Two of Hollywood's biggest sci-fi stars have joined forces for a project that's proving as controversial as it is compelling. Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt, both veterans of massive blockbuster franchises, headline the new dystopian thriller Mercy, which makes its streaming debut on Prime Video this Saturday, March 22.
The film marks an intriguing collaboration between two actors with impressive genre credentials. Ferguson has captivated audiences as Ilsa Faust in the Mission: Impossible series and as Lady Jessica in Denis Villeneuve's acclaimed Dune films, while also leading the hit Apple TV+ series Silo. Pratt, meanwhile, has become a box office powerhouse through his roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World franchises.
A Future Where Justice Is Swift and Digital
Mercy transports viewers to a bleak future where the justice system has been radically transformed. Pratt plays a detective who finds himself on the wrong side of the law when he's accused of murdering his wife. In this world, the accused have a mere ninety minutes to present their case—not to a human jury, but to an artificial intelligence judge, portrayed with chilling authority by Ferguson.
The film's high-concept premise and star power weren't enough to win over critics, who gave it a harsh 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, however, responded much more favorably, awarding it an 83% on the platform's Popcornmeter. This stark divide between professional reviews and viewer sentiment created one of the more interesting reception stories of the early 2026 release calendar.
From Theatrical Run to Streaming Salvation
That audience enthusiasm didn't fully translate to box office success. Mercy collected $54 million globally against a reported $60 million production budget during its theatrical run. The film later found stronger financial footing through video-on-demand platforms, helping to offset its theatrical performance and paving the way for its streaming arrival.
Prime Video's acquisition of the film provides a second life for the divisive thriller, allowing subscribers to judge the AI courtroom drama for themselves this weekend. The streaming release comes as Ferguson prepares for a busy year. She will reprise her role as Lady Jessica in Dune: Part Three, though she has confirmed her appearance is brief. Fans can also look forward to the return of her Apple TV+ series, with Silo Season 3 slated for release this summer.
Pratt, meanwhile, is set to star in the upcoming Apple TV+ military thriller Way of the Warrior Kid alongside Linda Cardellini later this year. The actor's schedule may be lighter on franchise commitments for now, but his team-up with Ferguson in Mercy offers a fresh, if contentious, entry in both of their filmographies.
The film's journey from a debated theatrical release to a streaming platform highlights the evolving pathways for mid-budget genre films. As seen with other titles that found their audience after leaving cinemas, like the recent re-release of The Revenant, a movie's life is often just beginning when it hits the home screen.
For viewers curious about the film that sparked such contrasting reactions, or simply eager to see two major stars tackle a futuristic legal thriller, Mercy begins its streaming judgment on Prime Video March 22. Its arrival adds to a competitive streaming landscape that recently saw Virgin River Season 7 dethrone Bridgerton in viewer attention, proving there's always room for another compelling story.
