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Pratt embraces extreme role in real-time sci-fi drama
Actor Chris Pratt spent hours strapped barefoot into a high-tech execution chair to prepare for his latest film, Mercy, a sharp departure from his usual blockbuster roles. The sci-fi thriller, set in a dystopian near-future, follows homicide detective Chris Raven as he fights for his life in an AI-driven courtroom.
The premise: 90 minutes to prove innocence or die
In Mercy, Raven wakes up hungover in an execution chair after a drinking binge, accused of murdering his wife. With only 90 minutes to convince an artificial intelligence judge of his innocence, he must piece together the night's events while battling a crushing hangover-and the knowledge that failure means instant execution. The film unfolds in real time, heightening the tension as Raven scrambles to defend himself.
The story is set in a world where digital surveillance is ubiquitous, and AI has been weaponized to slash crime rates. The result is the Mercy court, a system Raven helped design, where trials are swift and final. Defendants are granted access to surveillance footage and brief witness calls, but there's no jury, no appeal-and a 92% execution rate. As Pratt puts it: "Commit a crime today, you'll be dead tomorrow."
Physical discomfort as method acting
Pratt, best known for his wisecracking roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, sought to immerse himself fully in the role. He requested to be physically restrained in the chair for up to 50 minutes at a stretch, believing the discomfort would amplify his performance.
"I thought this would help lend itself to the performance, and feelings of claustrophobia and being trapped. I was sweating, so if my face itched, I couldn't scratch it, and I couldn't get up."
Chris Pratt
The actor described the experience as a deliberate challenge, forcing him to abandon his usual "goofy and guileless" charm. "This is serious," he said. "I couldn't rely on the thing I like to bring to roles."
Dual filming: Courtroom claustrophobia and action sequences
Pratt's scenes with co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who plays AI Judge Maddox, were shot unconventionally. While Ferguson performed on set, Pratt was suspended several feet above the ground in the chair, unable to see her during takes. "Rebecca was there. I was listening to her voice, but she wasn't on set with me," he recalled. "Being isolated in this big box by myself was just a really great challenge."
The film's narrative unfolds through a mix of courtroom tension and surveillance footage, allowing Pratt to shift between the claustrophobic trial and high-octane action sequences. "It was almost like shooting two movies at once," he said, praising the film's blend of stage-play intensity and blockbuster spectacle.
AI in policing: Fiction vs. reality
While Mercy is firmly rooted in fiction, its themes echo real-world debates about AI's role in law enforcement. A 2025 House of Lords report noted that UK police forces are already using facial recognition to identify suspects, though critics warn of civil liberties risks. The UK government has also announced plans to deploy AI-driven "interactive crime maps" by 2030 to predict and prevent offenses.
The National Police Chiefs' Council has acknowledged AI's "immense" potential but cautioned against ethical pitfalls, including privacy concerns and the risk of AI being exploited by criminals.
Pratt, however, remains skeptical of AI-driven justice. "I do believe in a jury of your peers and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said, though he expressed cautious optimism about technology's broader potential. "I'm not a total doomsday type of guy. I think these evolving technologies might actually move humanity forward in a great way."
Balancing family and fame
Beyond his on-screen challenges, Pratt has also prioritized shielding his four children from the "onslaught of digital mania." Yet he remains pragmatic about the future of tech, balancing concern with hope.
As for his Marvel future, Pratt teased fans with a grin: "At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, they made a promise that the legendary Star-Lord will return. My prayers are that when that happens, it will be me playing him." With Avengers: Doomsday set for release in December, he hinted at a possible return: "I know that Marvel is busy cooking a lot of things in their kitchen right now, and I'm only a phone call away."
Release and reception
Mercy hits UK cinemas on Friday, January 23, offering audiences a high-stakes blend of sci-fi tension and Pratt's most physically demanding performance to date.
