Movie Review: Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge

The film “Mercy” presents a compelling near-future scenario where AI judges are used in the legal system to streamline and improve court proceedings, but it fails to adequately explore the deeper ethical implications of such technology.
The central plot revolves around Chris Pratt’s character, a Los Angeles detective who must defend his innocence against an AI judge within a tight 90-minute time frame. The film uses a countdown clock, a choice intended to heighten tension but ultimately comes off as a monotonous reminder of the film’s shortcomings.
The story struggles with contrived plot devices, particularly surrounding Pratt’s character, who faces memory gaps and personal issues such as a drinking problem following a tragic on-the-job death.
The film’s choice to have an actress, Rebecca Ferguson, play the AI judge is criticized as unoriginal and uninspiring, detracting from the otherwise intriguing premise of an AI judicial system.
The story remains ambiguous as to whether or not Pratt’s character is guilty, but it does not convincingly build tension or stakes, leaving the viewer disconnected from the narrative’s outcome.
The film largely confines characters to virtual spaces, relying heavily on screens to display events, contributing to an overall sense of disinterest and disengagement from the plot.