Mickey 17’s Creepers Explained: What Are These Mysterious Aliens?

Nivedita Dubey
March 13, 2025

Key Points:

The Creepers are the indigenous species of Niflheim, coexisting in a structured hierarchy of “mama, juniors, and babies.”
Despite initial hostility, the Creepers are peaceful, only bluffing their lethal abilities to protect their own.
Their intelligence and communication skills prove crucial, shaping the film’s themes of colonialism, coexistence, and understanding.

The Native Inhabitants of Niflheim: Who Are the Creepers?

Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon-ho, introduces audiences to the Creepers, an alien species native to the icy planet Niflheim. These creatures play a vital role in the film’s central conflict, challenging human colonization and forcing protagonist Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) to rethink his mission.

The Creepers are not mindless monsters. Rather, they are intelligent, organized beings with a deep connection to their environment. They have evolved intricate social structures, living in hierarchical groups led by a “mama” Creeper. The junior and baby Creepers exhibit playful, curious behaviors, adding depth to their characterization. Bong Joon-ho has stated that their design was partially inspired by a croissant, blending realism with his signature absurdist style.

How the Creepers Fit Into Mickey 17’s Story

The human colonization of Niflheim, led by Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), threatens the Creepers’ survival. Marshall sees them as obstacles, naming them “Creepers” due to their unsettling appearance. His plan to eradicate the Creepers mirrors real-world colonialism, positioning the species as victims of human expansionism.

Mickey Barnes, initially indifferent, forms an unexpected bond with the Creepers. When Mickey 17 falls into an icy cave, the mama Creeper saves him instead of killing him, revealing their peaceful nature. This act challenges Marshall’s propaganda, setting the stage for a moral conflict about human arrogance and indigenous rights.

Why the Creepers Don’t Kill Humans

Early in the film, Mickey 17 suspects that the Creepers simply find him unappetizing due to his repeated cloning. However, this assumption is false. In reality, the Creepers don’t kill because it’s not in their nature. Their supposed lethal screeching is later revealed to be a bluff, used only to scare humans into leaving them alone.

Their intelligence is further emphasized when they communicate with Mickey, showing that they understand human actions and emotions. Instead of resorting to violence, they negotiate, deceive when necessary, and ultimately seek peaceful resolution.

The Creepers’ Role in the Film’s Climax

The turning point comes when Marshall captures a baby Creeper, sparking a crisis between the species. The Creepers demand its return, using their screeching ability to trick humans into believing they can wipe them out. Their strategic thinking ultimately saves their kind, as the baby is safely returned thanks to Mickey 17, Mickey 18, and Nasha (Naomi Ackie).

The resolution marks a shift in human-alien relations, as the Creepers and humans agree to coexist on Niflheim rather than continue hostilities.

How the Creepers Differ from the Book

Mickey 17 is based on Mickey7, a novel by Edward Ashton. However, significant changes were made to the Creepers:

In the book, the Creepers behave more like a hive mind, while the movie depicts them as individuals with distinct personalities.
There is no captured baby Creeper subplot in the book, meaning their role in shaping the film’s climax is entirely new.
Marshall survives in the book, forcing Mickey to manipulate him into believing the Creepers possess a powerful antimatter bomb.

Despite these changes, both versions emphasize the theme of coexistence, with Mickey serving as a bridge between humans and the Creepers.

The Creepers embody Bong Joon-ho’s signature storytelling approach, blending sci-fi spectacle with social allegory. Their struggle against human colonization mirrors real-world indigenous conflicts, while their intelligence and deception challenge assumptions about alien encounters.

Source: Entertainment Weekly