Although the sci-fi thriller Mercy struggled at the box office, its presence on streaming platforms is rising notably. Weeks after its disappointing theatrical release, the Chris Pratt Mercy streaming surge is evident, with the film ranking among the most purchased titles on the Apple TV Store.
By February 18, Mercy secured the sixth position on Apple TV Store’s top 10 most popular movies, according to Flix Patrol data. The film trailed behind hits like Marty Supreme, Zootopia 2, and The Housemaid, which remains the platform’s current leader. However, it surpassed other notable films such as Hamnet, Nuremberg, and the cult classic Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair.
Plot and Cast Details of Mercy
Set in a dystopian future, Mercy follows LAPD detective Chris Raven, portrayed by Chris Pratt, who must confront an AI judge after being accused of murdering his wife. Rebecca Ferguson plays the AI Judge Maddox, while the supporting cast features Kali Reis as Jacqueline ‘Jaq’ Diallo, Annabelle Wallis as Nicole Raven, and Chris Sullivan in key roles.
Despite the strong ensemble and intriguing storyline, Mercy failed to attract large theater audiences. The film grossed only $53 million against a $60 million budget, leaving critics and viewers split on whether the movie delivered on its promise.
Reception from Critics and Viewers
Fan response has been mixed, with Mercy earning an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, which gauges audience opinions. On the other hand, professional critics were largely unimpressed, assigning it a low 24% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Reviewers cited a confusing plot and poor use of Chris Pratt’s star power as major shortcomings. One reviewer even remarked that the film’s brief 100-minute runtime was its best attribute.
Chris Pratt’s High Hopes During Production
Despite the film’s lackluster reception, Chris Pratt expressed strong enthusiasm about Mercy during production. In May 2024, he described the project as “wildly fresh” and “so innovative.”
“It’s absolutely original, which I have to say is more and more rare these days,”
Chris Pratt said. The story is incredible.
Pratt praised the script’s compelling nature and credited director Timur Bekmambetov’s vision along with producer Chuck Roven as major reasons for his involvement. He also mentioned personal motivations related to filming in Los Angeles so he could be close to his family.
“the script was one of these scripts that, the minute I picked it up, I didn’t put it down until I was completely done with,”
he said.
“It shoots in Los Angeles, which is a big deal for me because I’m a father and I wanna be home in time to tuck my kids into bed,”
Pratt added.
That was a big part of it, too.
Future Prospects for Mercy on Streaming Services
While Mercy did not perform well in theaters, the film has the potential to connect with a larger audience via digital platforms. This pattern is consistent with other recent sci-fi films such as Disney’s Tron: Ares, which initially failed at the box office but later found success on streaming services. Mercy has not yet received an official streaming release date but is slated to debut on Prime Video.
Currently, Mercy is available to purchase on multiple premium video-on-demand outlets, including YouTube, Amazon, and the Apple TV Store, signaling opportunities for the movie to grow its fanbase outside traditional cinema.
Main Cast of Mercy
Chris Pratt stars as Det. Christopher Raven, the film’s central character. Rebecca Ferguson plays the role of Judge Maddox, the AI authority in the story. Kali Reis portrays Jacqueline ‘Jaq’ Diallo, and Annabelle Wallis takes on the role of Nicole Raven, Chris’s wife whose death triggers the film’s conflict.
