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Nuremberg Today
By the People, for the People
Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt's New $52.7M Sci-Fi Thriller "Mercy" Quietly Lands on Prime Video
The dystopian future film follows a detective accused of killing his wife who has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt have teamed up for the new sci-fi thriller "Mercy", which is set in a dystopian future and follows a detective (Pratt) who is accused of killing his wife. In this alternate future, those accused of crimes like murder have 90 minutes to prove their innocence to an AI judge, played by Ferguson. The film earned a poor 24% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes but an 83% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter, and has grossed only $53 million at the box office against a $60 million budget. Without much fanfare, Amazon MGM has quietly dropped "Mercy" on VOD platforms like Prime Video, where it is now available to rent for $19.99 or purchase for $24.99.
Why it matters
This release strategy for "Mercy" highlights the growing trend of major studios quietly dropping underperforming films directly to VOD platforms, rather than giving them a traditional theatrical release. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, more and more films are finding success through on-demand viewing rather than the traditional box office.
The details
"Mercy" is a dystopian sci-fi thriller that features two of Hollywood's biggest stars, Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt. The film follows a detective (Pratt) who is accused of killing his wife and must prove his innocence to an AI judge (Ferguson) within 90 minutes. Despite a sizable $60 million budget, the film struggled at the box office, earning only $53 million globally. Rather than give the film a traditional theatrical release, Amazon MGM has opted to quietly drop it on VOD platforms like Prime Video, where it is now available to rent or purchase.
- "Mercy" was released in theaters in January 2026.
The players
Rebecca Ferguson
An acclaimed actress known for her roles in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise and the Apple TV series "Silo".
Chris Pratt
A major Hollywood star who has headlined blockbuster franchises like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World".
Amazon MGM
The studio that produced and distributed "Mercy", and has opted to quietly release the film on VOD platforms like Prime Video.
What’s next
As "Mercy" continues to find an audience on VOD, fans will be eager to see if the film's performance leads to any future collaborations between stars Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt.
The takeaway
The quiet VOD release of "Mercy" highlights the evolving entertainment landscape, where major studios are increasingly opting to bypass traditional theatrical releases for underperforming films and instead focus on driving viewership through on-demand platforms. This strategy allows studios to recoup their investments while still giving audiences access to new content.
