In ancient lore, it is said that the creator of a torturous device, the “brazen bull,” met its fate as the first victim of its own invention. This contraption, believed to originate in ancient Greece, was a massive bronze statue resembling a bull with a lockable door. The condemned person would be enclosed inside the bull, which would then be placed over a fire, gradually heating up the interior as the victim screamed in agony. The device was designed to amplify the cries through pipes, creating a sound resembling a cow’s wail.
A new film, “Mercy,” starring Chris Pratt, draws parallels to this ancient tale with its cautionary narrative set in the year 2029. The story revolves around Detective Chris Raven waking up to a world where a merciless AI-driven court system, known as the “Mercy Court,” oversees capital punishment. When Chris becomes a suspect in his wife’s murder, he faces a trial where he must prove his innocence within a tight timeframe against overwhelming odds.
The movie attempts to delve into themes of justice, technology, and morality, echoing the brazen bull’s cruel irony. However, it falls short in exploring these concepts deeply, opting for a more surface-level treatment. As the plot unfolds, it shifts focus towards AI ethics, portraying the AI judge as a compassionate entity, which diverges from the harsh realities of AI capabilities in the real world.
While “Mercy” aims to provoke thought on the implications of AI in justice systems, its execution lacks nuance and depth, veering towards a simplistic portrayal of complex ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative that resonates beyond its initial setup, missing the opportunity to engage viewers in a more profound exploration of its thematic elements.