Chris Pratt Faces AI Justice in Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Mercy’

In the new sci-fi thriller ‘Mercy’, which opens in theaters on March 14, 2024, Chris Pratt stars as a detective faced with a desperate race against time. Set in a near-future Los Angeles, the film explores a world where artificial intelligence governs law enforcement and judicial decisions. With a countdown clock looming over the narrative, Pratt’s character, Chris Raven, must prove his innocence to an AI judge, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, within a strict 90-minute time limit.

The film’s premise presents a thought-provoking angle on justice and accountability. In Raven’s world, the legal system operates under a “guilty until proven innocent” philosophy, eliminating the need for lawyers and juries. Instead, the accused have access to their digital footprints—everything from security camera footage to social media accounts—to build their defense. This innovative concept, which could evoke comparisons to the classic ‘Minority Report’, unfortunately falters due to a lackluster script and direction from Timur Bekmambetov.

Raven awakens in an electric chair, disoriented and with significant gaps in his memory. He recalls a confrontation with his wife, played by Annabelle Wallis, but cannot piece together the events leading to his arrest. As a former advocate for the AI judge system, the stakes could have been heightened if the film had delved deeper into the implications of this technology. Instead, the narrative becomes bogged down in convoluted plot twists, including Raven’s struggle with alcoholism following the death of a colleague.

One of the film’s most puzzling choices is casting a live actor as the AI judge. Rather than utilizing an AI-generated character, Ferguson’s portrayal lacks the emotional depth that could have added intrigue. As a result, viewers might find themselves disengaged, akin to watching a tedious interaction with a robotic customer service representative.

Despite the film’s reliance on technology, including various screens and virtual interactions, it often feels as if it is stuck in a socially distanced era. Kali Reis, who plays another LAPD agent named Jaq, provides some grounding in the story as she investigates leads outside of the confines of the electric chair. However, her presence is mostly limited to FaceTime calls and bodycam footage, leaving the audience feeling similarly confined.

Overall, ‘Mercy’ struggles to maintain audience engagement, and while it raises questions about the future of law and order in a technologically advanced society, it does not deliver a compelling narrative. The film has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for content that includes drug use, bloody images, strong language, teenage smoking, and violence. With a running time of 101 minutes, it receives a modest rating of one and a half stars out of four from the Associated Press.

In a genre that often captivates audiences with high-stakes drama, ‘Mercy’ ultimately falls short of its ambitious premise, leaving viewers yearning for a more robust exploration of its themes.