Box Office Shock as Rebecca Ferguson’s Release Outshines Depp’s $100M Film
The sci-fi film <em>Mercy</em>, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, has become a box office dud, failing to recoup its $60 million budget before moving to PVOD. Its performance now puts it ahead of another high-profile sci-fi misfire, the Christopher Nolan-produced <em>Transcendence</em>, a film that similarly struggled critically and commercially.
The science-fiction film “Mercy,” starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, has transitioned to Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) following a disappointing theatrical run. Despite earning strong audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, the film failed to recoup its reported $60 million budget, grossing just over $50 million globally, including roughly $24 million domestically.
This modest performance positions it above “Transcendence” in the annals of sci-fi box office misfires.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and written by Marco van Belle,“Mercy” features producers Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, and Bekmambetov himself, with a 100-minute runtime.
Critics were largely unimpressed, with Rotten Tomatoes assigning a 24% score and noting:
“Constricting its two stars inside an airless presentation of a clunky techno-thriller premise, Mercy is tedious enough to make you cry uncle.”
The film’s underwhelming debut brought in just $11 million during its opening weekend, despite the draw of Pratt and Ferguson, both recognized for successful sci-fi franchises.
The AI-themed sci-fi “Transcendence”—now overshadowed by Mercy—originally featured an ensemble cast including Johnny Depp, Kate Mara, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Paul Bettany, and Rebecca Hall.
It marked the directorial debut of Wally Pfister, long-time cinematographer for Christopher Nolan, withNolanand Emma Thomas serving as executive producers.
Transcendence, produced on a reported $150 million budget, earned only $23 million domestically and $103 million worldwide, with a critical score of 19% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics acknowledged Pfister’s visual style but criticized the film’s execution:
“Transcendence’s thought-provoking themes exceed the movie’s narrative grasp.”
The film’s commercial failure had lasting consequences for Pfister, who has not directed or returned as Nolan’s cinematographer since.
For audiences eager to watch, “Mercy” is now available on PVOD, giving sci-fi fans an opportunity to experience its high-tech thrills from home.