Is Mickey 17 Really the Last Mickey? Or Could the Cycle Start Again?

Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 leaves audiences with a seemingly definitive conclusion—the expendable program is over, and Mickey 17 is the last of his kind. But is he really? Science fiction has a way of looping back on itself, and in a world where technology and human ambition often override moral boundaries, can we really say for certain that the cycle won’t begin again?

The End of the Expendable Program—Or Just a Pause?

By the movie’s conclusion, Mickey 17 and Nasha ensure that the only printer on Nilfheim is destroyed, effectively outlawing the production of new expendables. This seems to cement Mickey 17 as the last iteration, but history—both real and fictional—suggests that once a technology exists, it never truly disappears. The expendable program was already banned on Earth before Nilfheim colonists revived it. If it was resurrected once, what stops it from happening again?

The Power of Forbidden Knowledge

A crucial aspect of the expendable program isn’t just the machine that prints clones—it’s the knowledge of how to do so. Even if Mickey 17 destroys the physical printer, the process itself is still known by someone, somewhere. Knowledge is rarely lost forever, and the lure of creating an expendable—someone who can take on the most dangerous tasks without risking permanent loss—could prove too tempting for future leaders, scientists, or even rogue factions.

The Political Factor: Will the Next Leader Follow the Rules?

Nasha, who takes on a major leadership role after Marshall’s demise, supports the abolition of the expendable program. However, power shifts quickly, and if a new leader with different priorities rises in Nilfheim, they could justify reintroducing the program. After all, the same logic that was used to create the first expendable—preserving human lives by sacrificing clones—could be used again in times of crisis. If the colony faces food shortages, hostile threats, or a dwindling workforce, an expendable may once again seem like a necessary evil.

Mickey 17’s Own Role in the Cycle

There’s an ironic twist to the idea that Mickey 17 is the final one. His entire existence was built upon the idea of repeating cycles, of one version dying and another being printed to replace him. Even if he’s no longer expendable in name, his role as someone who sacrifices himself for the greater good still exists.

In a way, Mickey 17’s journey doesn’t fully break the cycle—it simply transforms it. He remains the same person, but his fight is no longer against death and replacement; it’s against a system that might one day try to undo his progress. This means that even though he may be the last printed Mickey, his battle against being “expendable” in a different way could continue indefinitely.

The Creepers’ Perspective: A Natural Alternative?

The Creepers, the native species of Nilfheim, play an important part in the movie’s resolution. Their supposed ability to destroy humanity with a deadly frequency turns out to be a bluff, yet they are still a powerful force. Could their existence serve as a natural deterrent to another expendable program?

Mickey 17’s final actions bridge the gap between humans and Creepers, creating a fragile peace. If that peace holds, perhaps humanity will have less reason to revive the expendable system. However, if tensions rise again, desperate humans may try to bring back expendables as weapons or shields against their alien neighbors.

Could Mickey 17 Ever Agree to Another Clone?

One of the most interesting possibilities is whether Mickey 17 himself might ever approve of another expendable. If Nilfheim faces a new, seemingly unsolvable crisis, could he be persuaded that another clone—just one more—would be necessary? After all, he once accepted the role of an expendable willingly, believing it to be the only way forward. His current stance against the program is strong, but circumstances can change, and difficult choices may arise in the future.

Conclusion: A Cycle Waiting to Begin Again?

Mickey 17 presents an ending that feels final, but in reality, history shows that endings are often just temporary pauses. While Mickey 17 may be the last clone for now, the potential for the cycle to restart is always lurking in the shadows. Whether it comes from human desperation, scientific ambition, or unforeseen conflicts, the possibility of another expendable emerging can never truly be ruled out.

So, is Mickey 17 really the last Mickey? For now, perhaps. But in the world of science fiction—and human nature—nothing ever stays buried forever.