⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Mercy, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, is one of those movies that ends up being a solid time — but mostly because my expectations were pretty low going in.
The premise is undeniably cool. In a near-future world, AI systems have been integrated into the justice system, acting as judge, jury, and executioner. When Chris Pratt’s character finds himself caught in that machine, the film becomes a race against time as he tries to outmaneuver a system that claims to be perfectly logical. On paper, that’s terrifying. The idea of artificial intelligence deciding guilt and punishment without human empathy is horror fuel. And honestly? I think this concept would have been even stronger as a full-on sci-fi horror instead of an action thriller.
The first half of the movie is heavy on exposition. There’s a lot of explaining how the AI works, what the rules are, how the system came to be — and while some of that is necessary, it slows the momentum. You can feel the film trying to set up its world rather than fully immersing you in it. It’s interesting, but not gripping.
The second half shifts gears into a more traditional action structure. It becomes more straightforward — chase sequences, confrontations, escalating stakes. It’s basic, but it’s fun. Bekmambetov knows how to stage slick action and kinetic sequences, and when the movie finally leans into that, it becomes much more entertaining.
Chris Pratt is really good here. He balances vulnerability and defiance well, making you believe he’s both overwhelmed by the system and determined to fight back. Rebecca Ferguson, playing the AI presence, isn’t bad at all — but the performance is intentionally strange. It’s calm, controlled, slightly off. That’s clearly the point, but it does create a distancing effect. It’s unsettling in concept more than emotionally impactful.
Visually, the film is polished. But I’ll admit, I struggle with how AI and CGI are being integrated more and more into visual media. There are moments where I genuinely couldn’t tell what was digital manipulation versus standard effects work. For what it’s worth, even when noticeable, it didn’t look bad — it just adds to that larger unease about where filmmaking is heading.
Ultimately, Mercy is a good time. Not groundbreaking. Not emotionally devastating. But entertaining. I think my enjoyment came partly from going in with modest expectations and being pleasantly surprised.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Mercy has a fantastic concept that might have hit harder in a darker tone, but as an action thriller, it’s solid and watchable. It’s not maximizing its terrifying premise, but it still delivers enough energy and performance strength to make it worthwhile.
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