WARNING - potential spoilers 

Plot

Set in Los Angeles, an increase in crime cases across the country is assessed by an AI-powered court named the Mercy Capital Court. The judge, also AI-powered, Maddox, gives the defendants 90 minutes to prove their innocence by utilising available resources such as text messages and video recordings. She is presented with defendant Christopher Raven (Chris), a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. He's currently on trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole. Interestingly, his probability of guilt must be below 92% to avoid execution, but things don't start off too well. 

Initially, all the evidence points to Chris, and he struggles to fall below the 92% threshold. He was captured as the last person entering the family home before his wife was killed, along with blood stains on his clothes. 

He later learns what his wife was hiding from him and hunts through video footage of a work barbecue they hosted to better identify Nicole's work colleagues. Also, he discovers that her work emails show reports of missing chemicals. While searching for evidence, Chris recounts how his alcohol addiction eventually led to his aggression towards Nicole. 

Chris suspects one of Nicole's co-workers, Holt Charles, who has discussed the chemical disappearance with Robert Nelson. Chris suspects that Holt may have killed Nicole. He contacts Rob, but instead Holt answers and places the chemical disappearance on Rob. Chris's daughter, Britt, is a social media fanatic, and after reviewing her posts, he finds a stranger who has been hiding in their basement. His neighbour's CCTV footage also reveals Rob exiting the trunk of their car.

Jacqueline Diallo, Chris's partner in the police force, is sent to Rob's house to search for clues. However, the SWAT team find detailed plans for the crafting of a bomb in his shed. 

Fast forward, and Rob has kidnapped Britt and is heading to Mercy Court in a truck full of explosives to seek revenge for his brother's execution, David Webb. The bomb fails to detonate after crashing into the building, causing a network glitch. However, Maddox also experiences a glitch, but is rebooted in time and frees Chris before the trial ends. Jacqueline and Rob are taken away after we learn how she was involved in David's case, ultimately proving that the AI court works.

Rebecca Ferguson - Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Analysis

One word I would use to describe the film is tense. I was left wondering whether Chris would successfully lower his probability of guilt below 92%, all with sweaty hands!

Chris Pratt captured the true emotion of his character in the movie. He was committed to proving his innocence even whilst strapped tightly to an explosive chair with a timer ticking away in his ears. 

The equipment used in the movie: guns, explosives, hover-cars, drones, doorbell cameras and phones highlighted the extent to which technological advancements can capture a human's every move. They were also extremely detailed, with strong sound effects you would expect from something like a gun.

At first, I thought the movie would be quite repetitive in the sense that it would just show Chris strapped to a chair, battling between various screens. However, the cuts between the courtroom and character flashbacks added depth and understanding to the storyline. 

A perfect watch for those seeking a movie full of anticipation and thrill. 

I am excited to be working as a blogger with Devote Radio, creating a ten-part series on a topic of my choice. This series will begin with anticipated cinema watches and my personal favourite movies of 2025 and 2026, even including cartoons. Film fanatics are up for a treat!

This week, we will be diving into an anticipated romance directed by Kristoffer Borgli, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Some of his previously directed films include Dream Scenario and Sick of Myself. 

The Drama really is The Drama!

WARNING - potential spoilers 

Plot

The film begins with the backstory of Charlie Thompson and Emma Harwood, detailing how they later became a happily engaged couple. Charlie met Emma at a Cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States and decided to approach her, seemingly to get close by pretending he had read the book she was reading at the time. She ignored him, but later Charlie approached her again, and Emma explained why she couldn't hear him. She tells him to start his act over again.

The encounter leads to a date, and two years later, marriage plans are approaching for the couple. They have a small dinner with their best man and maid of honour, Mike and Rachel. As the dinner progresses, the group begin asking each other the worst thing they have ever done. Stories unfold, and Emma reveals her dramatic teenage story.

The group prepare for Charlie and Emma's wedding, under friend constraints and awkward behaviour. The couple grow agitated with each other as preparations won't go smoothly. Charlie asks for advice from a coworker at his office named Misha, but later regrets his actions after their encounter turns sideways.

Fast forward to their wedding day, and the awkwardness is still lingering. Emma finds out what happened between Charlie and Misha. But Charlie is determined to power through the wedding plans and recites a forced speech for his partner, ending the day at home with a bloody face after Emma left when the chaos began.

He searches for Emma and eventually ends up at the couple's favourite diner spot. Emma later enters and sits opposite Charlie in a booth. They begin re-introducing themselves in a hopeful plan to start over. 

Emma (Zendaya)

A character who tries her very best to persevere and make things work when faced with difficult situations. She's calm and collected but can be feisty when she wants to. She's a woman who wants her soon-to-be marriage to work out, despite her teenage years. Emma tries to encourage Charlie to forget about her past and her old character by urging him to forgive her and start over. I believe Emma wanted to show how she had changed and transitioned from her teenage years to her adult years, and was no longer the person she was when she was a teen. 

Charlie (Robert Pattinson)

Charlie ignores Emma's lack of humanity, rather so, to be with the so-called love of his life. He had a rather fairy-tale-like perception of Emma, a perfect woman, a perfect marriage, therefore a perfect life. But when he discovers her story, Charlie goes to extreme lengths to continue believing she still is his perfect woman. We see Charlie's behaviour change as the movie progresses; he overthinks and assesses situations even when he aims to seek clarity that Emma is a good person through workplace colleagues.  

Overall

The Drama is a worthy cinema watch for those interested in romances with twists and turns. The flashbacks between Emma and Charlie's past and current encounters made me understand how a story can change the relationship between two people in a matter of time. It is a movie which presents the realities of love and how blinding it can be, even when situations become messy and entangled.