This week’s Prime Video movie selections are an odd assortment, but they cover several eras and genres. It features a classic thriller from the ’90s, a hidden comedy gem from the 2010s, and even a star-studded sci-fi film that just left theaters. With such a wide array of movies, the latest Prime Video picks have something for everyone.
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Bernie (2011)
Jack Black is one of the most popular comedy actors of the past three decades, but Bernie is a hidden gem in his blockbuster filmography. Black stars as the title character, an eccentric mortician in a small town who is accused of murdering a rich old woman that nobody liked. Richard Linklater’s cult classic is the definition of dark comedy.
Besides its humor and stellar performances, Bernie is even more fascinating because it’s based on a true story. The light mockumentary elements add a metatextual layer to the humor, but it has conventional laughs too. 15 years after its release, Bernie deserves a spot near the top of the list of Jack Black’s best performances.
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Payback (1999)
Mel Gibson was one of the box office kings of the 1990s, and his 1999 crime thriller is worthy of a revisit all these years later. In Payback, Gibson stars as a thief who is betrayed by his partner, who vows brutal revenge against those that wronged him. It’s a straightforward thrill ride with plenty of glossy Hollywood action.
While it may not be very original, Payback is a nostalgic look back at mainstream cinema at the turn of the millennium. It’s blunt, cynical, and deliciously ’90s, and that’s why it’s a charming streaming pick on Prime Video. It’s part of the great tradition of revenge thrillers that we still see today in movies like John Wick.
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Mercy (2026)
Prime Video snatched up Mercy right after its theatrical release, and the sci-fi flick is already hitting the streaming charts. Chris Pratt stars as a man on trial for the murder of his wife, who has 90 minutes to convince an AI program that he is innocent. It co-stars Rebecca Ferguson as the AI judge who must decide the case.
Though it’s as nuanced as an atomic bomb, Mercy is a fun popcorn movie. It hearkens back to the days when mid-level sci-fi films were common, and certainly should have done better at the box office. Prime Video users will get a kick out of it, and it’s a decent way to spend 100 minutes.
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Bernie
- Release Date
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April 27, 2012
- Runtime
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99 minutes
- Writers
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Skip Hollandsworth
- Producers
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David McFadzean, Ginger Sledge, Jack Gilardi Jr., Liz Glotzer, Martin Shafer, Matt Williams, William T. Conway, Celine Rattray, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne, Michael Bassick
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