REVIEW: “Mercy” (2026)

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Early reviews for Timur Bekmambetov’s new film, “Mercy,” have been largely negative. This is particularly surprising given the film stars Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, both well-known and talented actors who usually elevate any project they’re a part of.

Despite the negative buzz, “Mercy” isn’t a terrible movie. It’s a simple, enjoyable sci-fi thriller that doesn’t ask a lot of the viewer. The film knows it’s a bit over-the-top, but it plays it just right – taking itself seriously enough to keep us engaged. Ultimately, it’s a movie that’s both fun and delightfully silly.

However, “Mercy” isn’t a particularly good or even noteworthy film. While it tries to examine the positive and negative sides of technology, it does so in a shallow way. The biggest problem is the script, which rushes through a plot full of unlikely coincidences and forced events. A twist near the end feels out of place and just makes the movie seem more absurd.

The movie begins in 2029 with detective Chris Raven (Pratt) finding himself tied to a chair, alone with Judge Maddox (Ferguson)—an AI that oversees the Mercy Court program. The first part of the film quickly explains what Mercy Court is and how Raven became involved. Essentially, Mercy Court is a new system for judging crimes fast and effectively. It was developed to reduce crime in Los Angeles, and Raven was originally a strong supporter of the idea.

Here’s the process: Individuals are considered guilty from the start, based on collected evidence, and must defend themselves before an AI judge. They have 90 minutes to convince the AI their likelihood of guilt is below a 92% threshold. They can access a huge collection of digital information – including internet history, social media, camera footage, and phone records – to prove their innocence. If they fail to lower their guilt probability within the time limit, they face immediate execution.

Detective Raven is at the police station because he’s been accused of murdering his wife, Nicole, that very morning. The evidence strongly suggests he’s guilty – with a 97.5% probability. However, Raven has gaps in his memory and insists he didn’t commit the crime. He tries to convince Judge Maddox of his innocence, with support from his partner Jaq, friend Rob, and daughter Britt. As they investigate, the case takes a surprising turn.

The movie uses a mix of screen recordings (like seeing what’s on a character’s computer) and regular scenes. After a quick introduction, the director slows down the pace a little to reveal the mystery, but it still feels rushed. The main character, Chris, quickly becomes a skilled online investigator, spotting patterns and making connections that don’t always feel logical. While the film manages to keep you engaged, the story feels incomplete, both in how it sets things up and how it ultimately resolves.

The movie really picks up the pace in its last section, with a wild plot twist leading to an over-the-top action scene. I found the crazy ending surprisingly enjoyable, even though it was a bit ridiculous and lacked depth. That pretty much sums up the entire movie, “Mercy.” It had a good foundation, hinting at something much better, and it’s not entirely without entertainment value. However, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, leaving you wondering what could have been.

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2026-01-24 18:57