The movie Mercy, starring Chris Pratt, presents a tense vision of 2029 Los Angeles, where artificial intelligence controls the justice system, assuming suspects are guilty unless proven innocent. This AI-driven legal framework places police detective Chris Raven, portrayed by Pratt, in an intense battle to prove his innocence after being accused of murdering his wife.
The High-Stakes Plot Unfolding in a Futuristic Courtroom
Set amidst rising violence, Chris Raven wakes up shackled in a chair before Maddox, an AI judge played by Rebecca Ferguson, which he helped develop. He faces a critical 90-minute window to establish his innocence or face immediate execution. The film’s narrative is built around this gripping time frame, amplifying the pressure Raven endures under the AI’s unyielding judgment.
A Unique Theatrical Filming Style to Capture Emotion and Tension
Director Timur Bekmambetov employed an unconventional approach, making the movie feel like a theatre play. Pratt and Ferguson performed long scenes on separate stages, communicating through earpieces. The actors’ performances relied heavily on emotion and pacing, with Pratt explaining that being physically restrained in the chair enhanced his sense of claustrophobia and struggle.
“I found it helpful because I truly felt I could fight against it, and felt even more claustrophobic,”
said Pratt.
Ferguson described embodying the AI Maddox as a novel experience tapping into robotic but human-like emotions. She recalled,
“I’ve never played a robot or AI tapping into human emotions. The conversations that came with that were really fun.”
To express the limited physicality of Maddox, Bekmambetov guided Ferguson through a chart of emotions, even instructing her to “smile at the oddest moment,” since much of the character’s expression had to come from subtle cues, especially her eyes.
Exploring Surveillance and Digital Footprints in the Legal Fight
Mercy’s story also highlights the pervasive presence of technology in citizens’ lives. Maddox can access the city’s cloud, where all citizens are legally required to connect their devices, enabling Raven to sift through social media, surveillance footage, police cameras, and doorbell recordings to find evidence. The film leverages Bekmambetov’s “screenlife” style, showing much of the action on digital displays that illuminate the futuristic courtroom walls.
The Film’s Immersive Experience Invites Self-Reflection Among Viewers
Chris Pratt emphasized that the intense narrative encourages audiences to reflect on their own digital histories and vulnerabilities. He warned,
“They’re going to probably be thinking, ‘I’ve etched each of my actions in digital stone over the past 12 to 15 years. If I’m ever put in a position where this could be used against me, there’s a lot of stuff out there.’”
Pratt added,
“You’re kind of on the same journey with my character. As I’m defending myself, you’re sort of defending your own actions. It’s like your life is being thrown at you. It’s a little bit jarring.”
Upcoming Release and Broader Impact
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy is set to open in Singapore cinemas on January 29, 2026. Its blend of AI-powered legal thriller and innovative filmmaking challenges viewers to confront the uneasy realities of surveillance and judgment in an increasingly digital world. As the line between technology and justice blurs, Mercy serves as a reflection of modern anxieties surrounding privacy, guilt, and the human cost of relying on artificial intelligence to determine fate.
