Chris Pratt’s Mercy Continues the Worst Sci-Fi Movie Trend

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It’s a common saying that if we don’t learn from the past, we’re destined to repeat its mistakes. After struggling to finish a recent film starring Chris Pratt, I think it’s important to talk about why. The movie came out on Friday, January 24th, with some early showings the day before to maximize weekend earnings. Even though most people haven’t seen it yet, the initial reaction is largely negative.

It’s baffling why Hollywood keeps making movies that largely feature actors simply being on screen for almost two hours. Time and time again, this approach has failed, and it’s clear the formula doesn’t work. Even borrowing ideas from a classic like Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise’s Minority Report didn’t save it, though they did attempt it.

Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson Couldn’t Save Mercy

Studio heads seem to think casting big stars will attract audiences, but it actually frustrates those of us who do watch these films. We’re hoping the presence of talented actors will distract from the fact that many movies simply involve characters sitting around and watching other events unfold – and that they’re fundamentally flawed.

Look, I’ve seen a lot of superhero movies, and this one just doesn’t grab me. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter who they cast or how much money they throw at it. Unless we’re talking about a really focused, efficient story – like Professor X using Cerebro for a quick, impactful scene – and not a drawn-out two-hour affair, I don’t think anyone’s going to be interested. They need to rethink this approach; it’s just not working.

The cast isn’t the problem here. Unlike Prime Video’s underwhelming War of the Worlds (2025), this story has a strong foundation with a compelling hero-versus-villain dynamic.

Mercy Gives No … Mercy … to Its Audiences

This isn’t meant as criticism of Chris Pratt’s performance in Mercy—not at all. He’s a highly respected actor who achieved international fame by connecting with viewers. He first gained recognition for his earlier work and then became a leading face of incredibly successful franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World.

Chris Pratt has successfully transitioned between movies and streaming projects. While critics weren’t impressed with films like The Tomorrow War and The Terminal List, audiences generally enjoyed them, which suggests Mercy wasn’t a complete failure despite its low score. Although it received only a 20% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes – a new low for Pratt – it feels more like a misstep in the project itself rather than a poor performance from him or the cast.

The core of the story revolves around a detective in LA participating in what’s essentially a video call – while wearing a prom dress – to prove his innocence in his wife’s murder. He’s using every available resource, from government tech to everyday tools, in a high-stakes attempt to analyze evidence. It’s a do-or-die situation where he relies on help, much like the lifelines in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, all while working from his central command station.

Mercy Is War of the Worlds With a More Expensive Chair

Does that sound familiar? It should – a very similar story was at the heart of one of the biggest flops in movie history, and audiences absolutely hated it. You might want to brace yourself, because I’m about to mention it.

The 2025 film featured the multi-talented artist – now an actor and director – playing a stressed-out dad and IT expert. From his high-tech chair, he tries to prevent an alien invasion, gathering information and even engaging in some questionable activities. While the movie had many flaws, I won’t detail them all. It initially received a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and while it’s improved slightly, it currently sits at just 4% from critics and 20% from audiences.

Amazon, through Prime Video and MGM Studios, quickly returned to making slasher films, less than a year after seemingly abandoning the genre. It’s possible they believed that casting well-known actors and increasing the budget would change viewers’ negative reaction to their previous attempt.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, period.

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2026-01-26 03:14