If you were hoping ‘Heads of State’ would be a high-octane, no-nonsense action flick with a generous side of chaos and camaraderie, then you have good news. It absolutely delivers and how! Directed by Ilya Naishuller, this adrenaline-laced film leans into the absurdity of its genre with surprising innovation, a solid dose of star power, and just enough emotional grounding to keep you invested. It’s not trying to change the world, and that’s exactly why it works.
John Cena plays an action hero turned President of the United States. On the other hand, Idris Elba is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The duo is thrown together to form an unlikely alliance.
At its core, ‘Heads of State’ is a globe-trotting action comedy featuring unlikely allies thrown into a mission that could potentially save the world. The plot is textbook genre material. There is espionage, backstabbing bureaucrats, political misdirection, but the execution is so unapologetically fun that you’re happy to strap in for the ride. There are sequences so outlandishly inventive that you momentarily forget that the story is one you’ve probably seen before.
The real surprise package here is Priyanka Chopra Jonas. As a fearless operative with little patience for ego-fuelled incompetence, she brings steeliness and swagger in equal measure. In a film that could’ve easily treated its female lead as ornamental, Priyanka holds her ground. She doesn’t just match the energy of her male counterparts; in many scenes, she commands it. There’s something particularly satisfying about watching her play the knight in shining armour while Cena and Elba bicker like children.
Speaking of which, the bromance between John Cena and Idris Elba is the film’s emotional and comedic anchor. Their on-screen chemistry is effortless, and their verbal sparring is sharp without ever feeling forced. Cena, with his knack for self-deprecating humour, and Elba, with his smouldering intensity and perfect deadpan delivery, are a pairing you didn’t know you needed until now. Their dynamic is so enjoyable. So much so that it makes you think it’s almost criminal that this film won’t get a proper theatrical release. It’s tailor-made for the big screen: loud, glossy, and gleefully over-the-top.
The pacing stumbles slightly in the second act, with a few extended sequences that could’ve been trimmed. But given the charisma of its cast and the stylish direction, you don’t really mind spending a bit more time with them.
Visually, ‘Heads of Stat’e is slick, with Naishuller bringing in some of the kinetic flair we saw in ‘Nobody’ (2021). The action choreography, especially in the hand-to-hand combat sequences, is well-crafted and easy to follow.
There’s no attempt here at moral messaging or subtext. ‘Heads of State’ knows exactly what it is, a popcorn flick built on punchlines and punches. And in a time when many action films feel burdened by over-explanation or world-building fatigue, there’s something refreshingly direct about this approach.
As a straight-up action-comedy, ‘Heads of State’ punches above its weight. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfectly entertaining, and sometimes, that’s more than enough. The only real let-down is that this one’s headed straight to streaming. With a cast this magnetic and set pieces this extravagant, it truly deserved the theatrical treatment.
‘Heads of State’ will stream on Prime Video from July 2, 2025.
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3.5 out of 5 stars for ‘Heads of State’.