Mercy

Running time: N/A

A naked woman is found dead in her apartment-the second in a series of ritualistic killings. On the scene is homicide detective Catherine Palmer (Ellen Barkin), a recent widow, whose colleagues reject her talent as an investigator. It isn't long before Catherine meets the dead woman's friend, Vickie (Peta Wilson), and discovers the existence of a group of executive women whose after hours activities involve a collage of masks, whips and chains. By murder number three, the investigation leads to Dr. Broussard (Julian Sands), a psychiatrist with obviously more than a professional relationship with a few of his patients. His involvement sends Catherine further down a spiral as she finds herself attracted not only more to Vickie but also to the all-consuming world she has entered. It is this whirlwind of emotions that Catherine must now battle to find the killer. Producer Amedeo Ursini's four-year dream to bring David L. Lindsey's best-selling psychosexual thriller to the screen is superbly and carefully crafted under the direction of Damian Harris. Through an extraordinary collaboration, including an exquisite cast lead by Ellen Barkin, Mercy is not simply a taut, psychological mystery, but also a haunting view of damaged people who need our compassion. --Mike Rabehl