The film centers around a nine-year-old autistic boy named Simon Lynch (played by Miko Hughes), who inadvertently cracks a top-secret government code known as “Mercury” while playing with a puzzle magazine. Unbeknownst to him, the code is a sophisticated encryption system used by the National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive information.
When the code is compromised, rogue elements within the NSA, led by Deputy Director of Operations Nicholas Kudrow (played by Alec Baldwin), orchestrate a cover-up by ordering the assassination of Simon and his parents to prevent them from exposing the breach. However, FBI agent Art Jeffries (played by Bruce Willis) intervenes and manages to save Simon from the hitmen sent to kill him.
Realizing that Simon is in grave danger, Agent Jeffries takes him into protective custody and embarks on a desperate race against time to uncover the truth behind the Mercury code and the conspiracy within the NSA. Along the way, they form an unlikely bond as Jeffries learns to communicate with Simon and gain his trust.
As they evade capture and dodge assassination attempts, Jeffries and Simon uncover evidence of Kudrow’s involvement in the conspiracy and his ruthless efforts to cover up the truth at any cost. They also enlist the help of a sympathetic NSA analyst named Tommy Jordan (played by Chi McBride), who becomes an ally in their fight against corruption.
In a climactic showdown, Jeffries confronts Kudrow and his henchmen in a final battle to expose the truth and bring them to justice. With the help of Simon’s unique abilities and his own resourcefulness, Jeffries manages to outsmart his adversaries and thwart their plans, ultimately saving Simon’s life and preventing a national security crisis.
In the end, Kudrow is arrested and exposed for his crimes, while Jeffries and Simon emerge as heroes for their role in uncovering the conspiracy and protecting national security. Although the ordeal has taken its toll on them both, they find solace in their newfound friendship and the knowledge that they have made the world a safer place.
“Mercury Rising” is praised for its thrilling action sequences, suspenseful plot, and strong performances, particularly from Bruce Willis and Miko Hughes. It’s a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores themes of government corruption, moral ambiguity, and the bond between unlikely allies in the face of adversity.