Mercy (2026): Chris Pratt Faces an A.I. Judge in a Race Against Time — Full Breakdown, Story Setup & Why This Sci-Fi Thriller Is Already a Must-Watch

In 2026, the courtroom isn’t run by humans anymore.

It’s run by an A.I.

Mercy, the upcoming sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, throws us into a chilling, near-future Los Angeles where justice is fully automated, emotions don’t matter, and your fate is calculated by a machine. With IMAX filming, intense 3D sequences, and a nerve-shredding 90-minute ticking clock, this movie is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most gripping theatrical releases.

If you’re into films like Minority Report, Edge of Tomorrow, Ex Machina, or Looper, buckle up — Mercy is aiming straight for that territory, but with a brutal new twist:

If you are innocent…you must prove it to an A.I. that doesn’t believe you.

Mercy (2026) is a futuristic sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt as a detective forced to prove his innocence to an A.I. judge before time runs out. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and filmed for IMAX, the movie hits theaters January 23, 2026. Here’s the full breakdown, story setup, cast, and why Mercy is one of the most anticipated films of the year.

🎥 What Is Mercy About? The Future of Justice Turns Deadly

Set in 2029 Los Angeles, the film centers on Detective Tommy Killian (Chris Pratt), a once-respected officer who helped pioneer A.I.-assisted policing. Now, the same system he built has turned against him.

His wife is dead. He is the prime suspect. And the trial is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

There is no jury.

No lawyers.

No waiting weeks for verdicts. Only a single A.I. judge — played with chilling precision by Rebecca Ferguson — is designed to cut through human emotion and determine the truth within minutes.

But this time, something is wrong. Something in the code.Something in the system.Something… personal.

Tommy has 90 minutes — real-time — to prove he didn’t kill his wife.

And the clock is already counting down.

⚖️ A.I. Justice on Trial: What Makes Mercy So Disturbingly Real

Unlike many sci-fi thrillers that imagine far-off futures, Mercy leans into the world we’re building right now:

✔ A.I. law enforcement✔ Algorithm-based sentencing✔ Automated surveillance✔ Digital evidence parsing✔ Real-time risk evaluation

If A.I. controlled the courts, how long before human nuance gets erased?

This movie asks the question bluntly: When justice becomes data… do humans still stand a chance?

Rebecca Ferguson’s A.I. Judge is cool, logical, unshakeable—and terrifying in her confidence. She knows every lie a suspect might tell. She analyzes every heartbeat, every micro-expression. And she doesn't get tired, emotional, or confused.

But what if the machine is wrong?What if it’s compromised?What if someone hacked the future of justice itself?

🔥 Why the Trailer Has Fans Losing Their

Minds

The second official trailer reveals a film that is intense, claustrophobic, and loaded with IMAX-crafted action:

• Chris Pratt running through futuristic police corridors

• Rebecca Ferguson delivering cold, serene, terrifying lines

• Explosive flashbacks of the murder

• Holoscreens reconstructing the crime scene

• A ticking 90-minute countdown

• High-speed chases as Tommy escapes surveillance drones

• A conspiracy unfolding frame by frame

Pratt is giving one of his most grounded dramatic performances since Zero Dark Thirty, and Ferguson commands the screen like an A.I. goddess of justice.

The tension hits immediately: “If you are innocent… prove it.”

This isn’t a request. It’s a death sentence with a timer.

👥 Full Cast & Who They Play

Chris Pratt — Detective Tommy Killian

A man racing against both time and technology.

Rebecca Ferguson — The A.I. Judge

Calm. Unbiased. Unstoppable. Or so it thinks.

Kali Reis

A hardened security officer caught between protocol and humanity.

Annabelle Wallis

A key figure connected to the murder case.

Chris Sullivan

A tech engineer who knows more about the A.I. than he admits.

Kylie Rogers

A character central to Tommy’s past… and possibly his future.

This cast is stacked with performers who excel at emotional depth — crucial for a story where the stakes are life or death and time is slipping away second by second.

🎬 The Filmmaking Team Behind Mercy

Director: Timur Bekmambetov. Known for Wanted, Ben-Hur, and cutting-edge visual filmmaking.

Writer: Marco van Belle brings a smart, clean sci-fi script loaded with moral conflict.

Produced by:

• Charles Roven (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

• Timur Bekmambetov

• Robert Amidon

• Majd Nassif

These are heavy-hitters with a strong record in both spectacle and storytelling.

🎞️ Filmed for IMAX & 3D: Expect a Sensory Overload

Mercy wasn’t just shot — it was engineered.

Bekmambetov uses IMAX cameras to create:

• Massive-scale digital trial chambers

• Futuristic cityscapes of 2029 L.A.

• High-speed drone chases

• Interactive holographic evidence displays

• A real-time countdown that pulses with anxiety

Watching Mercy in 3D IMAX isn’t optional.

It’s the whole point.

⏳ Why This Movie Is Already Generating Awards Buzz

• A high-concept premise grounded in reality

• Two powerhouse leads in fierce, cerebral roles

• A tightly-contained thriller with real-time tension

• Themes that hit exactly where society is heading

• Stylish, brutal, and smart filmmaking

Mercy isn’t just a sci-fi thriller.

It’s a warning.

🎯 Conclusion — Mercy Could Be 2026’s Most Talked-About Sci-Fi Thriller

Between its terrifyingly plausible premise, its all-star cast, and a director known for visual power, Mercy has everything it needs to become:

✔ A blockbuster hit

✔ A critical favorite

✔ A tech-era conversation piece

✔ A fan obsession for years to come

Chris Pratt vs. an A.I. judge isn’t just a movie — it’s the debate of the future wrapped in a 90-minute thriller that never lets you breathe.

Mark your calendar.

January 23, 2026. Only in cinemas. IMAX recommended.