Chris Pratt’s ‘Mercy’ Set for Disappointing Opening Weekend

Chris Pratt, who has enjoyed a string of box office hits in recent years, is about to see his latest project, ‘Mercy’, put to the test. The new science fiction thriller, co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, is due to hit cinemas this weekend, but early signs suggest it may not draw the crowds his previous films have managed. Set in a near-future Los Angeles, the story follows a detective accused of murdering his wife, forced to defend himself before an artificial intelligence judge with just 90 minutes to clear his name.

Pratt’s recent run has included the animated juggernaut The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the third Guardians of the Galaxy instalment, both of which performed handsomely at the box office. However, not every project has been met with universal acclaim; his turn in Netflix’s The Electric State drew a fair bit of criticism. On the small screen, he’s fared better, with The Terminal List and its spin-off, Dark Wolf, both finding favour with streaming audiences.

Pre-Sale Woes and Industry Speculation

Despite the star power of Pratt and Ferguson, ‘Mercy’ appears to be struggling in advance ticket sales. Industry chatter suggests the film could “not even reach double digits” in its opening weekend, a far cry from the numbers typically associated with its leading man. The film, which was first announced two years ago, also features Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, and Rafi Gavron in supporting roles.

As an Amazon MGM Studios production, the film’s performance could have wider implications for the ongoing debate over whether to prioritise theatrical releases or opt for a straight-to-streaming approach. The plot has drawn comparisons to ‘Minority Report lite’, with some noting its echoes of the Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg collaboration, though ‘Mercy’ leans heavily into the current fascination with dystopian AI narratives.

Box Office Competition and Genre Trends

‘Mercy’ is not launching in a vacuum. Other new releases are vying for attention, and recent box office results have set a high bar. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ recently outpaced ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ with a domestic take of $13.3 million. In theory, a new action film fronted by two A-listers ought to make a splash, but the landscape is crowded.

One particular rival, ‘Return to Silent Hill’—the third entry in the horror franchise inspired by the Silent Hill 2 video game—could prove a formidable opponent. Horror has been enjoying a resurgence at the box office, and nostalgia for the original games may give it an edge. If ‘Mercy’ fails to connect with cinema-goers, it may well become another talking point in the ongoing discussion about the value of the big screen experience versus the convenience of streaming at home.

Streaming Prospects and the Future

Regardless of how it fares in cinemas, ‘Mercy’ is expected to find a second life when it arrives on Prime Video in the coming months. The film’s fate could influence how studios approach future releases, especially as the industry continues to grapple with changing audience habits and the rise of AI-driven storylines in popular culture.