A new thriller starring Chris Pratt is dominating Amazon Prime Video, defying a wave of scathing reviews. Critics haven’t held back, with one dismissing it as “incoherent, overcomplicated nonsense with zero payoff.” Yet, audiences are captivated.
Pratt, a name synonymous with blockbuster success – from the heartwarming charm of *Everwood* and *Parks and Recreation* to the galactic adventures of *Guardians of the Galaxy* and prehistoric thrills of *Jurassic World* – takes on a dramatically different role in *Mercy*. He plays Detective Chris Raven, a man facing the ultimate trial.
The premise is a chilling one: in a near-future world, Raven stands accused of his wife’s murder. He has just 90 minutes to convince the advanced A.I. Judge Maddox – portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson – of his innocence, before his fate is sealed. The stakes are impossibly high, the pressure relentless.
The film’s concept, a courtroom drama unfolding before an emotionless artificial intelligence, initially sparked intrigue. However, the execution drew harsh criticism. One review described it as “lazily written” and “chaotically directed,” lacking both vision and entertainment value.
Another critic lamented a “terrible” ending, while others found the film a “punishing experience” and a “mindless action flick” filled with frustratingly illogical moments. The $60 million production reportedly grossed only $54.3 million worldwide, a disappointing return.
Despite the critical onslaught, viewers are responding with enthusiasm. On Rotten Tomatoes, *Mercy* boasts an 82% audience score, a stark contrast to its 25% critic rating. Fans are praising its tense atmosphere and original premise.
“Tense thriller,” one viewer posted. “Don’t know what the critics see bad about it – unless they just hate Chris Pratt. My heart was racing.” Others echoed this sentiment, highlighting the film’s compelling story and visually stunning effects.
Pratt himself acknowledged the film wasn’t intended to be a philosophical exploration of artificial intelligence. He hoped audiences would simply lose themselves in a “thrill ride,” escaping the anxieties of everyday life for 90 minutes of pure entertainment.
This isn’t the first time Pratt has seen a critically panned film find unexpected success on streaming platforms. Last year, *The Electric State*, a visually ambitious but critically dismissed film, soared to the top of Netflix’s charts, attracting over 25 million viewers in its first three days.
*The Electric State*, despite being labeled “lifeless” and “banal” by critics, proved that audience appetite doesn’t always align with professional reviews. It became one of Netflix’s biggest debuts of the year, demonstrating the power of streaming to connect films with receptive audiences.
Now, *Mercy* is experiencing a similar phenomenon, currently the most-streamed film on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. It seems that sometimes, a captivating premise and a familiar face are enough to overcome even the most brutal critiques.
