Movie Review: In ‘Mercy,’ Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge
Movie Review: In ‘Mercy,’ Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge
Publish Date: 2026-01-21 16:46:00
Source Domain: abcnews.go.com
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Countdown Tension: The presence of a countdown clock throughout the film is intended to heighten the tension, similar to scenes in action thrillers where a ticking bomb creates urgency.
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AI Judiciary System: In the near-future setting of “Mercy,” AI has replaced traditional lawyers and juries in the legal system, giving accused individuals access to digital footprints to build their own defense.
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Character Background and Development: Chris Raven, played by Chris Pratt, wakes up in an unusual electric chair with gaps in his memory, and is given 90 minutes to prove his innocence of killing his wife. His background and previous support for the AI system could have added more depth.
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Unreliable Narrative: The film relies heavily on contrived plot elements and leaves many questions unanswered, making it difficult to stay invested in the main character’s journey.
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Character and Role Choices: Rebecca Ferguson’s AI judge is portrayed as an emotionless, robotic figure, stripping her of her usual charisma and leading to a less engaging representation of the AI system.
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Limited Character Interaction: With much of the film relying on screens and virtual connections, characters like Jaq, played by Kali Reis, have limited real-world interaction, leaving viewers more engaged with the isolated and solitary experiences.
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Overall Reception: Despite its intriguing premise, “Mercy” ultimately feels tedious and lacking in investment due to a poor script and lack of deeper exploration of its interesting concepts.
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Rating and Release: The film, released by Amazon MGM, has received a rating of PG-13 for drug content, bloody images, and strong language, and runs for 101 minutes with an average critical reception of 1.5 stars out of 4.
