Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming sci-fi thriller Mercy is already sparking conversation ahead of its release on January 23, 2026. Based on available information, the film takes place in a near-future world where justice has gone digital and the line between man and machine has completely blurred.
At the center of the story is Chris Pratt, who plays a detective accused of murdering his wife. With only 90 minutes to prove his innocence, his fate lies in the hands of the A.I. Judge, voiced and portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, a machine he once helped design and defend. As the clock ticks, the film explores whether artificial intelligence can truly understand morality, emotion, or mercy.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, known for his visually inventive storytelling (Wanted, Profile), Mercy promises to blend high-tension courtroom drama with futuristic world-building. The film’s tone, based on early descriptions, is expected to be a mix of psychological suspense and philosophical intrigue, asking whether technology meant to serve justice could one day redefine it entirely.
The supporting cast includes Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, and Kylie Rogers, rounding out what looks to be a deeply emotional and cerebral story. The film carries a PG-13 rating for violence, bloody images, strong language, and brief drug content, suggesting that it balances action and ethical tension rather than relying solely on spectacle.
Produced by Charles Roven, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov, and Majd Nassif, Mercy is shaping up to be a modern morality play dressed as a futuristic thriller. The idea of an A.I. judge controlling a man’s fate feels eerily relevant, especially as conversations around artificial intelligence and justice systems grow in the real world.
If the film delivers on its premise, Mercy might become one of the defining science-fiction dramas of the decade, a sleek, thought-provoking exploration of guilt, truth, and the cost of giving machines too much power.
This article is based on publicly available information and early production details released by Amazon MGM Studios.
