Mixed Reviews for Chris Pratt’s Mercy Movie: Insights from Rotten Tomatoes and Beyond
Chris Pratt’s AI-centric film Mercy is stirring significant controversy among critics and viewers alike.
This sci-fi thriller set in the future, which premiered in theaters on Friday, January 23, follows detective Chris (Pratt), who finds himself on trial for his wife’s (Annabelle Wallis) murder, as decreed by an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson). He has just 90 minutes to prove his innocence or face immediate execution.
Pratt is mostly bound to a chair throughout the movie, marking a shift from his usual action-packed roles. During a Comic Con panel in October 2025, he revealed that he requested to be restrained to authentically convey anxiety.
“I was cuffed to this chair both at the feet and at the hands,” Pratt explained to attendees, as reported by People. “At one point, I was even strapped down with my head restrained at the end, just before a critical moment — I don’t want to spoil the movie.”
He continued, “Being restrained naturally induces a sense of claustrophobia, which actually worked in our favor.”
Additionally, Pratt collaborated with the LAPD, including the homicide division, before filming, calling the experience “incredible.”
“These officers are true heroes; the challenges and trauma they face daily are astonishing,” he shared with People.
Keep reading to discover the reactions from audiences and critics regarding Mercy:
What Is ‘Mercy’ Rated on Rotten Tomatoes?
The sci-fi thriller currently holds a rating of 22 percent from critics compared to 82 percent from audiences. (To achieve “Certified Fresh” status, a film requires a critic score of 55 percent or higher.)
What Are Critics Saying About ‘Mercy’?
Critics have largely panned Mercy, with Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter warning viewers to “avoid it if they suffer from screen addiction, which is pretty much everyone these days.”
Manohla Dargis of the New York Times criticized the film, describing it as a narrative where the lead character, similar to the unhappy audience, is “trapped in a chair, watching nonsensical events unfold on screen.” Peter Howell of the Toronto Star, added that Mercy feels “lazily written, chaotically directed, and as enthralling as a convenience-store security video.”
Dare Daniel’s Daniel Barnes humorously suggested that having a visible countdown clock in such a tedious film might not be wise, as it serves as a reminder of “how much time you are wasting.”
However, a few critics did find positives in Mercy. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as “innovative and engaging” with “playful twists,” while Sonia Rao of the Washington Post remarked it was both “absurd” and “entertaining.”
What Are Fans Saying About ‘Mercy’?
Mercy has received a warmer reception from the general audience. One RT viewer described it as a “unique” thriller that is still “very enjoyable,” while another praised its pacing and its ability to “keep you engaged.”
One viewer expressed admiration for Chris Pratt’s performance, asserting that the film showcases he’s not merely a “one trick pony.”
“I’ve heard some people say they won’t watch this because they see it as a Minority Report sequel,” the viewer continued. “This is much better than Minority Report, and while it shares similar themes, it’s like avoiding all sci-fi movies because you saw Star Wars once.”
On the flip side, not everyone was impressed. One one-star review on Rotten Tomatoes labeled the plot as “convoluted” and “sloppy,” while another simply called it a “terrible movie.”
Mercy is currently in theaters.
