.

In Mickey’s dreamlike state, it’s Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), the authoritative figure, who steps out from the printer, with Ylfa (Toni Collette) present in the room. As Mickey converses with Ylfa, a memory surfaces: the wife of the populist leader had also passed away. This disturbing thought hints that she might have been brought back to life by the device as well. The suspenseful dream reaches its peak when Mickey spots blood on his hand, jolting him back into full consciousness.

Mickey’s haunting nightmare reveals his deep-rooted anxiety about humans misusing printing technology, a fear that stems from a past trauma. Years ago, accidentally pressing a red button resulted in his mother’s untimely death. Now, clutching the controller to destroy a machine, he hesitates again. This time, activating the red button might save Niflheim’s future instead of causing destruction. This internal conflict serves as the emotional core of the film’s climax.

Director Bong Joon-ho, creator of Okja, expressed his thoughts about the movie’s ending in an interview with Vulture. He explained, “I aimed to conclude the film with a feeling of unease, suggesting that this nightmare could recur again. Technology is alluring; it offers numerous conveniences, and for those profiting from it, its temptation is particularly strong.

In the movie Mickey 17, a machine resembling a human printer symbolically portrayed how those with unrestrained power often mistreat and take advantage of the less powerful. When Mickey ultimately chose to destroy this machine, it signified a glimmer of hope that morality could overcome technology posing a threat to humanity. This crucial scene serves as a potent illustration of resistance against exploitation within Bong’s profoundly thoughtful sci-fi parable.

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2025-03-10 15:10