A new sci-fi film starring Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt, titled Mercy, premiered this weekend amid widespread snowstorms across the United States, which significantly impacted theater attendance. Although Mercy claimed the number one spot at the domestic box office, its debut was marked by a disappointing performance and poor critical reception, even falling short of the box office earnings of a previous Stephen King movie flop featuring Ferguson.
Mercy Struggles at the Box Office Despite Top Ranking
Mercy, a science fiction mystery, centers on Det. Chris Raven, played by Chris Pratt, who fights to prove his innocence after being accused of murdering his wife. Ferguson appears as Judge Maddox, an AI-powered figure overseeing the trial. Presented in a semi-screenlife format, the movie was directed by Timur Bekmambetov, known for this style. Despite the novelty of its approach and star power, Mercy’s box office debut pulled in just $11 million domestically—a figure notably lower than the $14 million opening weekend of Ferguson’s 2019 film Doctor Sleep.
Doctor Sleep was an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel and a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s iconic The Shining. Expectations were high after the massive success of It, another 2019 King adaptation, but Doctor Sleep ended up underperforming with around $30 million domestically and about $70 million worldwide against a $55 million budget. Although it received favorable critical reviews and holds a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it failed to secure strong audience turnout at release.
Critical and Audience Reception Underscores Mercy’s Challenges
Mercy received a dismal 20% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus highlighting the film’s limiting and unengaging execution:
“Constricting its two stars inside an airless presentation of a clunky techno-thriller premise, Mercy is tedious enough to make you cry uncle.”
The film also scored a rough B- from opening day audiences according to CinemaScore, reinforcing the tepid reaction. With an estimated production budget of $60 million, Mercy’s financial and critical struggles place pressure on its lead actors to quickly regroup and seek new opportunities.
Upcoming Roles Offer a Chance for Both Stars to Move Forward
Despite Mercy’s weak reception, both Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson have significant projects scheduled for release soon. Pratt is set to appear in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, while Ferguson will return in Dune: Part Three and the third season of the series Silo later this year. These upcoming roles provide an opportunity for the actors to rebound from the disappointment Mercy has generated.
The film remains available in theaters, but the underwhelming start has raised questions about its staying power and potential box office longevity during a challenging theatrical season impacted by severe weather conditions across America.
