Chris Pratt Faces AI Justice in Gritty New Thriller Mercy

Chris Pratt’s latest outing, Mercy, throws him into the thick of a high-stakes sci-fi drama. He steps into the shoes of Chris Raven, a detective accused of killing his own wife. With just an hour and a half to convince an artificial intelligence judge of his innocence, the pressure is on. The film’s premise is as tense as it sounds, and it’s not just the character who’s under the pump—Pratt himself found the experience a real test.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, who’s known for his knack for screenlife storytelling, the film leans heavily into the digital age. All the evidence and witness accounts in Raven’s trial are pulled from Los Angeles’ “municipal cloud”—a system where every local is required to back up their devices. Everything appears on a screen in front of Raven, making the whole process feel both futuristic and uncomfortably close to home.

Locked Down and Under Pressure

Throughout the trial, Raven is stuck in a chair, wrists and ankles cuffed, unable to move. Pratt didn’t shy away from the challenge.

“It was definitely a challenge, and something I hadn't done before,”

he shared. The physical restrictions weren’t just for show—Pratt actually asked the crew to lock the restraints for real, hoping the discomfort would add to his performance.

“But then restricting yourself by having your hands and feet locked and being stuck in a chair all day, it was a challenge,”

he added.

“I asked them to actually lock it so I could wrestle against it. And also, you know, if I was sweating and it was itching my face, I couldn't scratch it. I thought those restrictions might lend themselves to a better performance.”

AI on the Bench

Rebecca Ferguson takes on the role of Judge Maddox, the AI presiding over Raven’s fate. The digital judge, with all the evidence at its virtual fingertips, is a chilling reminder of how technology is creeping into every corner of life—even the justice system. The film’s use of the “municipal cloud” means nothing is private, and every detail of Raven’s life is up for scrutiny.

Mercy isn’t just a test for its main character. For Pratt, the experience of acting against a screen, with so much of the action happening digitally, was a new kind of challenge. The film’s unique approach and heavy reliance on tech set it apart from the usual crime thrillers, but it’s also drawn mixed reactions from punters and critics alike.

Mixed Reception and What’s Next

Mercy hit cinemas on 23 January, but it hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with its reviews. In fact, it’s clocked in as one of Pratt’s lowest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes in more than a decade. Still, for those keen on a different take on the crime genre, or just curious to see Pratt in a new light, it might be worth a look.

If you’re after more fresh releases, there’s a heap of other films coming out this year that might be up your alley.