Chris Pratt's 'Mercy' Goes From Box Office Flop to Amazon Prime Hit

Chris Pratt's new film, 'Mercy,' has achieved unexpected success on Amazon Prime, despite the harsh criticism it received. The film, described by some critics as 'incoherent' and 'nonsense', has become the most-watched film on the streaming platform in the UK. Chris Pratt, known for his roles in franchises like 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Jurassic World', plays a detective accused of murdering his wife in the near future.

The plot of 'Mercy' features Chris Raven, a Los Angeles police officer on trial for the murder of his wife, facing an artificial intelligence called Judge Maddox, played by Rebecca Ferguson. The film, with a budget of $60 million, only grossed $54.3 million worldwide. The reviews were relentless, calling it a 'punishing experience' and 'without vision or purpose'.

Despite the negative reviews, the public has responded very differently, with an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes, in contrast to the 25% from critics. Viewers have praised the film for its original plot and its ability to maintain tension. Chris Pratt himself has expressed that his goal was to offer a 'roller coaster' of entertainment, without the pretense of changing the public's perspective on artificial intelligence.

The difference in the reception of 'Mercy' between professional critics and the general public highlights the growing divergence in film consumption. While critics focus on technical and narrative aspects, the public seems to value the emotional experience and pure entertainment more.

The film, directed by Timur Bekmambetov and written by Marco van Belle, offers a plot that, although not well received by critics, has resonated with the Amazon Prime audience. This divergence underscores the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating the success of a film, especially in a streaming environment where access is wide and public opinion carries significant weight.

The success of 'Mercy' on Amazon Prime, despite the negative reviews, is reminiscent of the case of another Chris Pratt film, 'The Electric State,' which also had a similar performance. 'The Electric State,' based on Simon Stålenhag's illustrated novel, with a budget of $320 million, was criticized for its lack of life and passion, but it still achieved great success on Netflix, accumulating more than 25 million views in its first three days.

The triumph of 'Mercy' on Amazon Prime is not an isolated case for Chris Pratt. The actor has seen how some of his films, despite not being well received by critics, find a massive audience on streaming platforms.

This phenomenon suggests that the streaming business model allows films to find their audience, regardless of the critics' opinion. The ability to reach a global and diverse audience, with different tastes and preferences, is key to success on these platforms.

Chris Pratt himself has commented that he hopes his film offers a pure entertainment experience, detached from reflecting on complex themes. This strategy seems to have resonated with the public, who seek a momentary escape from everyday concerns.

The plot of 'Mercy' unfolds in the near future, where a detective faces trial for the murder of his wife, judged by an artificial intelligence. This premise raises questions about the role of AI in the justice system and the ethical implications of technology in society.

The film, with its science fiction elements, explores themes such as justice, loyalty, and the search for truth in an advanced technological context. The choice of Chris Pratt for the lead role and Rebecca Ferguson as the AI Judge Maddox adds a layer of interest and complexity to the narrative.

The film's success on Amazon Prime demonstrates that the public is interested in these types of stories, even if the professional critics have not positively valued the proposal.

The case of 'Mercy' underlines the diversity of tastes and preferences in film consumption. What may be considered a failure for critics may become a success for the public.

This divergence highlights the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating the success of a film, especially in the context of streaming, where access is wide and public opinion carries significant weight.

The 'Mercy' experience reminds us that cinema is a subjective art and that the success of a film is not always measured by the opinion of critics, but by the connection it establishes with the public.