Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy is all set to premiere in 2026. The sci-fi action thriller starring Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson and Annabelle Wallis in the lead roles is supported by Amazon MGM Studios. It is a sci-fi film with a courtroom angle about a main character in a future where machines control the courts and make legal decisions involving life and death.
Mercy Release Date
Mercy will hit theaters on January 23, 2026. The studio is aiming for an event-style theatrical release, with the film available in 3D and IMAX.
Initially, the movie was scheduled to be released on August 15, 2025, but it was later changed to January 2026.
Plot of Mercy
In the movie, Detective Chris Raven, an LAPD officer played by Chris Pratt, is on trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole Raven, played by Annabelle Wallis. With time running out, he has to prove his innocence, or he will be executed immediately by the AI Judge Maddox, played by Rebecca Ferguson, who is part of the ‘Mercy program.’
Mercy Premiered At AMC Lincoln Square
On January 19, 2026, the film premiered at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City and at Regal Cinemas’ Monday Mystery Movie Program, where both venues offered their audiences a sneak peek of the film. This event was a landmark event, as Mercy was the first IMAX film to be released through the Screen Unseen rollout format.
Timur Bekmambetov & Austin Keeling On Mercy
Talking about the film, Timur Bekmambetov was quoted by a portal as saying, “I’m scared, and I’m curious to see what will happen. This movie, I think, will help us to be cautious and honest about the future, because nobody knows what will happen. This movie is a provocation, a way we can provoke people to be responsible.” (sic) Editor Austin Keeling said that the movie is best experienced in a theater with a crowd.
Chris On The Courtroom Drama In Mercy
The film focuses on the conversation between Chris and the judge. As the trial unfolds, Chris starts questioning his own project, which ignores emotions and instincts and treats people on trial as “guilty until proven innocent.” The film puts humanity above technology, making viewers question their dependence on AI and how much control they give it in their lives.
Talking about the courtroom drama, Chris told the portal, “All of the courtroom stuff was one giant take. We did 50 or 60 pages at a time, so that was technically challenging and really exciting. (sic).”
