Rebecca Ferguson, a prominent actress known for her impressive run in acclaimed sci-fi projects like the Dune trilogy and Apple TV+'s Silo, is currently navigating a mixed bag of film receptions. Her latest release, the sci-fi action thriller Mercy, co-starring Chris Pratt, has been met with a harsh critical response, positioning it among the worst-reviewed films of the year so far.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, known for pioneering the screenlife format, Mercy holds a low 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes, significantly lower than Ferguson's other films such as Reminiscence (37%) and The Girl on the Train (44%), though still outperforming The Snowman (7%).

Mercy, which premiered on January 23, 2026, is expected to underperform at the box office with an estimated $10 million debut. Despite one critic praising Ferguson's performance, the movie is a notable bump in her recent hot streak. For Chris Pratt, it marks a post-franchise role following his successful runs in Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy.

The plot revolves around Pratt's character gathering evidence to clear his name after being accused of murdering his wife, with his judgment overseen by an AI he helped create. Produced on a reported budget of $60 million, Mercy struggles to find critical favor.

In stark contrast to Mercy's struggles, Ferguson's 2017 sci-fi thriller Life is enjoying a renewed surge on streaming charts worldwide. Co-starring Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Daniel Espinosa, Life tells the story of astronauts aboard the International Space Station who discover extraterrestrial life from Mars that proves far more intelligent and terrifying than imagined. Upon its release, the film garnered middling-to-positive reviews, holding a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting it was thrilling and well-acted despite not adding new elements to the 'trapped-in-space' genre.

Audiences, however, were more reserved, giving it a 55% rating, and it was often dismissed as a copycat of Ridley Scott's Alien.

Over the years, Life's reputation has undergone a quiet reappraisal, with many now believing it received more criticism than it deserved. Produced on a $58 million budget, it grossed approximately $100 million worldwide, avoiding outright bomb status but falling short of the typical break-even point.

Despite its initial box office performance, Life is currently streaming on HBO Max and has climbed to the top of streaming charts in several international territories, peaking at No. 2 in countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia, according to FlixPatrol.

The film's ending left a clear opening for a potential sequel, and despite plans likely being shelved due to its underwhelming box office, fan interest persists. Online forums continue to propose plotlines, and even a fake sequel trailer circulated on YouTube. With Ferguson maintaining her status as a box-office draw and the film's continued popularity on streaming platforms, fans remain hopeful for a continuation of the story, though nothing has been officially confirmed.