The new sci-fi thriller Mercy stars Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, delivering a fast-paced, modern take on justice in a dystopian future. While the film is made up of familiar elements, it manages to stay engaging through strong performances and effective plot twists.

Set in a near-future world, the story follows Pratt’s character, Chris Raven, who is accused of murdering his wife. Instead of a traditional trial, he is placed in a “Mercy Court,” where defendants are given just 90 minutes to prove their innocence. There are no lawyers, no jury and no appeals, only access to every database in existence. The entire case unfolds in real time, adding tension and urgency to every decision made.

Another compelling element of Mercy is Ferguson’s performance as Maddox, the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven judge in charge of overseeing the Mercy Court. Maddox highlights the film’s exploration of AI and its limitations, especially when it comes to emotion and moral judgment. While the AI judge operates strictly on facts and data, the film raises questions about whether truth always aligns with facts alone. As emotional context begins to matter more, the story teeters between whether Maddox can truly understand justice or mercy, adding depth to the film’s themes and tension to Chris Raven’s case.

The film also uses misdirection effectively throughout its narrative. Early on, the audience is led to believe that nearly all evidence points toward Raven being guilty, creating a bleak and hopeless tone. Details that initially seem incriminating are later reinterpreted as the story unfolds, keeping viewers guessing. This shifting perspective maintains suspense and prevents the plot from becoming too predictable, even when it appears to be heading in an obvious direction.

One of the film’s strengths is how relevant it feels within today’s AI-obsessed world . The use of AI, constant FaceTime calls and digital surveillance reflects modern anxieties about technology and privacy, making the world of Mercy feel uncomfortably realistic. Despite taking place mostly in one location, the movie avoids feeling stagnant and keeps the audience invested through quick pacing and unexpected twists.

However, Mercy is not without its flaws. While the plot twists are interesting, several backstories introduced throughout the film are not fully developed. These details, such as the major murder case that propelled the induction of the Mercy system, lack explanation and make parts of the story feel rushed and slightly confusing. At times, it feels like the film is trying to juggle too many ideas at once, which weakens its overall impact.

Additionally, some aspects of the story feel familiar, as the concept of a corrupt justice system in a dystopian future has been explored many times before. Still, the solid writing and committed performances help the movie stand out enough to remain entertaining.

Mercy is a well-made and engaging thriller that succeeds in building tension and relevance, even if it doesn’t fully explore all of its ideas. With stronger backstory development, it could have been more impactful, but it remains a decent and thought-provoking watch.