Critics haven’t exactly been kind to the new sci-fi thriller Mercy. Normally when a movie hits below 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, I strongly consider giving it a pass. However, the trailer for this movie really intrigued me, so I went ahead and watched it anyway.
The film opens abruptly, with LAPD Detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) finding himself on trial for the murder of his wife – an event of which he has no memory. This is also no ordinary courtroom. Chris is alone in a cavernous space, facing down an artificial intelligence entity named “Maddox” (Rebecca Ferguson). Maddox will serve as judge, jury, and – if Chris is found guilty – executioner. Chris has only 90 minutes to cast enough doubt on his charges to avoid the death penalty.
The premise is immediately a timely one, and the idea of an AI-powered justice system is rightfully terrifying. I’m sure we can all immediately think of ways this system could turn dangerous, manipulative, or corrupt.
For the first part of this movie, I was hooked. I loved the concept of the plot unfolding in real time, and the film does a good job introducing doubt as to just how reliable Chris’ professions of innocence really are. I also adore Rebecca Ferguson and will watch pretty much any sci-fi project she appears in.
Where this movie begins to fall apart is the final third, when it becomes less of a crime thriller and more of an action flick. There’s nothing wrong with straight-up action movies (Hobbs & Shaw remains one of my favorite guilty pleasures). However, when you have a movie that introduces the concept of an AI justice system and then fails to provide meaningful commentary, it’s hard not to feel disappointed.
This movie could have had something important and thought-provoking to say, but the ending message is far too murky. You’re better off streaming Minority Report at home.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Why this trip back to Westeros didn’t click right away — but still might
I’ve mentioned before that I am a Game of Thrones defender. While I agree that the final season was way too rushed, overall the ending story beats didn’t bother me (they just needed more time to be executed better). I also fell immediately in love with the prequel House of the Dragon, and I am (impatiently) waiting for season 3.
Needless to say, I am definitely part of the target audience for the latest spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. However, after the first two episodes, I wasn’t really connecting with the story.
Maybe it’s because House of the Dragon was such an instant homerun for me. I loved the costumes, the amazing acting performances, and the complex political tension. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a more light-hearted and lower stakes venture into the lore of Westeros; perhaps that’s why it didn’t resonate with me right away. (If you’ve watched the new series or heard spoilers, this show has a somewhat…offputting opening sequence, and that’s really all I want to say about that, as I’m actively trying to purge it from my memory.)
Still, episode 3 started to pull me in a bit more, and I feel like I’m warming up to the two main characters, Ser Duncan or “Dunk,” and his squire, Aegon or “Egg.” Because it’s Game of Thrones, I’m definitely going to keep watching, and see what this show grows into.
But even if it ends up not being my thing, that’s OK. Not every story in every franchise has to appeal to every viewer. I’m hoping it hooks me in by the end, but if not, I’ve still got House of the Dragon to look forward to.
Bridgerton and Emily in Paris
Why these glossy Netflix romances still have me hooked
Bridgerton and Emily in Paris are my two favorite guilty pleasures on Netflix, and I was very excited that both have recently released new content.
I was chatting with another Emily in Paris fan, and we had a chuckle over the fact that this show is getting progressively more ridiculous and the relationship drama can be tiring at times. However, we both agreed we need at least five more seasons of this. Hopefully Emily will arrive at her happy ending eventually, but until then, it’s harmless, soap-y fun.
I will also always be game for another season of Bridgerton. While the costumes and dialogue aren’t strictly period accurate, I still love it as a vibrant “historical fantasy.” I don’t love this new season *quite* as much as I did the first two, but it’s still enjoyable to watch. This season’s primary love story is a quieter, slow burn relationship inspired by the Cinderella fairy tale, and of course I’m hoping for a happy ending here too.
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