An exciting, apocalyptic dystopian film called Mercy hit theatres this month alongside a ton of media buzz! One of the attractive features was the main character, Chris Raven, portrayed by renowned actor Chris Pratt. The film takes place in a courtroom with an A.I. Judge (Rebecca Ferguson), where Raven stands on trial accused of murdering his wife, and has ninety minutes to prove his innocence. If his innocence isn’t proven, he’s executed.
What drew me to this film was Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson as the leads. Both of them do a phenomenal job of portraying their characters, and it’s clear to see through their roles that they also have great chemistry off-screen. Chris Pratt captivates the audience through his character’s emotional turmoil and goes above and beyond to demonstrate all the complexities and depth associated with his character. Ferguson also gave an outstanding performance as an A.I. model. Her emotionless expressions, interpretation of an A.I. learning, and analysis of human emotion and probability makes for a more entertaining plot.
That being said, the plot was another major factor that drew me in, especially given the recent upsurge of A.I. usage and consumption of A.I. generated content. The plot seems like a potentially realistic future for society, and so I was curious as to which direction the film would take. In terms of plot development and pacing, I found it to be extremely slow and shallow, with the most intense and climactic scenes occurring either within the first 10 minutes or the last. The storyline was mediocre and predictable, despite the film’s attempt to create a mysterious atmosphere. The film spreads itself too thin, trying to blend thrill, action and dystopian fiction into one ninety minute movie amateurishly.
Mercy does have its perks though, with its alluring visuals and special effects that really give the film a seamless feel overall. The editing and cinematography feels effortless, as if audiences are experiencing it themselves or scrolling through a digital cloud. Additionally, the film does a fantastic job of illustrating its themes and provoking thought and discourse on the subject of A.I. integration in society. The film emphasizes collaboration between A.I. and humans, especially in fields where human empathy and connection is essential, like law and the criminal justice system. As a whole, if you’re looking for a movie you can throw on in the background or turn off your brain and just zone out, this film is perfect!