Chris Pratt Unveils ‘Mercy’ Trailer at New York Comic Con

New York, NY — The cast and creative team behind Amazon MGM Studios‘ upcoming film ‘Mercy’ held a panel at New York Comic Con on Thursday. The team, including star Chris Pratt, co-star Kali Reis, director-producer Timur Bekmambetov, and producer Charles Roven, discussed their filming approach and shared the film’s trailer, set to release on January 23, 2026.

‘Mercy’ takes place in the year 2029 and follows Pratt’s character, an LAPD detective who finds himself strapped to an execution chair, accused of murdering his wife. With only 90 minutes to prove his innocence, he must face a sophisticated A.I. system known as Judge Maddox, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, who serves as judge, jury, and executioner.

During the panel, a video message from Ferguson apologized for her absence. However, she teased that the footage included a nearly three-minute trailer of ‘Mercy’. ‘This was a departure for me,’ Pratt said, discussing the character. ‘He is a homicide detective who has seen a lot and is part of this special new Mercy program using A.I. to combat rising crime rates.’

Director Bekmambetov noted that casting was crucial in creating a diverse performance pool. ‘There’s something new for Chris in this movie; it’s his next iteration,’ he said. ‘He’s playing a dark and very vulnerable character in a dramatic story.’

Reis, who plays Pratt’s partner, added, ‘She’s very loyal, but there’s much more to her than meets the eye.’ She spoke about the script’s depth and how it shaped her character’s beliefs.

Bekmambetov emphasized the narrative’s real-time aspect, stating that Mercy’s 90-minute constraint served as a storytelling device, reflecting our contemporary world as A.I. technology evolves. Producer Roven echoed similar sentiments, noting that when they first pitched the film, A.I. was just an emerging topic. ‘By the time we started talking about the movie, A.I. was becoming a reality,’ he said.

Further emphasizing the film’s unique visuals, the production employed what Bekmambetov described as a blend of practical and green screen effects, creating an immersive IMAX experience. ‘We spent several days filming in downtown, using innovative technology to merge our footage with virtual production,’ he explained.

Innovative filming techniques were also highlighted, such as utilizing robotic dogs to capture scenes, marking a first in filmmaking, according to Bekmambetov. The directors urged audiences to experience ‘Mercy’ in IMAX, noting that the visuals create a visceral experience of what Pratt’s character endures.

As anticipation builds, the creative team looks forward to audience reactions to the film’s unique blend of technology, suspense, and storytelling.