Amazon Prime Video's new no.1 sci-fi movie hit features Apple TV's Silo star

Sense of déjà vu? That's likely because Amazon MGM Studios' sci-fi movie, Mercy, was initially slated for release in 2025, before going on to cinemas where it was a relative hit – and even screened in 3D!

Just last week, from 23 March, the sci-fi success was added to Amazon Prime Video – bypassing MGM+ and, indeed, not in 3D! – where it's soared to the no.1 spot in many countries, including the UK, where it remains as the most-watched flick on the streaming service.

That could be down to the star power of co-lead, Rebecca Ferguson, who also stars in Apple TV's mega-hit series, Silo, who in this movie plays an altogether different character – an artificial intelligence (AI), tasked with passing judgment on capital criminals.

Mercy | Official Trailer 2 - YouTube

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As you can see in the above trailer, Mercy has a distinct style, appearing to have been shot in minimal locations, with many close-up shots and indoor scenes of co-star Chris Pratt, playing Detective Christopher Raven, who is accused of murdering his wife.

Surely the AI can't be wrong, right? But all is not as it seems. Raven has 90 minutes to work the case and skip his immediate death sentence, using the AI to assist in working the evidence. While sci-fi in concept, it's not too far from a near future in which we could all live.

While Mercy was effectively a theatrical flop, not making as much cash as predicted, fans have bounced back from the mediocre critics' reviews, and shout it out as being a movie worth watching. Indeed, its 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is generally positive.

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"Exciting and intelligent," quips one audience reviewer, while others see the AI 'threat' as a real reflection of where our world is headed today. The IMDB score, however, isn't quite as elevated – it's sat at 6.2 at the time of writing.

There's clearly staying power in Mercy's presence on Amazon Prime, though, as the movie has sat in the top spot for many days now. It's only some of the streamer's series that are proving more popular with audiences.

If sci-fi is very much your thing, however, then take a browse at my 9 Best Sci-Fi Shows Coming 2026 feature, which picks out some select options due on Amazon, Apple TV, Disney+ and Netflix.