Mercury Rising
Performance & Direction: Mercury Rising Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Mercury Rising (1998) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Mercury Rising features a noteworthy lineup led by Bruce Willis . Supported by the likes of Alec Baldwin and Miko Hughes , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Mercury Rising (1998) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Mercury Rising
Quick Plot Summary: Mercury Rising is a Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. Renegade FBI agent Art Jeffries protects a nine-year-old autistic boy who has cracked the government's new "unbreakable" code. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it. This approach calls everyone and everything into question as the plot unfolds.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: Mercury Rising
Ending Breakdown: Mercury Rising concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Mercury Rising reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Mercury Rising Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Mercury Rising incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, crime, drama, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Mercury Rising adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Mercury Rising?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: Mercury Rising
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $93.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Mercury Rising Budget
The estimated production budget for Mercury Rising is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Mercury Rising
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Mercury Rising Online?
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Apple TV StoreMercury Rising Parents Guide & Age Rating
1998 AdvisoryWondering about Mercury Rising age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Mercury Rising is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, Mercury Rising is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1998 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercury Rising worth watching?
Mercury Rising is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Mercury Rising parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Mercury Rising identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Mercury Rising?
The total duration of Mercury Rising is 111 minutes, which is approximately 1h 51m long.
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Critic Reviews for Mercury Rising
I'd have to admit that at the start - however politically incorrect it is to say - I though that the mix of Bruce Willis as an independently minded FBI agent and Miko Hughes ("Simon") as a boy genius with very loud, and annoying, autism was going to be a difficult film to sit through. Luckily, the initial in-your-face character establishment settles down and the somewhat preposterous plot takes over quite quickly. The US Government runs a competition to see whether anyone can decipher it's supposedly unbreakable "Mercury" code and young Mr. Hughes is genuinely convincing as the young lad who can break it just by looking at the thing. When he calls in to claim his prize, all hell breaks loose and soon he and Willis are dodging the NSA and the FBI as they try to get to the bottom of this rather far-fetched, but entertaining conspiracy. This is of those films that reminds you why Willis became a star in the first place; he was never the greatest actor to take to the big screen, but he has bags of charisma and here he uses it to full effect. He and his charge bond well - given the youngster has precious little salient dialogue; and it is action-packed enough to pass the two hours in a satisfactory way. I am never sure why Alec Baldwin is cast at all - he is really a terribly wooden actor, though here he is given a run for his money by the equally stolid Chi McBride as Willis' FBI chum. It's nowhere near as bad as some people seem to think...
Two of my favorite actors and once again shows that if you have a great story you don't need special effects! This was an amazing movie, emotional and what movie making is all about. Great job!
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
