Name: Mercy
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Action, Crime
Released: 2026-01-23
Rating: 7.0
Cast: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Chris Sullivan, Annabelle Wallis, Timur Bekmambetov

In a near future, a detective is put on trial for the alleged murder of his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence before an advanced AI judge one he once created delivers the verdict.

Mercy

Times of India

Set in a not-so-distant future, Mercy imagines an American state of California overwhelmed by rising crime and lawlessness. With the justice system buckling under pressure, city administrators and law-enforcement authorities introduce a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence–driven judicial process designed to deliver swift and uncompromising justice.
At the heart of this system is a single-bench courtroom overseen entirely by an AI judge — Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson). In a tightly monitored 90-minute trial, evidence, surveillance footage, behavioural patterns and data analytics are presented against the accused. If guilt is established, the sentence is immediate and irreversible: death by execution. In this chilling setup, AI becomes judge, jury and executioner.
Ironically, fate turns cruel when a decorated police officer Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) — once the strongest advocate of this very system is himself placed in the dock. Accused of killing his wife in what appears to be a crime of passion, his case initially looks like an open-and-shut conviction. Bound to a chair and racing against the clock, he must dismantle the logic of the machine he once trusted. But is the truth really enough when algorithms have already made up their mind?
Director Timur Bekmambetov, along with writer Marco van Belle, crafts a dystopian narrative that feels unsettlingly relevant. While the premise may sound futuristic, the film mirrors a reality already creeping into our daily lives — one where artificial intelligence increasingly influences decision-making, surveillance, and moral judgment.
The screenplay wastes no time easing the audience in. From the opening moments, the film plunges straight into tension, maintaining a relentless pace throughout. The visual grammar relies heavily on layered graphics, flashing data, recorded footage and rapid-fire transitions. It creates a deliberately overwhelming experience, placing viewers in the same psychological pressure chamber as the protagonist. A constantly ticking countdown reinforces the sense that time itself is an antagonist.
Chris Pratt delivers a controlled and convincing performance, capturing the desperation, anger and helplessness of a man watching his life unravel in real time. His portrayal of a once-respected officer grappling with guilt, grief and fear anchors the film emotionally. Rebecca Ferguson, meanwhile, lends surprising weight to Judge Maddox — a role that could easily have slipped into caricature. Playing an entity that must appear emotionless yet authoritative is a tricky balance, and Ferguson manages to give the AI presence without resorting to mechanical exaggeration.
The film does stretch plausibility in parts, especially in how conveniently certain revelations unfold. However, given the speed at which AI has integrated itself into modern society, the scenario never feels entirely implausible. There is a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps the narrative engaging even when the story veers toward predictability or simplifies complex moral questions.
The background score (by Ramin Djawadi) and slick edit (by Austin Keeling and Lam T. Nguyen) complements the urgency of the proceedings, while the aggressive visual design ensures the momentum rarely dips. Though the film occasionally chooses accessibility over depth, it remains effective in sustaining suspense and audience engagement.
Overall, Mercy may be a somewhat campy sci-fi thriller built on a straightforward idea of unchecked AI dominance, but it executes that idea with enough urgency and imagination. More importantly, it succeeds in provoking thought, offering a compelling commentary on the dangers of surrendering human judgment entirely to machines.

MERCY - Official Hindi Trailer | Exclusively In Cinemas 23 January 2026

MERCY - Official Trailer 2 | Exclusively In Cinemas 23 January 2026, in English and Hindi

Chris Pratt is an American actor who rose to fame with his television roles like Bright Abbott in Everwood and Andy Dwyer in the sitcom Parks and Recreation. After appearing in short films, Pratt made his Hollywood debut with The Extreme Team and continued to star in several comedy and fantasy-drama movies. His portrayal of the Star Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe earned him worldwide popularity.

Chris Pratt

Rebecca Ferguson is a Swedish actress who grew to prominence with her portrayal of an  upper-class girl Anna Gripenhielm in the soap-opera Nya tider. Her first breakthrough role in a  film was opposite Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation for which she also won an award. Her other popular films include Despite the Falling Snow and The Girl on the Train. Prior to her acting career, Ferguson worked as a model and was also a dancer, enjoying expertise in several dance forms like jazz, tango and ballet.

Rebecca Ferguson

Chris Sullivan

Annabelle Wallis is an English actress who has appeared in thrillers like True True Lie, Body of Lies, Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, The Mummy and Mine. She has also appeared on TV shows like The Tudors, Pan Am, Peaky Blinders and The Musketeers.

Mercy

Mercy(2026)

Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Videos

Posters & wallpapers