Chris Pratt Explains What Makes ‘Mercy’ the Perfect Movie for Today’s Society

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Audiences interested in artificial intelligence and modern policing should check out Amazon Studios’ new film, Mercy. The movie offers a fresh take on these hot topics and stars Chris Pratt (known as Star-Lord) as Detective Raven. He has just 90 minutes to convince an AI Judge – played by Rebecca Ferguson – that he’s innocent of a crime.

TopMob recently interviewed Chris Pratt, his co-star Kali Reis (playing Detective Jaq Diallo), and director Timur Bekmambetov. They all believe their new film, Mercy, is particularly relevant and impactful for audiences today.

Pratt acknowledged the film addresses important topics like artificial intelligence and increased police presence, but he especially praised its ability to be purely entertaining. He explained that it’s great to have ’90 minutes to disconnect from your phone and get lost in a story,’ especially when that story still feels relevant to what’s happening in the world.

Pratt mentioned that everyone occasionally needs a break from the world’s craziness, and a 90-minute escape can be really welcome.

Director Timur Bekmambetov told TopMob he wanted viewers to feel completely immersed in the film—”trapped in their seats,” he said—and afterward, to reflect on the story and its meaning. He also explained that the movie is structured as a confession, and he hopes the audience will feel compelled to “kind of confess” along with the characters.

Kali Reis, the star of Mercy, explained to TopMob that she doesn’t see the film as a deeply analytical work, but rather as pure entertainment. However, she acknowledged that the movie does address important and timely issues.

Reis also mentioned she particularly likes how the show creates a sense of immediacy, making viewers feel like they’re witnessing Chris’s struggle to prove his innocence in real-time and are actively involved in the unfolding events.

You can read and watch the complete interview with Chris Pratt, Kalie Reis, and Timur Bekmambetov here. Their new film, Mercy, will be released in theaters on January 23, 2026.

Fans of Chris Pratt can also be sure to check him out in Amazon Studios’ The Terminal List.

Chris Pratt Explains Why ‘Mercy’ Is the Perfect Film For Today’s Society

The Movie Is Incredibly Relevant While Being the Perfect Form of Escapism

  • TopMob: “The film addresses a lot of extremely relevant topics. You have AI, intense policing—Can you both talk about why this is the perfect story and experience for today’s society, and how the film tackles all of that in a unique way?”

Chris Pratt agrees the film deals with important and current issues. He believes its strength lies in addressing those issues while still offering a fun and purely entertaining experience.

I believe a lot of the world’s anxiety comes to us through our phones and screens. That’s why there’s really nothing like disconnecting for about 90 minutes and getting lost in a good story. It allows you to stay aware of what’s happening, but in a way that’s relaxing and captivating.

Honestly, it’s a really captivating story, but at its heart, it’s just pure fun. I think what makes it hit home right now is that it touches on things we’re all thinking about – AI, what’s fair, and how much policing is too much. It’s all pretty stressful stuff, and sometimes you just need to escape for a bit. This movie is perfect for that – a nice, easy 90-minute break that still lets you feel connected to what’s going on in the world.

Timur Bekmambetov believes the film offers a chance to reflect on our current identities. It’s about pausing, taking a step back, and trying to understand ourselves, especially in today’s world of constant innovation and surveillance. Ultimately, he sees the movie as a form of confession – an honest look at who we are.

Definitely. This isn’t meant to be a deep, analytical piece; it’s simply for entertainment. However, it feels very timely and raises important questions, especially about how we perceive and use AI and technology. It’s a really relevant topic right now.

Like any tool, its impact depends entirely on how we choose to use it. It has the potential to create positive things, but also to cause harm. Ultimately, it’s up to us to guide its development. Considering it’s learning from us right now, and we often act aggressively towards each other, that’s what it will likely learn.

I really enjoyed the film. What makes it special is Timur’s ability to draw you in. I especially loved that it unfolds in real time – the 90-minute timeframe of the movie matches the time you’re watching, making it incredibly immersive. Plus, the 3D really adds to the experience.

Chris Pratt on How the Mercy Courtroom Was Real to Him

While the Movie Brought to Life a Fictional Story, It Certainly Felt Real to Its Star

  • TopMob: “The movie takes place, Chris, with your character, you know, strapped to a chair, interacting with the virtual interface. Can you both talk about, like, on the day, what you guys were actually interacting with and how you pulled that off?”

I was basically stuck in a chair inside a large, digital space – what we called ‘the Volume.’ The Mercy chamber felt incredibly real because it was built using that same technology. Imagine being surrounded by digital screens, sitting in a special chair, and interacting with everything around you virtually – through screens, sound, and even things like video calls. That’s exactly what the experience was like; the whole process felt completely immersive.

I wasn’t physically in the same space as the other actors. They communicated with me using a small earpiece connected to my phone and a microphone from a separate sound stage. Despite this, we were still able to connect, react to each other, and have a natural interaction, which is crucial for believable acting – it’s important to feel like you’re speaking to and responding to a real person.

That’s when I realized it lacked a real human connection – it didn’t feel like I was interacting with another person directly. This made me feel lonely, confined, and stifled, which, ironically, was exactly what my character was supposed to be experiencing.

Timur Bekmambetov explained that all the footage and scenes involving the character were filmed during his earlier, more active life. This created a strong contrast with his present state.

Chris Pratt describes his character as being at the center of a chaotic situation. As his trial unfolds, the world around him is also in turmoil, with people reacting to the events and actively trying to either help clear his name or contribute to the unfolding drama. He hints that there’s a lot happening outside the courtroom that adds to the intensity.

The movie takes place in a gritty, futuristic Los Angeles that feels very much alive – it’s almost a character itself. We see this through fast-paced action sequences, like my character’s partner, Jaq Diallo, flying a drone, or a speeding truck causing chaos in the city. There are car chases, crashes, and all the elements you’d expect from an action film.

From my character’s perspective, feeling alone and seeing the world through a digital lens mirrors what the audience will likely experience while watching. Hopefully, especially in 3D, viewers will truly feel immersed in the world of Mercy.

Kali Reis, the star of ‘Mercy,’ discussed her experience working with her fellow actors on the show, despite the fact that they rarely shared scenes together. She spoke with TopMob about the collaborative process.

  • TopMob: “You and Chris Pratt’s Chris Raven, you guys hardly share the screen together. You’re not really in the same room very often. How did you work with Pratt in those scenes? Because you’re on the phone all the time, and you are interacting. What was it like on the day? How were you interacting with him?”

Kali Reis and I spent a lot of time discussing our characters’ histories. We were keen to figure out the nature of our connection in the movie, especially since we didn’t actually film any scenes together.

It was crucial for us to understand each other’s history and how we became partners. We also wanted to learn from people who actually do this job, and see how their experiences connected to our characters and how we played off each other. Having those backstories felt like a natural part of our ongoing conversations, almost like talking on the phone – you know, just getting to know each other.

Understanding our characters’ histories and who they were before the story began was crucial. That’s what helped us navigate those early scenes, and it was incredibly helpful overall.

The full interviews can be viewed below:

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2026-01-21 01:38