In the near-future world of 2029, artificial intelligence has taken over the justice system, and one Los Angeles police officer finds himself at its mercy. This is the gripping premise of the new sci-fi thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, which delivers an ingenious and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
A Futuristic Courtroom Drama with High Stakes
Set in Los Angeles in the year 2029, Mercy presents a society where AI is solely responsible for determining criminal guilt or innocence. The film follows Detective Chris Raven, played by Chris Pratt, a decorated LAPD officer with a drinking problem who ironically helped secure the first conviction under the city's new high-tech justice system. This system, ironically named Mercy, replaces human judges with artificial intelligence.
The Robotic Judge and the Race Against Time
Rebecca Ferguson portrays Judge Maddox, an AI hologram who presides over cases with icy precision. Defendants are given exactly ninety minutes to present their case before this digital arbiter of justice. The film takes a dramatic turn when Raven wakes up hungover in the courtroom's restraint chair, facing Judge Maddox, and learns he's been accused of murdering his wife—an event he has no memory of.
With only ninety minutes to clear his name before robo-justice delivers its verdict, Raven must undertake the most crucial police work of his career. He navigates the city's vast cloud-bank archive, accessing bodycam footage, surveillance records, phone data, and contacting colleagues and family members in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth while grieving his apparent loss.
Creative Vision and Performances
Irish writer Marco van Belle delivers an entertaining and clever script that blends thriller elements with satire, while veteran Russian-Kazakh filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov directs with his signature robust approach to action sequences. Chris Pratt brings depth to his role as the flawed detective, and longtime fans will appreciate a cameo from Jay Jackson, Pratt's former Parks and Recreation co-star, who reprises his role as the sonorous TV newsreader Perd Hapley.
Exploring AI's Role in Society
The film ostensibly critiques the insidious power of artificial intelligence, though it also reflects contemporary liberal doublethink about technology—acknowledging AI's dangers while taking little action against them. Mercy presents an AI justice system that, while efficient, is prone to unsettling glitches reminiscent of Max Headroom, raising questions about reliability and humanity.
Despite its critical perspective, the film shows some leniency toward AI, with characters suggesting that "human or AI—we all make mistakes." This nuanced approach adds complexity to the narrative, though the final escalation into full-blown action mayhem might stretch credibility for some viewers.
Final Verdict and Release Details
Mercy is an ingenious and watchable sci-fi thriller that combines cheeky twists with serious questions about technology and justice. While the climax may venture into absurdity, the film remains engaging throughout, and the chemistry between Pratt's human detective and Ferguson's digital judge leaves room for potential sequels.
The film is scheduled for release on 22 January in Australia, followed by releases on 23 January in both the UK and the United States. For fans of sci-fi, thrillers, and thought-provoking cinema, Mercy offers a compelling glimpse into a future where justice is automated, and humanity must fight to prove its innocence.
