Directed by Timur Bekmambetov,Mercy stars Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, and Annabelle Wallis in a sci-fi thriller scheduled for release on January 28, 2026. Written by Marco van Belle, the film follows a detective confronted with an automated justice system he helped create, in a near future dominated by AI.
In this ultra-connected society, a detective is accused of murdering his wife and finds himself on trial before a "perfect" artificial intelligence, played by Rebecca Ferguson. As the algorithm gathers evidence, the accused must prove his innocence in 90 minutes, under the watchful eye of a system he knows intimately, having designed part of it himself. The story explores the shift between human investigation, widespread suspicion, and comprehensive surveillance mechanisms.
The AI tasked with judging him becomes the central figure of suspense, both adversary and mirror of a man confronted with his professional mistakes. The film focuses on the excesses of an environment where justice is based on predictive models, while the protagonist struggles against a system he helped legitimize. The plot remains centered on the countdown and the tension between human intuition and algorithmic coldness.
The feature film is a continuation of Timur Bekmambetov's visual work, marked by extensive use of digital interfaces and immersive devices. Shot on location and enhanced with technological environments, the film depicts a futuristic architecture where control is exercised through data flows. The trailer reveals a world dominated by automated justice, a theme that extends the reflections begun in works such as Minority Report and I, Robot.
The tone shifts between fast-paced action, psychological tension, and observation of the excesses of an algorithmic system, in line with other futuristic action films. Chris Pratt plays a cornered man seeking to regain control of a device he thought he had mastered, while Rebecca Ferguson gives the AI an ambiguous character, somewhere between pure rationality and vague unease. The film is aimed at fans of science fiction and dystopian stories focused on the boundaries of automated justice.
Our thoughts on Guilty as Charged:
Guilty as Charged takes place in 2029, in a near-future world not so different from our own, where criminal justice has crossed a critical threshold: the harshest verdicts are now handed down by artificial intelligence. Eighteen defendants have already faced this automated system—eighteen convictions, eighteen executions. When a detective is accused of murdering his wife, he has only ninety minutes to prove his innocence against an unyielding AI. The film imposes a strict constraint: real-time storytelling with no escape, transforming the trial into a tense race against time.
Despite largely negative critical reviews, Guilty as Charged emerges as a surprisingly powerful cinematic experiment. While many dismissed it as a gimmick, the film fully embraces its concept and uses it as a driving force for drama. Real-time is not just a stylistic choice; it creates constant tension, an adrenaline-fueled pace that leaves no room to breathe. Every minute counts, every decision weighs heavily, and every piece of information could be decisive. The film races forward with startling efficiency and intensity.
The direction, often described as cold, actually aligns perfectly with the film’s themes. Interfaces, screens, data streams, holographic projections—its intentionally clinical aesthetic underscores a world where humanity is gradually reduced to cold statistics. The decision to adopt a screen-life style amplifies this sense of suffocation, as if the protagonist is already trapped within the algorithmic logic that condemns him. The lack of sentimentality isn’t a flaw but a deliberate choice that echoes the dehumanization at the core of this justice system.
The film’s potency is also heightened by its central antagonist, played masterfully by Rebecca Ferguson. Her deliberately distant, almost disembodied performance paints the AI judge as a chilling presence. It’s not a hysterical robot or a stereotypical evil entity; it’s a calm, logical voice—indisputable and cold. That’s what makes it terrifying. The AI doesn’t hate, doubt, or forgive: it calculates. In this universe, calculation alone is enough to condemn.
What truly sets Guilty as Charged apart is its underlying message. The film doesn’t simply critique technology outright; it questions our collective relationship with moral delegation. What does it mean to entrust the death penalty to an algorithm? Can justice exist without conscience, intuition, or human error? The final revelation—that these condemned individuals aren’t fundamentally different from others—serves as a stark warning. This future isn’t some distant dystopia; it’s a logical extrapolation of our current compromises and abandonment of moral oversight.
Admittedly, the plot doesn’t rely heavily on complex twists, and some secondary characters remain somewhat underdeveloped. But the film compensates with its mastery of pacing, conceptual clarity, and total commitment to its premise. While many sci-fi court dramas chase complexity at all costs, Guilty as Charged opts for straightforwardness and urgency—and embraces this simplicity as a potent weapon.
Guilty as Charged stands as a tense, compelling, and deeply unsettling sci-fi thriller. It’s a work that isn’t about pleasing audiences, but about confronting them with an uncomfortable question: when did we accept that justice could cease to be humane? An imperfect film, perhaps, but one that achieves rare impact and relevance within today’s science-fiction landscape.
Guilty as Charged
Film | 2026
Release date in theaters: January 28, 2026
Thriller, science fiction | Runtime: TBA
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov | Starring Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis
Original title: Mercy
Country: United States
Recognized as Guilty is part of the current trend of futuristic stories that question the place of humans in relation to machines and the legitimacy of automated decision-making systems. Combining narrative tension and ethical reflection, the film offers a dark vision of a future where human error risks being excluded in favor of inflexible algorithmic justice.
To keep the cinema experience going, check out the January movie releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, and browse our latest science fiction picks of the year.
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