AceShowbiz - Mercy is making waves as the leading movie on Amazon Prime Video worldwide, surpassing the previously dominant swashbuckling adventure The Bluff. This notable achievement comes despite the film's underwhelming box office performance and polarized critical reception.

The year 2026 has proven to be a thrilling one for science fiction enthusiasts, with several major projects generating excitement. Among the most anticipated are Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary, which has already captivated global audiences, Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Disclosure Day set for June, and the grand finale of the Dune saga, Dune: Part Three, arriving in December.

Amidst this rich sci-fi landscape, Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt star in Mercy, a film exploring the timely and provocative theme of artificial intelligence. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the movie follows detective Chris Raven (played by Chris Pratt), who faces accusations of murdering his wife and must defend himself before an AI judge, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson.

Despite an 82% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, critical response was much harsher, with the film receiving just 25% from critics. Financially, Mercy failed to recoup its $60 million production budget, grossing only $54.3 million worldwide at the box office. However, the rise of streaming platforms has shifted the metrics of success, allowing films like Mercy to find a second life beyond theaters.

Recently released on Amazon Prime Video, Mercy quickly climbed to the #1 spot globally, according to FlixPatrol. It dethroned The Bluff, a Prime original starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban, which had held the top position since its debut on the platform.

Mercy delivers a mixture of science fiction and mystery, with notable performances from supporting cast members including Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, and Kylie Rogers. According to Collider reviewer Jeff Ewing, "Pratt delivers a sufficiently admirable performance, while Ferguson is stellar as the AI judge."

Ewing also pointed out some shortcomings in the film’s execution: "Some of the twists move a little too quickly; even watching on a big screen leads blink-and-you'll-miss-them details flying by too quickly. There are also a few logical issues with various machinations and character plans, and the world only makes sense in the most superficial of ways." Despite these flaws, he acknowledged the movie's ambition, stating it is "a successful foray into sci-fi territory thanks to a willingness to stretch the subgenre's established rules, making for a fun murder mystery that keeps audiences guessing."

The combination of a compelling concept and strong lead performances appears to have resonated with streaming audiences, highlighting how digital platforms can enhance a film’s reach and popularity well beyond its theatrical run.

Mercy runs 100 minutes and was released on January 19, 2026. The film was written by Marco van Belle and produced by a team including Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, and Timur Bekmambetov himself. Its fusion of sci-fi elements with a murder mystery narrative makes it a distinctive addition to this year’s cinematic offerings.

With many sci-fi titles lined up for release throughout 2026, including the likes of Project Hail Mary and Disclosure Day, fans have plenty to look forward to both in theaters and via streaming services. Meanwhile, Mercy proves that even films that falter at the box office can find new success by captivating audiences in the home-viewing space.

For those interested, both Mercy and The Bluff are currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, offering contrasting experiences—one a futuristic thriller centered on AI and justice, the other a high-seas adventure.