Mercy (2026) is a sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov, starring Chris Pratt as an LAPD detective accused of murdering his wife, who has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge played by Rebecca Ferguson.
So what’s the verdict? Mercy is a tense, real-time thriller built on a genuinely clever premise — algorithmic justice deciding a man’s fate in a single sitting — but critics were largely unimpressed while audiences responded far more warmly, making it one of 2026’s biggest critic/audience score gaps.
Quick Facts
| Director | Timur Bekmambetov |
| Writer | Marco van Belle |
| Starring | Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers |
| Genre | Sci-fi thriller |
| Runtime | 99 minutes |
| Release date | January 23, 2026 (US) |
| Budget / box office | $60 million budget; $54.6 million worldwide |
Ratings at a Glance
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 25% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | ~82% |
| Metacritic | 34/100 |
| TMDB user rating | 7.1/10 |
That critic/audience split is one of the widest of any Chris Pratt film — critics were largely cold on it, while general viewers rated it considerably higher once it landed on streaming.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Chris Raven (Pratt), an LAPD officer, stands accused of murdering his wife. Rather than facing a conventional court, he’s placed in front of Judge Maddox (Ferguson), an advanced AI judge operating as part of an experimental program called Mercy. Raven has 90 minutes, in real time, to present his case and prove his innocence before the AI renders its verdict — a ticking-clock structure that gives the film its tension.
Direction and Style
Bekmambetov, known for pioneering the “screenlife” format in projects like Unfriended and Searching, applies a similar real-time, tech-driven visual language here: security footage, interface overlays, and a literal on-screen timer counting down Raven’s remaining minutes. Reviewers have called it an effectively taut approach for the first two acts, even where the back half loses some of that discipline.
Performances
Chris Pratt spends most of the runtime physically confined, and critics have singled out his performance for carrying real weight through reactions and dialogue delivery alone rather than physical action. Rebecca Ferguson’s AI judge has drawn comparisons to Karl Urban’s Judge Dredd — a colder, more procedural read on an “AI justice” archetype — and is widely considered the film’s strongest asset.
Themes
Mercy leans into questions of algorithmic justice: whether an AI can (or should) weigh mercy against punishment, and what’s lost when a human story is reduced to a program’s verdict. It’s a timely premise given ongoing real-world debates about AI in decision-making, though several critics felt the film raises these questions without meaningfully following through on them.
Critical Reception
Reviews have been notably split. Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus describes the film as visually confining its two leads inside a clunky, tiresome premise, and several individual reviews were similarly unsparing. Audience reaction has trended much more favorably, with many viewers citing the ticking-clock premise and the Pratt/Ferguson pairing as reasons the film works better than its harshest reviews suggest. The most consistent criticism across both camps is that the film’s fascinating premise isn’t matched by its follow-through — plot conveniences and thin logic undercut the ethical dilemma it sets up.
Where to Watch Mercy (2026)
Despite its rough box office run, Mercy found a second life on streaming. It’s available to stream on Prime Video, with additional availability on fuboTV and MGM+. It can also be rented or purchased digitally through Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Plex. A 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release followed on April 7, 2026, for anyone who prefers a physical copy. If you’re tempted by unofficial free streams instead, read our Vipstand guide first to understand the legal and security risks.
Strengths
- A genuinely original premise for a courtroom-thriller hybrid
- Strong lead performances, especially Ferguson’s AI judge
- Tight, ticking-clock pacing that holds tension through most of its runtime
Weaknesses
- Plot holes and contrivances that some critics felt broke the film’s internal logic
- An ethical premise that’s set up more effectively than it’s resolved
- A shift in tone and pacing in the back half that loses some critics entirely
Who Should Watch This
If you enjoy tense, tech-driven thrillers with a ticking clock and don’t mind a plot that leans on convenience over airtight logic, Mercy delivers a solidly entertaining watch carried by its two leads — which likely explains why it performed so much better with streaming audiences than with critics. If you’re looking for a film that fully interrogates its AI-justice premise with philosophical rigor, you may come away wanting more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the movie Mercy about?
It follows an LAPD detective (Chris Pratt) accused of murdering his wife, who has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson) as part of an experimental justice program.
Who directed Mercy (2026)?
Timur Bekmambetov, known for the “screenlife” format used in films like Unfriended and Searching.
What is Mercy’s Rotten Tomatoes score?
Mercy holds a 25% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, but a much higher audience score of around 82%, reflecting a large gap between critical and popular reception.
Where can I watch Mercy (2026)?
Mercy is streaming on Prime Video, fuboTV, and MGM+, and is available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Plex.
Is Mercy (2026) worth watching?
Reviews are mixed — critics are split between calling it derivative and calling it a clever, tense thriller, but the Pratt/Ferguson performances are consistently praised, and audiences have rated it noticeably higher than critics did.
Is Mercy based on a true story?
No. It’s an original science-fiction premise about an AI-run justice system, not based on real events.
You may also read: Movies Like John Wick for more action-thriller recommendations, or browse more entertainment coverage in our Life Style section.
