Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson set to face ‘AI judge’ in upcoming sci-fi thriller ‘Mercy’: Release date

Chris Pratt is set to return to the sci-fi genre later this month with Mercy an intense new thriller that could become one of 2026’s standout science-fiction releases.

The film which is arriving in cinemas on January 23, 2026 sees Pratt leading the cast as Detective Chris Raven, a man accused of murdering his wife in a near-future world ruled by artificial intelligence.

Mercy is set in the year 2019 introducing a chilling twist: Raven has just 90 minutes to prove his innocence before an A.I. judge reaches its verdict for him.

If the program determines he is more than 92 per cent guilty he will be executed.

Much of the film unfolds with Raven strapped to a chair as the A.I. analyses every detail of his life turning the trial into both a race against time and a psychological breakdown of his character.

The premise blends high-stakes tension with deeper questions about justice, surveillance and technology’s grip on human fate.

Pratt is joined by Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis and Kylie Rogers, with Ferguson best known for Dune helping anchor the story’s emotional weight.

With its claustrophobic setup, ticking-clock pressure and moral dilemmas Mercy promises a sharp burst of sci-fi adrenaline.

For fans of futuristic thrillers and character-driven suspense Mercy is shaping up to be an early must-watch of 2026.