The movie "Mercy" recently hit screens, starring Chris Pratt as a cop in a new AI-driven justice system. The central conceit of the film presents a future where a single AI judge determines guilt with no jury, and suspects have 90 minutes to prove their innocence.
Chris Pratt plays a familiar role of a man accused wrongly—in this case, the murder of his wife. The AI, voiced by Rebecca Ferguson, gives him this daring deadline. The narrative unfolds almost in real-time, keeping viewers on edge with an on-screen clock.
While the setup is intriguing, the film often falls into predictability, leaving little room for the tension such a thriller should provoke. The reliance on found footage from security cameras and personal devices also seems more a budgetary decision than an artistic one.
Despite strong performances from Pratt and Ferguson, the movie struggles to fulfill its potential. The AI judge's limitations are glaringly obvious, often raising questions about its application and purpose.
While there are flashes of brilliance and insightful commentary on technology's overreach, "Mercy" ultimately doesn't live up to the suspenseful thrill it promises, making it a forgettable entry in the roster of AI-centric narratives.