The new thriller Mercy, currently playing in cinemas across the country, explores a dystopian vision where artificial intelligence governs the justice system, presuming suspects guilty unless they prove otherwise. Set in a violent and tense Los Angeles in 2029, the film follows police detective Chris Raven, portrayed by Chris Pratt, who wakes restrained in a chair facing an AI judge, Maddox, played by Rebecca Ferguson. Accused of his wife’s murder, Raven has only 90 minutes to demonstrate his innocence or face immediate execution.
Behind the Scenes: Unique Filming Style and Actor Experiences
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy was shot in a style resembling a stage play. Pratt and Ferguson performed separate, extended scenes lasting 40 to 50 minutes, communicating via earpieces rather than sharing the same set. This method added to the claustrophobic tension, especially for Pratt, who requested to be physically strapped into the chair during takes.
“I’ve never played a robot or AI, tapping into human emotions. The conversations that came with that, it was really fun,”
said Ferguson.
“For me, being confined to a chair was something that was different. I’m a pretty physical person,”
Pratt explained.
“I found it helpful because I truly felt I could fight against it, and felt even more claustrophobic.”
Ferguson’s portrayal of Maddox required subtlety, with the AI judge mimicking human behavior through carefully controlled expressions. Bekmambetov provided her with an emotional chart to guide her performance, instructing her to show emotions unexpectedly.
“He would say, ‘I want you to smile at the oddest moment,’”
Ferguson revealed.
“There wasn’t that much for me to work with, other than behind the eyes.”
A Digital World Under Surveillance Fuels the Plot
Maddox, the AI judge, has access to the city’s entire digital cloud, to which all citizens are legally connected. Raven scrambles to use this vast network of data—including social media, surveillance footage, police bodycams, and private recordings—to clear his name. The film’s action unfolds largely on digital screens, which project evidence onto the walls of the futuristic courtroom, immersing viewers in the technological onslaught of modern surveillance.
Making Audiences Reflect on Their Personal Digital Footprints
Pratt believes Mercy’s intense and immersive style will lead viewers to scrutinize their own digital histories closely. As they follow Raven’s struggle for justice, they may confront the reality of their personal information permanently recorded online.
“They’re going to probably be thinking, ‘I’ve etched each of my actions in digital stone over the past 12-15 years.
If I’m ever put in a position where this could be used against me, there’s a lot of stuff out there,”
Pratt 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,”
he added.
“It’s like your life is being thrown at you. It’s a little bit jarring.”
– Reuters
Mercy challenges viewers to consider the consequences of living in a world where AI not only interprets justice but can hold overwhelming power over individuals’ fates by decoding their digital footprints. As the film’s tense narrative unfolds, it raises urgent questions about privacy, technology, and fairness in the near future.
