Why Chris Pratt Calls AI Thriller ‘Mercy’ a Departure

Mercy Trailer Reveals Chris Pratt’s AI Justice System Nightmare.Chris Pratt stars in a new sci-fi thriller. The film is titled Mercy. It comes from Amazon MGM Studios.The official trailer debuted at New York Comic Con. Director Timur Bekmambetov and producer Charles Roven were present. The movie hits theaters on January 23, 2026.

A High-Stakes Trial With a Digital Judge

The story is set in the near future of 2029. Pratt plays an LAPD detective named Chris. He awakens strapped to an execution chair.He is accused of murdering his wife. His judge is an advanced A.I. system known as Judge Maddox. Rebecca Ferguson provides the voice for the AI.The character has just 90 minutes to prove his innocence. This all happens in real time. According to Reuters, the film explores the ethics of artificial intelligence in law enforcement.

Blending Practical Effects and Virtual Production

The filmmakers used innovative techniques. They combined location shooting with virtual production stages. This created a unique visual style.Pratt described the challenging filming process. He acted opposite co-star Kali Reis as a hologram. Some single takes lasted over an hour.Producer Charles Roven shared a memorable incident. A stunt involving a cop car crashing into a building nearly went wrong. The vehicle almost hit the film crew on the volume stage.Director Bekmambetov even used robodogs as camera operators. This was a first for a major film production. The technology allowed for dynamic crowd shots.

I-695 Beltway Project’s $184M Phase Begins, Bringing Lane Shifts

The film Mercy presents a chilling vision of a tech-driven legal system. Its January 2026 release is perfectly timed as real-world AI debates intensify.

Info at your fingertips

What is the plot of the movie Mercy?

The plot follows a detective in 2029. He is strapped to an execution chair and accused of murder. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge.

Who stars in the Mercy movie with Chris Pratt?

Chris Pratt is joined by Kali Reis, who plays his police partner. Rebecca Ferguson provides the voice and performance for the AI judge, Judge Maddox.

When will Mercy be released in theaters?

The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on January 23, 2026. It will also be available in IMAX formats for an immersive experience.

How was the movie Mercy filmed?

The production used a mix of real locations and virtual production stages. Long, continuous takes were used to mimic the real-time narrative of the story.

Why is the movie called Mercy?

The title refers to a new justice program in the film’s world. This “Mercy” program uses AI to quickly adjudicate capital crimes with extreme efficiency.