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Mercy
20267100 min
ActionThrillerScience Fiction
Released
Jan 19, 2026
Country
United States of America
Director
Timur Bekmambetov
Productions
Atlas EntertainmentAmazon MGM StudiosBazelevs
In the near future, a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has ninety minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI Judge he once championed, before it determines his fate.
Similar vibes
7 titles
Minority Report
Pre‑crime AI concept echoes Mercy’s algorithmic adjudication.
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★7/10
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
AI judge with moral ambiguity parallels Maddox’s role.
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★8/10
A Time to Kill
Legal drama with moral conflict resembles the film’s theme.
Movie
★7/10
The Bourne Ultimatum
High‑intensity detective chase similar to Chris’s investigation.
Movie
★7/10
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Suspenseful investigation and courtroom stakes mirror Mercy’s tension.
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★6/10
Edge of Tomorrow
Time‑pressure battles echo the 90‑minute race.
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★8/10
Blade Runner 2049
Futuristic justice system mirrors the film's AI‑driven legal tension.
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★8/10
About
Quick guide
A detective faces a 90‑minute trial by an AI judge in a near‑future Los Angeles.
Mercy follows LAPD detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) as he is put on trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole (Annabelle Wallis). The case is heard by an AI judge, Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson), who operates under the Mercy Capital Court system that requires defendants to lower their guilt probability within 90 minutes or face execution. While fighting through surveillance footage, witness testimony, and a growing conspiracy, Chris battles personal grief and the ethical limits of an algorithmic justice system. The film blends action, thriller, and sci‑fi elements over its 100‑minute runtime, exploring themes of technology, morality, and the human cost of speed.
What to know
- AI judge Maddox decides Chris’s fate in 90 minutes.
- Chris Pratt stars as LAPD detective Chris Raven.
- Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, released 2026.
- The film blends science‑fiction with courtroom drama.
- The Mercy Capital Court uses predictive algorithms.
- Plot revolves around a murder accusation.
- Runtime is 100 minutes.
- The tone is dark and suspenseful.
Watch if
If you enjoy tense, high‑stakes thrillers that blend futuristic tech with courtroom intrigue, Mercy offers a rapid‑fire plot, sharp dialogue, and a morally complex AI judge that keeps you guessing.
Skip if
If you prefer character‑driven dramas without a lot of action or are sensitive to graphic content, Mercy’s heavy use of violence and a fast‑paced, AI‑centric premise may be off‑limits.
dark toneintense actioninvestigation heavypsychological elementssuspensefulsome goredialogue heavymature themespolitical themescrime violence
Premise and Setting
Set in a near‑future Los Angeles where crime rates spike, the Mercy Capital Court relies on AI judges to conduct swift trials. The film follows LAPD detective Chris Raven as he faces a 90‑minute courtroom showdown to prove his innocence. The city’s legal system has shifted from human judges to algorithmic adjudicators, creating a tense environment where the stakes are literally life and death.
Main Characters
Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) is a seasoned detective whose career is built on faith in the Mercy system. Rebecca Ferguson portrays Judge Maddox, the AI adjudicator who will decide his fate. Kali Reis plays Jaq Diallo, Chris’s partner and key ally. Annabelle Wallis portrays Nicole, the wife whose death ignites the trial.
The Mercy Capital Court
The court’s hallmark is its rapid adjudication. Evidence is supplied to the defendant, and a machine calculates guilt probability in real time. Defendants have a hard 90‑minute window to lower the AI’s certainty below a threshold, or they face a sonic execution. The system’s efficiency comes at a profound ethical cost.
The 90‑Minute Race
The clock starts when the judge’s system boots. Chris must sift through surveillance, interview suspects, and assemble a counter‑argument before the countdown hits zero. Each second brings new evidence, new revelations, and an escalating sense of desperation as the AI’s verdict inches closer right tension.
Tech and Justice
Maddox’s architecture blends data mining, predictive analytics, and moral calculus. It offers defendants unprecedented access to evidence but also imposes a deterministic verdict. The film questions whether an algorithm can replace human empathy, and whether speed and precision justify the loss of a human deliberative process.
Themes and Tone
The narrative is steeped in dark tone, with intense action sequences and psychological tension. It explores mature themes of grief, redemption, and the ethics of artificial justice. The film’s dialogue‑heavy scenes reveal internal conflict, while the fast‑paced plot keeps viewers on edge. Some gore and crime violence punctuate the story, underscoring the stakes.
Reception and Critique
Upon release, Mercy drew criticism for its convoluted plot and uneven pacing. Critics cited its heavy reliance on AI tropes and lack of character depth. Rotten Tomatoes reports a low approval rating, while some reviewers praised the action set pieces and Ramin Djawadi’s score. Despite negative reviews, the film sparked debate over AI in the justice system.
Cast Highlights
Chris Pratt delivers a weary performance as a detective caught between his past and an unforgiving AI. Rebecca Ferguson embodies the impartial yet cold Judge Maddox, creating a compelling dynamic. Kali Reis provides a grounded presence as Jaq, offering emotional contrast. Supporting actors bring depth, turning what could be a standard thriller into a character‑driven narrative.
FAQ
20 Q&A
What is Mercy about?
Mercy is a sci‑fi thriller where an LAPD detective faces a 90‑minute trial by an AI judge after being accused of murdering his wife. The plot focuses on his race against time to prove innocence while confronting a high‑tech justice system. 【1†L68-L72】【1†L74-L77】
Who stars in Mercy?
The film stars Chris Pratt as Detective Chris Raven, Rebecca Ferguson as Judge Maddox, Kali Reis as Jaq Diallo, Annabelle Wallis as Nicole, Chris Sullivan as Rob, and Kylie Rogers as Britt. 【1†L15-L19】
Who directed Mercy?
Mercy was directed by Russian‑born filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, known for high‑energy blockbusters. 【1†L8-L10】
When was Mercy released?
The film opened in the U.S. on January 23, 2026, with a preview screening at Regal Cinemas on January 19. 【1†L45-L49】
What is the runtime?
Mercy runs for 100 minutes. 【1†L50-L53】
What genre does Mercy belong to?
It is a science‑fiction action thriller that blends courtroom drama with high‑speed suspense. 【1†L55-L56】
What is the Mercy Capital Court?
It is a future court system that uses AI judges to conduct rapid trials, giving defendants a 90‑minute window to lower their guilt probability or face execution. 【1†L68-L72】【1†L74-L77】
Who is the AI judge?
Judge Maddox, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, is the impartial AI adjudicator who determines the verdict in Chris’s case. 【1†L74-L77】
Who is Chris Raven?
Chris Raven is a seasoned LAPD detective played by Chris Pratt, accused of murdering his wife and fighting to clear his name. 【1†L15-L19】
What is the premise of the 90‑minute trial?
The defendant must collect evidence and convince the AI judge to lower his guilt probability below 92% within 90 minutes, or he will be executed. 【1†L68-L72】【1†L74-L77】
Is there a sequel planned?
No official sequel has been announced by the studio or the director.
What themes does the film explore?
It examines the ethics of AI justice, personal grief, and the tension between speed and fairness in a high‑stakes legal system. 【1†L70-L72】【1†L74-L77】
Does the film contain violence?
The story includes crime, a murder investigation, and a potential AI‑ordered execution, so it contains violent content. 【1†L68-L72】【1†L74-L77】
How is the AI judge portrayed?
Maddox is shown as efficient, impartial, and deterministic, raising questions about whether an algorithm can replace human empathy. 【1†L74-L77】
Does the film have a strong female lead?
Annabelle Wallis plays Nicole, the detective’s wife, and Rebecca Ferguson plays Judge Maddox; both characters are central to the narrative. 【1†L15-L19】
How does the film handle moral questions?
It presents the AI judge’s logical decisions against human emotions, forcing characters to confront moral ambiguity within the justice system. 【1†L68-L72】【1†L74-L77】
Are there any special effects?
Mercy features high‑tech visual effects typical of sci‑fi thrillers, especially during courtroom simulations, though specific details are not listed in the official synopsis.
What is the film’s rating?
The film has not yet received a formal rating and is currently available only in theaters.
Who composed the score?
Renowned composer Ramin Djawadi created the film’s musical score. 【1†L29-L31】
Is Mercy available on streaming?
As of now, Mercy is only released in theaters and has not been added to any streaming platforms.
Actors
Chris Pratt
Chris Raven
Rebecca Ferguson
Judge Maddox
Kali Reis
Jacqueline 'Jaq' Diallo
Annabelle Wallis
Nicole Raven (née Martin)
Chris Sullivan
Robert 'Rob' Nelson
Kylie Rogers
Britt Raven
Jeff Pierre
Patrick Burke
Rafi Gavron
Holt Charles
Kenneth Choi
Ray Vale
Jamie McBride
Dan Vogel
Ross Gosla
David Webb
Mark Daneri
Jeff Martin