The film Mercy, starring Chris Pratt, explores a disturbing vision of the near future where artificial intelligence dominates the justice process, with suspects considered guilty until proven otherwise. Set in 2029 Los Angeles, the movie follows police detective Chris Raven, portrayed by Pratt, who awakens restrained and disoriented, facing an AI judge named Maddox. Accused of his wife’s murder, Raven has just 90 minutes to prove his innocence before an immediate execution.
Unique Filming Style Emphasizes Intensity and Isolation
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy’s production involved a theatrical approach, with Pratt and co-star Rebecca Ferguson performing separate lengthy scenes on different stages, connected only by earpieces. Pratt explained that being physically restrained in a chair helped him channel his character’s claustrophobia and desperation during filming. Meanwhile, Ferguson, who plays Maddox, the AI judge, described the challenge of expressing emotion through limited physical means, noting,
“I’ve never played a robot or AI tapping into human emotions,”
she said.
“The conversations that came with that were really fun.”
— Rebecca Ferguson, Actress
To capture the subtlety necessary for Maddox’s character, Bekmambetov provided Ferguson with a chart of emotions to follow, instructing her to smile unexpectedly despite the character’s robotic nature. This method emphasized the AI’s mimicry of human expressions beyond overt actions.
Digital Surveillance Drives the Plot’s Tense Courtroom Drama
Mercy embraces Bekmambetov’s “screenlife” technique, presenting much of the story action through multiple digital displays. Maddox utilizes the city-wide cloud platform, legally connected to citizens’ devices, enabling surveillance through social media, police cameras, doorbell recordings, and public databases. These data streams fill the futuristic courtroom walls as Maddox and Raven hunt for evidence to clear the detective’s name.
Pratt highlighted the film’s immersive nature and its reflection on today’s digital footprint. He remarked,
“They’re going to probably be thinking, ‘I’ve etched each of my actions in digital stone over the past 12 to 15 years. If I’m ever put in a position where this could be used against me, there’s a lot of stuff out there,’”
he said.
“You’re kind of on the same journey with my character. As I’m defending myself, you’re sort of defending your own actions. It’s like your life is being thrown at you. It’s a little bit jarring.”
— Chris Pratt, Actor
Mercy’s Premise Raises Questions on Privacy and Justice in the Digital Era
Opening in Singapore cinemas on January 29, Mercy challenges viewers to consider the consequences of a legal system reliant on AI surveillance and digital evidence, raising concerns about fairness and privacy. With its tense storytelling and distinctive cinematic style, it asks how much control individuals truly have when every behavior is recorded and retrievable. The film’s portrayal of technology-driven judgment casts a shadow on the future of human rights and legal standards amid expanding digital monitoring.
