Actor Chris Pratt is making headlines with two major film releases, the sci-fi thriller “Mercy,” which arrives on Prime Video this week after a challenging theatrical debut, and the animated hit “Garfield,” now available for streaming on Hulu.

'Mercy' Gets a Second Chance on Streaming

“Mercy,” an AI-driven thriller starring Chris Pratt, is set to launch on Prime Video on March 22nd, seeking a broader audience after its January theatrical release significantly underperformed at the box office. The film, from Amazon MGM Studios, presented an uncharacteristic commercial stumble for Pratt, known for a string of blockbusters across various franchises.

Pratt takes on the role of Detective Chris Raven in a futuristic Los Angeles of 2029. Raven, an LAPD officer, finds himself accused of murdering his wife, a crime he has no memory of committing. He must then prove his innocence within a strict 90-minute trial to the city's AI-controlled justice system, known simply as Mercy. Rebecca Ferguson, star of “Silo,” portrays Judge Maddox, an AI-hologram presiding over the cases, who insists on facts but displays unsettling glitches.

In this world, AI makes all the calls on guilt or innocence—no human judges, just machines. Detective Raven, despite a noted drinking problem, had previously been a poster boy for LA law enforcement, having secured the first conviction under this new, high-tech system. Now, he must use the city's vast cloud-bank of bodycam footage, surveillance records, and phone data, alongside calls to colleagues and family, to clear his name before facing execution.

Directed by veteran Russian-Kazakh filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov and penned by Irish writer Marco van Belle, “Mercy” aims to be an ingenious, real-time futurist thriller-satire. It explores the insidious power of AI, although some critics found its ultimate conclusion on AI's fallibility a bit lenient. Longtime fans of Pratt will also spot a cameo from his “Parks and Recreation” co-star, Jay Jackson, reprising his role as the familiar TV newsreader Perd Hapley.

Audience vs. Critic Divide

The reception for “Mercy” has highlighted a significant disparity between professional critics and general audiences. While the film was largely panned by critics, garnering a mere 25% rating, audiences responded much more positively, giving it an 85% approval rating. This wide gulf suggests that despite critics' reservations, the movie resonated strongly with viewers.

Critics complained that Pratt spends most of the movie sitting in a chair reviewing evidence; the action doesn't really start until near the end. However, fans praised “Mercy” for being action-packed, engaging, and intriguing. Many found the concept of AI deeply integrated into law and order to be terrifyingly realistic, appreciating how the film explored the potential for artificial intelligence to overstep its bounds in daily life.

Pratt's name alone brought people in. His established success on streaming platforms, particularly with the wildly popular series “The Terminal List,” bodes well for “Mercy” as it moves to Prime Video. Pratt has a devoted fanbase for his action roles, and many who missed the film in theaters are expected to queue it up for home viewing.

'Garfield' Lands on Hulu After Box Office Success

In other news for the busy actor, Chris Pratt’s 2024 animated hit, “Garfield,” also arrived on Hulu on March 21st. Pratt voiced Garfield and the film made $234 million worldwide—a massive hit.

In the animated comedy, Garfield's famously pampered life with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and dog, Odie, takes an unexpected turn. He gets kidnapped by his long-lost father, Vic, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. Vic then ropes Garfield and Odie into a high-stakes milk heist alongside the shady character Jinx. This adventure forces Garfield to confront his past and forge a new bond with his tough-as-nails father.

The voice cast for “Garfield” includes Harvey Guillén as Odie and Nicholas Hoult as Jon Arbuckle, alongside Pratt and Jackson. Its premiere on Hulu comes as part of a slate of new releases for the streaming service this week, which also includes the complete series of the classic 90s sitcom “The Nanny” and the “Agatha Christie Library.”

Pratt's Enduring Appeal

Pratt’s career has been marked by consistent commercial success across diverse genres. His role as Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe made him a household name, complementing his other big hits like “The Lego Movie,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and the “Jurassic World” franchise films. This broad appeal, particularly his strong following in action roles and proven track record on streaming, underscores why “Mercy” could find new life on Prime Video, despite its initial critical reception. The twists are fun and the action's over-the-top, but it's still entertaining enough to watch.

The human-digital chemistry between Pratt's Raven and Ferguson's Judge Maddox in “Mercy” has even led some to speculate about a potential sequel.