“Mercy Earns $5 Million on Launch Day”
On its opening day, the sci-fi thriller “Mercy” led the domestic box office, grossing $5 million from 3,468 locations. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, this film introduces viewers to Chris Raven, portrayed by Chris Pratt, who is embroiled in a legal battle over the murder of his wife. The film is positioned to earn approximately $12.6 million by the end of its opening weekend.
Key Cast and Concept
“Mercy” features a compelling storyline where Raven is judged by an AI judge, played by Rebecca Ferguson. He must prove his innocence within a tight timeframe of 90 minutes or face immediate execution. Annabelle Wallis portrays his wife, adding emotional weight to the narrative. The screenplay was crafted by Marco van Belle, complementing Bekmambetov’s directorial vision.
Box Office Competition
This release clashed with “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which has been the box office leader for five consecutive weekends. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” earned $1.7 million on its sixth Friday and is projected to reach $7.1 million over the weekend, bringing its total to approximately $378 million. Historically, both the first “Avatar” and its sequel have maintained top rankings for seven weeks, grossing over $2 billion combined.
Other Films in the Running
The thriller “The Housemaid” took third place, generating $1.48 million and moving toward a domestic total of $115 million. This adaptation has proven to be a sleeper hit, well exceeding its $35 million budget, with a sequel already underway featuring Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig.
- Fourth Place: “Zootopia 2” earned $1.4 million, with a projected total of $401 million.
- Fifth Place: “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” made $1.2 million, expected to total $21 million by the weekend’s end.
As “Mercy” embarks on its box office journey, it seeks to redefine the landscape of this competitive weekend, potentially ending the reign of “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
