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Mercy Opens Friday With AI-Judge Thriller Led by Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson

Built from surveillance-style screenlife footage and a performance Pratt grounded by being physically locked into a chair, the film arrives as early reviews diverge and projections point to a soft opening.

Overview

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios release Mercy in theaters on January 23 in 3D, in English and Hindi.
  • Set in near-future Los Angeles, the story follows a detective given 90 minutes to prove he didn’t kill his wife before an AI judge executes him, drawing evidence from the citywide LA Municipal Cloud.
  • Director Timur Bekmambetov’s screenlife approach uses phone, doorbell, body-cam and drone footage, with 40–50 minute sequences performed as the leads acted on separate stages via earpieces.
  • Chris Pratt says he asked to be locked into the executioner’s chair during takes to heighten claustrophobia and authenticity, calling the role a sharp departure from his usual persona.
  • Early reactions range from praise for the tension, tech immersion and performances to sharp criticism of tone and casting, and one report forecasts weak domestic opening-weekend sales based on presales.