Chris Pratt’s ‘Mercy’ Faces Tough Box Office Battle This Weekend
Chris Pratt’s latest sci-fi thriller, ‘Mercy,’ is heading into theaters with low expectations despite his recent blockbuster streak. The film’s unique AI-driven plot and star-studded cast may not be enough to overcome fierce competition.
Chris Pratt, known for his string of box office hits, is about to test his luck with a new action- packed sci-fi film, ‘Mercy.’ Starring alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Pratt takes on the role of an L.A. detective in a near-future world, where he’s forced to defend himself in court after being accused of his wife’s murder. The twist? He has just 90 minutes to clear his name before an artificial intelligence judge.
Despite Pratt’s recent successes with major releases like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, ‘Mercy’ is entering theaters with a cloud of uncertainty. The film, which also features Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, and Rafi Gavron, has yet to be reviewed by critics. Early ticket sales, however, have been underwhelming, with some industry insiders predicting the movie may struggle to even hit double-digit millions in its opening weekend.
High Stakes for Amazon MGM Studios
‘Mercy’ was first announced two years ago, quickly drawing attention with Pratt and Ferguson attached to the project. As an Amazon MGM Studios production, its performance at the box office could have broader implications for the ongoing debate between releasing films in theaters versus sending them straight to streaming platforms. The movie’s premise has drawn comparisons to
“Minority Report lite,”
referencing the Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg classic, thanks to its focus on futuristic justice and AI- driven decision-making.
With artificial intelligence becoming a hot topic in science fiction, ‘Mercy’ taps into the current wave of dystopian stories exploring the impact of technology on society. The film’s unique courtroom drama, set against a backdrop of high-tech intrigue, aims to stand out in a crowded field of new releases.
Fierce Competition at the Box Office
‘Mercy’ isn’t the only major title hitting theaters this week. The film faces stiff competition from other high-profile releases, including ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash, ’ which recently pulled in $13.3 million domestically, outpacing ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.’ While a new action thriller led by two A-list stars would typically be expected to perform well, the market is crowded.
One of the biggest threats comes from ‘Return to Silent Hill,’ the third installment in the popular horror franchise based on the Silent Hill 2 video game. With horror films enjoying a resurgence at the box office and nostalgia running high, ‘Return to Silent Hill’ could easily draw audiences away from ‘Mercy.’
Streaming Prospects and the Future of Theatrical Releases
Regardless of how ‘Mercy’ fares in theaters, the film is expected to find a second life when it arrives on Prime Video in the coming months. If the movie underperforms at the box office, it could add fuel to the ongoing conversation about whether big-budget films are better suited for streaming or traditional theatrical runs. For now, all eyes are on this weekend’s numbers to see if Pratt’s latest project can defy the odds.