Open in theaters now from Amazon MGM Studios is Mercy, a sci-fi and legal thriller starring Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, and more. The film is directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the director behind action hits such as Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. But he’s also the man behind the pioneering ScreenLife subgenre, which heavily incorporates the impact of social media, computer screens, and AI in the visual storytelling.
In a way, Mercy is like the ultimate expression of Screenlife come to fruition. Set in the near future, the film stars Pratt as a detective who wakes up to find himself strapped to a chair, and given 90 minutes to prove to an AI judge, jury, and executioner that he did not murder his wife. The film largely unfolds through computer and tablet screens as the detective uses AI to find any evidence that will set him free.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Pratt, Kali Reis, and Timur Bekmambetov about Mercy. Of course, we talked about the explosion of AI in all of our lives, and whether the film sparked any new fears about the technology. We also talked about how AI has impacted the movie industry, and what it could mean for the future.
Pratt is best known for his roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films, as well as voicing Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Reis is world champion boxer who has made the successful transition to acting, beginning with a breakout performance in Catch the Fair One, followed by her acclaimed role in HBO’s True Detective: Night Country.
Mercy opens in theaters on January 23rd. Check out the interviews below!
