Mercy

Synopsis: In the near future, an advanced AI judge tells a captive detective that he's on trial for the murder of his wife. If he fails to prove his innocence within 90 minutes, he'll be executed on the spot. 

Movie Review: 

"Mercy" is directed by Timur Bekmambetov and is an original sci-fi flick that features some intriguing concepts and memorable moments, highlighted by Chris Pratt's solid performance. However, the storyline is dull and predictable, reminiscent of other films I've seen, making it quite forgettable. Chris Pratt portrays Chris Raven, a detective accused of his wife's murder, who must prove his innocence in 90 minutes or face death. Despite being a struggling alcoholic and a neglectful father, he delivers a compelling and emotional performance, showcasing the charm and charisma that made him famous. Most of the time, he's glued to a screen trying to figure out who killed his wife; while it starts off interesting, it becomes repetitive and tedious as the movie progresses. Rebecca Ferguson plays Judge Maddox, the A.I. judge, and while she gives a decent performance, it lacks emotion. She seems miscast and underutilized in this role. The supporting cast, including Annabelle Wallis, Kylie Rogers, Chris Sullivan, and Jeff Pierre, also deliver fine performances, but they mostly just stare at screens, which feels unsatisfying. The twist in the third act is so predictable that when the ending shifts into a generic action movie, it becomes boring and dull. "Mercy" had potential with its setup, but ultimately, it has little to offer beyond being a standard sci-fi action film. I'm giving it a 2.5/5 stars.

Director: Timur Bekmambetov 

Cast: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, Rafi Gavron, Kenneth Choi and Mark Daneri 

Runtime: 100 Minutes