Cena and Elba Bring the Action-Comedy Firepower in a Slick, Ridiculous, and Surprisingly Timely Global Romp
Streaming exclusively on Prime Video beginning July 2, 2025, Heads of State is a politically charged, high-octane action comedy that feels like it time-traveled straight out of the 1990s—with a few 2025 flourishes. Directed by Ilya Naishuller (Nobody, Hardcore Henry) and written by Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query, the movie stars Idris Elba as gruff UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke and John Cena as flashy U.S. President Will Derringer.
This film review takes a closer look at how Heads of State embraces its bombastic tone and “enemies-to-allies” bromance premise to deliver a breezy, if occasionally bonkers, spectacle. With an all-star supporting cast including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Paddy Considine, the movie blends international intrigue, slapstick humor, and over-the-top action into a popcorn-fueled 113-minute ride.
Genre:Action, Thriller
Political Rivals, Reluctant Partners
In an alternate version of our modern world, Heads of State imagines a scenario where global diplomacy is put on hold while two of the world’s most powerful leaders go on the run. U.S. President Will Derringer (Cena) is a charismatic former action star, now leading with charm, optimism, and catchphrases like “We did it at the box office, now we’ll do it in the Oval Office.” Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Elba) is a no-nonsense veteran politician and former commando, barely hiding his disdain for Derringer’s Hollywood bravado.
When Air Force One is sabotaged mid-flight over Belarus, Clarke and Derringer are forced to parachute to safety and disappear—presumed dead. With a NATO summit at stake and an international conspiracy brewing, the two frenemies must rely on each other to survive ambushes, decode global espionage, and maybe—just maybe—save the free world.
Idris Elba and John Cena Make a Surprisingly Strong Duo
The heart of Heads of State lies in its central pairing. John Cena, continuing his streak of self-aware, muscle-bound goofballs, plays Derringer with the kind of oversized charisma that works best when paired with a foil. Idris Elba, playing it mostly straight as the exasperated and endlessly capable Sam Clarke, delivers the necessary gravity—and sly comic timing—to anchor Cena’s big energy.
Their banter is steady throughout. Clarke scoffs at Derringer’s flair for dramatics; Derringer pokes fun at Clarke’s rigidity. The film’s smartest choice is embracing the absurdity of turning two heads of state into bickering action heroes, complete with training montages, punch-heavy bar fights, and high-speed car chases.
Action That Hits Hard and Often
Director Ilya Naishuller brings his signature flair to the action, leaning into exaggerated choreography and unexpected set pieces. There’s a fantastic sequence involving a reverse-speed limo chase through Warsaw’s narrow streets, a stairwell shootout that plays like a live-action video game level, and more than one moment where logic takes a backseat to spectacle.
The PG-13 rating may restrict some of the more visceral flourishes, but Naishuller makes the most of the limitation, using visual gags, wide-angle absurdity, and music—yes, even the Beastie Boys—to keep things entertaining. Unlike many streaming action flicks that feel flat and artificial, Heads of State has a kinetic sense of space and pacing. Even when the plot stalls, the action keeps the energy alive.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Brings the Heat
Though underused in the middle act, Priyanka Chopra Jonas makes a memorable impression as MI6 agent Noel Bisset, a ghost operative who once shared a past with Clarke. Her introduction, disguised as a travel journalist at Spain’s tomato-throwing festival La Tomatina, ends in a splash of blood and fruit that sets the tone for her part in the film—stylish, sharp, and deadly.
She reemerges in the third act to deliver some of the movie’s most impactful fight scenes, proving that Heads of State isn’t just a boys’ club. Her physical presence and dry wit give the film a much-needed jolt of balance.
A Plot That’s Silly—But Knows It
Let’s be clear: Heads of State doesn’t pretend to be clever. Its geopolitical stakes are a pretext for explosions, its world leaders are essentially cartoon characters, and its villain—a delightfully sinister Paddy Considine—has more growl than substance. But it’s all part of the appeal.
This is a 2025 movie that wears its stupidity proudly. The screenplay flirts with themes of NATO instability, surveillance paranoia, and rogue espionage, but never with any real intention of nuance. Instead, it fully embraces the “big dumb action movie” identity, often breaking into self-referential gags and winking nods to genre clichés.
A Streaming Blockbuster That Feels Theatrical
Though made for Amazon Prime Video, Heads of State feels like a summer multiplex release. That’s thanks in large part to its big-name cast and Ben Davis’s vibrant cinematography, which makes even the silliest action look slick and cinematic. There’s a deliberate effort to avoid the dull, overlit aesthetic that plagues many streaming-only releases.
Steven Price’s score complements the film’s shifting moods—from spy thriller suspense to buddy-comedy buffoonery—while costume designer Jany Temime gives both leaders and agents sleek, standout looks that lean into their personalities (Derringer’s action-star flair vs. Clarke’s polished pragmatism).
Weak Supporting Cast, But the Leads Carry It
Unfortunately, not everyone gets to shine. Carla Gugino as the U.S. Vice President and Jack Quaid as a rogue CIA station chief are largely wasted in roles that don’t stretch beyond exposition or comic relief. Stephen Root pops up in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role that’s oddly forgettable.
Still, the charm of Cena and Elba—and the chemistry between them—keeps the movie afloat. Even when jokes fall flat or plot points make no sense, their onscreen dynamic is compelling enough to keep audiences invested.
Final Verdict – Goofy, Loud, and Exactly What It Wants to Be
Heads of State is not subtle. It’s not realistic. It doesn’t offer deep political commentary. But what it does provide is 113 minutes of slick, bombastic, and oddly satisfying action-comedy chaos. It knows exactly what kind of movie it is—and leans into that identity with total commitment.
For viewers craving a big, dumb, fun movie where two overqualified world leaders bicker, shoot, and stumble their way to saving the world, this film review gives it a full thumbs-up. Sometimes, cinematic diplomacy looks a lot like jumping out of airplanes, dodging bullets, and making snarky remarks about fish and chips.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)