This weekend, a major film from Amazon MGM Studios hits theaters: Mercy, a thrilling look at a dystopian future featuring Chris Pratt. The movie made $1.5 million in previews on Thursday. Estimates suggest it could earn between $12 million and $15 million over the weekend, primarily battling against the sixth weekend of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which may see a drop to around $7 million. Unfortunately, a winter storm could impact theater attendance from Texas to New England.
This storm—the result of a weather pattern affecting broad areas—might deter some moviegoers. The film Mercy has performed better in previews compared to similar releases, like Greenland 2: Migration, which earned $900,000, and Jason Statham’s A Working Man, which did $1.1 million last year.
In Mercy, Pratt stars as a detective facing trial for his wife’s murder. He has just 90 minutes to convince an advanced AI judge, voiced by Rebecca Ferguson, of his innocence. This concept of AI judging humans raises questions about technology’s role in our lives and the ethics surrounding it. Discussions about AI in justice are becoming increasingly relevant, especially as we see advancements in AI technology in real-world law enforcement.
The film has opened in multiple countries, starting with Belgium and Indonesia, and will continue its rollout across various markets, including the UK and Japan. This strategy suggests that the film is aiming for a global audience, with an emphasis on action-packed narratives that tend to perform well in places like Germany and Mexico.
Another release, Return to Silent Hill, is also on the radar but is projected to perform modestly, with early estimates in the low to mid-single digits at about 1,830 theaters. Critics haven’t been kind, giving it a low score on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, Focus Features is expanding Hamnet from 718 to nearly 2,000 theaters after receiving eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. This film is expected to gain strong traction at the box office.
In light of severe weather predictions, some regions like New York City and Boston could see substantial snow—a reminder of how external factors can affect movie attendance. Experts say that harsh weather can deter people from going out at all, potentially leading to significant drops in box office earnings.
As the industry watches closely, the combination of weather and new film releases might set the stage for an interesting weekend at the box office. For more insights into AI’s role in the legal system, you can check out reports from The Brookings Institution.
Source link
Amazon MGM Studios,Mercy,Return To Silent Hill
