Official Trailer: ‘Mercy’ (2026)

Video Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Plot Synopsis

In a dystopian near-future Los Angeles, the Mercy Court has implemented an AI-based judicial system where defendants accused of violent crimes face trial by the clock. They are given 90 minutes to prove their innocence or face immediate execution by a sonic blast.

Photo Credit: Justin Lubin/Amazon MGM Studios

LAPD Detective Chris Raven is on trial, accused of murdering his estranged wife, Nicole. The presiding AI is Judge Maddox. Chris, a recovering alcoholic who had recently relapsed following a professional tragedy, was seen leaving Nicole's house. Their daughter, Britt, later discovered Nicole's body, stabbed in the abdomen. Arrested at a bar after a confrontation with fellow officers, Chris's guilt probability stands at 97%. He needs to drop it below 92% to survive.

‘Mercy’ Featurette: First Look | Video Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Chris attempts to contact Britt, but Nicole’s parents, who have custody, forbid it. To aid Chris in his defense, Maddox utilizes surveillance and recorded data. Chris learns from his friend and Nicole's coworker, Rob Nelson, that people were concerned about Nicole. Further investigation reveals Nicole was seeing another man, Patrick Burke. Chris's partner, Detective Jaq Diallo, tracks down Burke, who confirms the affair, stating Nicole felt unable to communicate her troubles to Chris. Burke, however, has a solid alibi, and bringing him in as a person of interest only increases Chris's guilt probability.

Photo Credit: Justin Lubin/Amazon MGM Studios

Maddox shows Chris recorded evidence of his increasing aggression towards Nicole during his relapse, which she recorded for him to watch when sober. Britt's resentment is also revealed in a video call with her boyfriend, where she expresses a wish for her parents to divorce. Chris's own regret stems from his past failure to use lethal force against the killer of his former partner, Ray Vale, who was subsequently acquitted.

‘Mercy’ Film Clip: “You Were Just Programmed Wrong” | Video Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

With time running out, Chris begins to methodically eliminate suspects—Burke, Nicole's parents, friends, and coworkers—by "thinking out loud." He reconnects with Burke, learning that Nicole's main worry was a work-related issue. Focusing on the coworkers, Chris recalls a recent barbecue. Maddox highlights financial troubles of a coworker named Holt Charles, who Rob was supposedly helping. Chris suspects Holt, but Maddox's contact with him reveals the opposite: Holt was helping Rob. This leads to the discovery of missing chemicals at work, with Rob being responsible.

Reviewing the video call where Britt discovered the body, Chris notices she heard a noise and initially thought he was home. However, other footage proves he wasn't. Britt's recording of the downstairs area captures the door open and a shadowy image of a man. Maddox then pulls up a neighbor's security footage showing a disturbance in the bushes, and later, surveillance footage from a parking lot shows Rob Nelson exiting the neighbor’s car trunk.

‘Mercy’ Film Clip: “Pleading Not Guilty Online” | Video Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Chris alerts Jaq to go to Rob’s house, warning that he might be armed. SWAT finds Rob gone, but discovers the stolen chemicals and detailed plans for a bomb. Maddox reveals Rob's past: he was raised in the foster care system with his brother, David Webb—the very first person executed by the Mercy Court. Chris realizes the entire murder and trial are part of a targeted revenge scheme, instantly clearing him of the murder.

Despite being exonerated, Chris chooses to remain in the chair to maintain the network connection with Maddox, which is crucial for tracking Rob. Footage from Nicole's parents' home shows Rob kidnapping Britt and driving off in his truck. A timer activates, and Rob’s shed explodes, killing most of the SWAT team.

Deducing that Rob is driving a truck full of explosives toward the Mercy Court building to destroy it with Chris inside, Jaq pursues him on her hovercycle. Chris pleads with the task force captain not to use a bomb robot to stop Rob, as Britt is a hostage. Maddox hacks and disables the robot, preventing the explosion. Rob crashes the truck into the evacuated Mercy Court building. The network briefly resets, locking Chris into the execution sequence, but Maddox reboots in time to release him.

Chris confronts Rob inside. After a fight, Chris disarms him, preparing to execute him. Britt and Maddox intervene, urging Chris to allow Maddox to give Rob a trial. Before Chris can hear him out, Jaq shoots Rob. Rob claims his brother, David, was innocent, stating he was talking to David when the victim’s body was found. Maddox confirms this: footage shows David was not at the crime scene and was in contact with Rob. The ultimate twist is revealed: Jaq deleted evidence to condemn David, ensuring the public perception of Mercy Court's effectiveness. Both Jaq and Rob are taken into custody.