Thescreescore – In a swift move that has industry observers buzzing, the high-concept sci-fi thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, has made its digital debut for American home audiences less than a month after its theatrical premiere. This rapid transition follows the film’s underwhelming performance at the global box office, where it struggled to recoup its substantial $60 million production budget.
Launched on January 23rd, Mercy garnered a mere $53 million worldwide, falling significantly short of its $60 million cost and earning a decidedly frosty reception from critics. Now, just weeks after its big-screen debut, the 100-minute feature is accessible to home viewers.
As of now, audiences can access Mercy through digital rental services such as Prime Video and Fandango, priced at $19.99 for a rental or $24.99 for outright purchase. Given its origin from Amazon MGM Studios, a future inclusion in the Prime Video streaming library is widely anticipated for subscribers.
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Helmed by Timur Bekmambetov, known for his work on 2025’s War of the Worlds, and penned by Marco van Belle, Mercy plunges Chris Pratt into a near-future dystopia. He portrays a detective facing a grave accusation: the murder of his wife. With a mere 90 minutes on the clock, he must clear his name before an advanced AI judge, embodied by Rebecca Ferguson – an entity he once championed – delivers its final verdict on his destiny.
Beyond its marquee stars, the ensemble cast features notable talents including Emmy nominee Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country), Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders), two-time Emmy nominee Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Kylie Rogers (Yellowstone), Kenneth Choi (Sons of Anarchy), Rafi Gavron, Jeff Pierre, and Tom Rezvan. The film was produced by Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, and Timur Bekmambetov.
The critical consensus for Mercy was overwhelmingly negative, reflected in its dismal 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers frequently characterized the film as a "lifeless" and "awkward" techno-thriller, lamenting its restrictive narrative that reportedly left its talented leads constrained and the pacing dragging. Gregory Nussen, in his review for thescreescore.com, awarded the film a 4 out of 10, dissecting it as a "harebrained, confounding slice of swiss cheese." Nussen further critiqued director Bekmambetov for seemingly "endorsing the very thing he purports to critique," despite acknowledging "exciting, tactile action and satisfyingly justified 3D." He ultimately dismissed the film’s sociopolitical commentary as "bland, absurd, and exceedingly silly."
In stark contrast to the critical drubbing, general audiences appear to have found more to appreciate in Mercy. Their aggregated score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at a robust 83%, with many describing it as an engaging "high-concept whodunit" offering "tense popcorn-style entertainment," particularly effective when viewed in 3D.
This divergence in reception suggests that Mercy might yet find its footing and achieve greater success within the home entertainment market, potentially outperforming its disappointing theatrical run.
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