Chris Pratt’s sci-fi thriller Mercy, which failed to attract large audiences during its theatrical release, is now gaining traction on digital platforms. Weeks after its lackluster box office performance, the film has climbed to become one of the most popular paid video on demand (PVOD) choices on the Apple TV Store, reflecting a potential turnaround in its overall success.
Mercy Finds New Audience on Streaming Platforms
According to Flix Patrol data, as of February 18, Mercy ranks sixth among the Apple TV Store’s top 10 paid movies. It trails behind major titles such as Marty Supreme, Zootopia 2, and The Housemaid, which currently holds the top spot. Despite this, Mercy has outperformed other significant films like Hamnet, Nuremberg, and Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, highlighting its emerging appeal on PVOD services.
The movie is set in a dystopian future, focusing on LAPD officer Detective Christopher Raven, portrayed by Chris Pratt, who must defend himself before an AI judge after being accused of murdering his wife. Rebecca Ferguson stars as the AI Judge Maddox, while the cast also features Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis as Nicole Raven, and Chris Sullivan, offering a strong ensemble lineup. Though the premise explores intriguing concepts, the film’s familiarity did not translate into box office success, as it only earned $53 million against a $60 million production budget.
Mercy’s reception has been mixed: while audiences gave it an 83% approval on Rotten Tomatoes’ fan-rated Popcornmeter, critics were far less impressed, assigning it a low 24% score on the Tomatometer. Professional reviewers criticized the film’s complex plot and the way it utilized Pratt’s star power, with some acknowledging that its brief 100-minute duration was one of its few redeeming qualities.
Chris Pratt’s Early Optimism About the Project
Despite Mercy’s poor critical and commercial reception, Chris Pratt expressed enthusiasm about the film during its production phase in May 2024. He described the movie as “absolutely original” and “wildly fresh,” praising its innovative storytelling. Reflecting on his initial reading of the script, Pratt said,
“The script was one of these scripts that, the minute I picked it up, I didn’t put it down until I was completely done with,”
acknowledging the strong draw the material had for him.
Pratt also commended director Timur Bekmambetov’s vision and producer Chuck Roven’s involvement as major reasons for his participation. Additionally, filming in Los Angeles was an important consideration for Pratt, who wanted to balance his career with family life. He explained,
“It shoots in Los Angeles, which is a big deal for me because I’m a father and I wanna be home in time to tuck my kids into bed,”
adding,
“That was a big part of it, too.”
Potential for Growth Through Digital Viewership
While its theatrical release was disappointing, Mercy still has a chance to establish a positive reputation via digital and streaming outlets. Similar recent sci-fi titles, like Disney’s Tron: Ares, struggled in theaters but rebounded to become streaming successes. Mercy does not yet have an official streaming release date but is expected to arrive on Prime Video eventually.
Currently, Mercy is available for purchase across multiple PVOD platforms, including YouTube, Amazon, and the Apple TV Store, where its rising popularity signals that more viewers may discover the film outside of cinemas.
Main Cast of Mercy
The film’s principal cast includes:
- Chris Pratt as Detective Christopher Raven, the LAPD officer at the center of the story.
- Rebecca Ferguson as Judge Maddox, the AI judicial authority overseeing Raven’s case.
- Kali Reis portraying Jacqueline ‘Jaq’ Diallo, a key supporting character.
- Annabelle Wallis as Nicole Raven (née Martin), Christopher’s wife whose death triggers the plot.
