Chris Pratt sci-fi movie redemption is at stake as his next project, Mercy, aims to turn the tide after a mixed track record in original science fiction films. Set to star Pratt as a detective fighting to prove his innocence, Mercy is positioned as a pivotal moment for the actor to reestablish himself within the genre, following years of critical and commercial setbacks outside of established franchises.
Chris Pratt’s Sci-Fi Performances: A Checkered History
Across his impressive career, Chris Pratt has become one of Hollywood’s highest earning actors, with his films—especially his leadership in franchise movies—amassing notable box office returns that total nearly $6 billion globally. Beyond these franchise successes, particularly his Marvel Cinematic Universe roles, Pratt’s presence in science fiction films has sparked divided opinions and fluctuating audience reception.
While his performances in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Garfield Movie faced criticism for their perceived limited vocal range, his live-action sci-fi projects have struggled to satisfy both critics and general audiences. Notable attempts, such as Passengers, The Tomorrow War, and The Electric State, all fell short in various respects. Despite Passengers drawing some attention at the box office, it ended with a subdued global total relative to its production cost. Meanwhile, The Tomorrow War made a modest impact through streaming, and The Electric State, while registering viewership, suffered heavily from overwhelmingly poor reviews.
Critical and Commercial Challenges in Previous Sci-Fi Films
Though Pratt has ventured repeatedly into science fiction, his movies in this genre have yet to become truly notable successes. Passengers was particularly poorly received, registering a low 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes and failing to generate much enthusiasm, with a global haul of $303 million against a $110 million budget. The Tomorrow War landed only slightly better with a 51% score but failed to attract lasting attention, especially after its debut on Prime Video. The Electric State, the most recent addition, scored only 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, underlining Pratt’s ongoing difficulties in earning positive feedback for original sci-fi projects.
This string of poorly received films indicates a recurring struggle, with each entry missing either critical acclaim, mass audience approval, or both. In the context of his career, it is clear that while Pratt can anchor major franchise releases, his standalone science fiction endeavors have seen little sustained respect or success from critics and moviegoers alike.
‘Mercy’: A New Direction for Chris Pratt in Science Fiction
Mercy now presents itself as a possible turning point for Pratt’s reputation in the sci-fi field. The film carries the intriguing premise of a detective being wrongfully accused and fighting to clear his name, offering both dramatic and genre appeal. Timur Bekmambetov is directing, with a cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis, Noah Fearnley, and Chris Sullivan, suggesting a production designed for a broad and engaged audience.
Mercy, by engaging with traditional science fiction themes while focusing on a thriller-like storyline, provides Pratt the opportunity to finally deliver a performance that resonates on both a commercial and critical level. Pratt himself promoted the film strongly, calling the movie “inventive” and “absolutely original.” If the final product mirrors this early enthusiasm, Mercy could mark his first widely praised entry into standalone sci-fi cinema.
What’s at Stake with ‘Mercy’ and the Future of Pratt in Sci-Fi
The success of Mercy is pivotal not only for Pratt’s aspirations within the genre but also for the confidence studios place in him as a sci-fi lead. So far, outside of his role in superhero-infused productions like Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt’s forays into science fiction have consistently failed to unite critical and commercial triumph. Mercy represents the latest trial, and possibly the last opportunity, for Pratt to reverse this pattern.
If Mercy manages to break the long-standing cycle of disappointment and prove itself both a critical standout and a box office hit, it could renew faith in Pratt as a viable lead for future science fiction projects. On the other hand, should Mercy falter, it risks cementing his reputation as a star unfit to carry original sci-fi films, making future investments in similar vehicles unlikely.
The coming months will reveal whether Mercy redefines Chris Pratt’s legacy in science fiction, or whether it becomes another addition to a list of missed opportunities in a genre that has, so far, eluded lasting acclaim for the prolific actor.
