The official trailer for the sci-fi thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, has been released ahead of its January 23, 2026 premiere. Featuring a futuristic story centered on artificial intelligence, the Chris Pratt Mercy Trailer introduces Detective Chris Raven, who must fight against time and an AI judge to prove his innocence in a murder case.
A High-Stakes Battle Against an AI Judge
In Mercy, Chris Pratt portrays Detective Chris Raven, who stands accused of killing his wife. The trailer shows Raven being tried by an artificial intelligence judge named Maddox, played by Rebecca Ferguson. Maddox acts as judge, jury, and executioner, giving Raven 90 minutes to meet a required threshold of innocence or face the death penalty. Using various digital tools and surveillance methods, Raven races to expose the true culprit while confronting the ambiguities of a morally complex judicial system influenced by technology.
Despite being restrained and closely monitored in the trailer, the film uses inventive storytelling devices such as camera feeds and archival footage of Pratt’s character to maintain tension and engagement. Rebecca Ferguson delivers a chilling performance as Maddox, whose emotionless demeanor shifts slightly as signs of corruption and hesitation emerge toward the trailer’s end, echoing her haunting role in Dune: Part Two.
Exploring Timely Themes Through Real-Time Storytelling
Director Timur Bekmambetov, speaking at a New York Comic Con panel, explained that Mercy’s narrative unfolds in real time to highlight the urgent relevance of AI in today’s world.
“we live in a world today where AI is knocking on the door, and we don’t have time to understand what happened. AI could be our enemy, our friend or our child. This ticking clock is metaphorical of the time we live in now.”
– Timur Bekmambetov, Director
Chris Pratt added that the film’s use of long, continuous takes lasting up to 60 minutes created a natural sense of claustrophobia during shooting, which enhanced the authenticity of the character’s confined experience under scrutiny.
The Growing Relevance of Mercy’s AI-Centric Narrative
Oscar-winning producer Charles Roven, known for his work on Oppenheimer, also spoke at the panel about how rapidly AI has become a significant topic since they received the script from writer Marco van Belle.
“We got a pitch from a writer, Marco [van Belle], who wrote the script. When we first got the script, people were talking about AI, and it wasn’t happening yet. When we started talking about the movie, all of a sudden companies were dealing with AI, and the future wasn’t definitely not far away. The fact that the movie takes place in 2029, I think every day, every week, every month that goes by, there’s something more that makes our movie true.”
– Charles Roven, Producer
This rapid advancement in AI technology underscores the film’s premise, situating Mercy in a near future where society must grapple with both the potential and dangers of autonomous systems in judicial and everyday contexts.
Notable Cast and Anticipation for Mercy
Alongside Chris Pratt as Detective Chris Raven and Rebecca Ferguson as Maddox, the cast includes Annabelle Wallis in the role of a Tattooed Sleazebag, and Kali Reis as Molly. Their performances contribute to the layered and intense narrative that Mercy promises.
With its blend of suspenseful action and provocative ethical questions about AI’s role in law enforcement and justice, Mercy is shaping up to be a standout thriller when it hits theaters early next year. The Chris Pratt Mercy Trailer sets the tone for a gripping story that challenges viewers to consider the implications of technology entwined with human judgment.
As the release date approaches, audiences will be eager to see how Chris Raven navigates this high-pressure scenario and what the film reveals about our evolving relationship with artificial intelligence.
