2026’s Worst Movie Hits Theaters – Chris Pratt’s Latest Film Fails to Wow Critic
Chris Pratt’s latest sci-fi thriller Mercy has hit theaters, and it’s already stirring a lot of debate. The Guardians of the Galaxy star plays a detective named Chris who must prove his innocence after being accused of killing his wife, played by Annabelle Wallis. The twist? His trial is run by an AI judge, played by Rebecca Ferguson, and he only has 90 minutes to avoid execution.
To make the role feel real, Pratt actually spent most of filming restrained. Speaking at a Comic Con panel in October, he said, I was cuffed to this chair both at the feet and at the hands. He explained that being physically restricted gave him a natural sense of claustrophobia that added to the tension.
Pratt also trained with the Los Angeles Police Department’s homicide division, calling the officers heroes and describing the trauma they face as really, really staggering (People).
Despite Pratt’s dedication, critics have been harsh. As of now, Mercy has a 22 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, though the audience rating is much higher at 81 percent.
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter called the film something to avoid by anyone suffering from screen addiction. The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis wrote that the audience is unhappily stuck in a chair watching a lot of onscreen nonsense.
Peter Howell of the Toronto Star said it was lazily written, chaotically directed and played out with all the zest of a convenience-store security video. Daniel Barnes of Dare Daniel criticized the countdown clock in the film, saying it serves as a stark reminder of all the time you’re wasting.
Fans, however, have largely defended the movie. Some praised Pratt for showing he is more than a one trick pony, and others argued that Mercy is more engaging than similar sci-fi films like Minority Report. One viewer even said the pacing kept them engaged through the 90-minute trial. Still, not every fan was convinced, with some calling the plot convoluted and sloppy.
AI is the future of criminal justice, and it’s closer than you think. Mercy is only in theaters January 23. Filmed for IMAX. Experience it in 3D. pic.twitter.com/Hmrdr8j3G9
— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) December 9, 2025
Outside of Mercy, Pratt has a busy 2026 ahead. He will return as the voice of Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, expected to be a box office hit. He is also set for the second season of The Terminal List on Prime Video. Co-star Rebecca Ferguson is preparing for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, The Magic Faraway Tree, Dune: Part Three, and the upcoming season of Silo.
Mercy has sparked a lot of debate about AI, future justice, and the gap between critics and fans. While reviewers largely panned the film, audience reactions show a strong divide, making it one of the most talked-about sci-fi releases of early 2026.
Do you agree with the critics or the fans on Mercy? Share your thoughts in the comments.