Chris Pratt’s AI thriller Mercy, which struggled critically and financially, is set to move quickly from theaters to digital release. After opening on January 23, 2026, the film will be available on various digital platforms by February 17, just 25 days later, as reported by Where to Stream.
Critical Reception and Box Office Performance
Mercy debuted to largely negative reviews, with critics describing the film as “chaotically directed” and “utterly disposable.” The movie represents one of the lowest-rated performances for Pratt on Rotten Tomatoes, initially earning an 18% approval rating. However, this score has since inched up to 24%, reflecting a slight reassessment by reviewers. Despite the star power of Pratt and co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who portrays an AI judge, the film failed to resonate with audiences or critics alike.
Box office numbers reinforced this critical reception. Earning $52.7 million worldwide against a hefty $60 million budget, Mercy did not recoup its production costs during its theatrical run. This financial result signals a disappointing outcome considering the expectations attached to a high-concept science fiction thriller with recognizable leads. Fans and industry watchers now hope that Pratt’s upcoming 2026 project, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, will perform more successfully.
Plot and Production Details
Set in a dystopian future, Mercy follows a detective, played by Chris Pratt, who is wrongfully accused of murdering his wife. To prove his innocence, he faces trial before an AI judge, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, with the entire case unfolding within a 90-minute timeframe marked by an on-screen countdown. The thriller’s narrative is tightly confined to this time window, emphasizing the urgent, high-stakes nature of the plot.
The film is directed by Timur Bekmambetov and penned by writer Marco van Belle. Bekmambetov’s direction has been criticized, contributing to the perception that the film’s chaotic style undermines its tense story. Interestingly, Pratt reportedly wished for an actual AI bot to play his co-star role instead of Ferguson, signaling the film’s engagement with real-world artificial intelligence themes on and off screen.
Availability and Future Streaming Plans
Following its brief theatrical window, Mercy is scheduled for release on digital platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, and YouTube starting February 17, 2026. Currently, the film is available for pre-order on Prime Video, though the exact date for its video-on-demand debut remains unconfirmed by Amazon MGM Studios. It is expected that Mercy will eventually be added to Prime Video’s subscription streaming service, expanding access to a broader audience beyond its initial release.
This quick transition to digital release highlights a growing trend in the film industry, where underperforming titles are moved rapidly from theaters to on-demand platforms to recoup losses. As sci-fi thrillers continue to explore AI concepts, Mercy serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of ambitious storytelling falling short both critically and commercially.
Chris Pratt’s involvement, alongside talent like Rebecca Ferguson and director Timur Bekmambetov, positioned Mercy as a highly anticipated movie. However, the combination of negative reviews and weak box office returns will likely influence how studios approach similar projects in the future. Viewers interested in science fiction may still want to explore Mercy upon digital release to form their own opinions about its unique take on AI and crime drama.
