Imagine a court where a robot decides if you live or die in just ninety minutes. That is the terrifying reality Chris Pratt faces in his latest sci-fi thriller Mercy. This film grips you tight despite a plot that often swerves into pure chaos.
It serves as a loud warning about our digital future. While the movie is not perfect, it forces us to look at how much power we give to machines.
A Deadly Race Against Time
The story drops us into a near future that feels uncomfortably close to our own. Chris Pratt plays Chris Raven, a hardened detective with a troubled past. His life falls apart when authorities accuse him of murdering his wife.
The twist here is the justice system itself.
Raven does not face a jury of his peers. instead, he faces “Mercy,” an advanced Artificial Intelligence judge. This digital magistrate gives the accused a strict ninety-minute window to prove their innocence.
If they fail, the chair they sit in executes them on the spot.
The stakes could not be higher. Raven must use every second to clear his name while trapped in a high-tech interrogation chair. The film moves at a breakneck pace from the very first scene.
The movie uses this setup to explore how we live today. We are constantly on camera.
Raven has to dig through a mountain of digital evidence to save his life. He accesses public surveillance feeds, private videos, and data files. It shows us that in this world, nothing is private anymore.
Chris Pratt sci-fi thriller movie AI judge courtroom scene
When Technology Takes Control
The standout performance comes from Rebecca Ferguson. She plays the AI judge with a chilling calmness that will make your skin crawl. She is not a person, yet she holds the power of life and death.
Her character represents the ultimate question of the film. Can we trust a machine to understand the nuance of human actions?
The film suggests that relying solely on data is a dangerous game.
Director Timur Bekmambetov uses his signature visual style to overwhelm the viewer. He floods the screen with windows, video calls, and holograms. It feels like you are trapped inside a computer alongside the main character.
Here is what the movie asks us to consider:
- Privacy: How much freedom do we lose when everything is recorded?
- Trust: Can an algorithm truly understand context and emotion?
- Safety: Is it worth giving up control for a safer society?
These themes hit hard because they mirror headlines we see in real life every day. We already use AI for many tasks. This movie just takes it to the extreme conclusion.
Star Power Saves the Day
Let’s be honest about one thing. This movie works largely because Chris Pratt is in it.
The script has moments that feel like a daytime soap opera. The dialogue can get cheesy and the situations are often unbelievable. Yet, Pratt commits fully to the role.
He brings a raw intensity that keeps you watching. You can feel his desperation as the clock ticks down. He transforms from a confident cop to a terrified man fighting for his life.
Pratt proves he can elevate even the silliest material into something watchable.
He is not just an action hero here. He plays a flawed man with addiction issues and a bad temper. This makes the case against him look very strong to the AI judge.
The audience has to guess the truth right along with the computer. Did he do it? Or is he being framed?
The film plays with our expectations constantly. It forces us to question the evidence right in front of our eyes. This interactive feeling is the movie’s biggest strength.
Wild Twists Hurt the Story
While the setup is great, the execution gets messy. The final act of the movie abandons logic entirely.
As Raven fights to prove his innocence, the plot twists become increasingly absurd. The movie stops trying to be a smart sci-fi thriller and turns into a loud action flick. It feels like two different movies smashed together.
Some viewers will find the ending laughable. It pushes the boundaries of believability way too far.
However, the movie is never boring. Even when it is being ridiculous, it is entertaining. You want to see how this crazy situation resolves.
The director knows how to keep the energy high. There is no downtime in the film. It grabs you and drags you to the finish line whether you are ready or not.
You might roll your eyes, but you will not turn it off.
Mercy fits into a specific category of film. It is a “popcorn thriller” with a tech coating. It does not have the depth of a masterpiece like Terminator 2, but it has enough ideas to spark a conversation.
It is a messy, loud, and manipulative ride. But it is also a ride worth taking if you like high-concept sci-fi.
In a world where deep fakes and AI tools are growing, Mercy hits a nerve. It reminds us that technology is only as good as the people who program it. And sometimes, it can be dead wrong.
