Heads of State Review: Explosions and Exhaustion

In an age where global politics often feel like farce and reality TV stars somehow find themselves in positions of power, Heads of State arrives with a premise that seems ripe for sharp satire and raucous action comedy. Directed by Ilya Naishuller (Nobody), the film brings together an ensemble led by John Cena and Idris Elba in what promises to be a globe-trotting, odd-couple buddy movie wrapped in espionage theatrics. Unfortunately, despite flashes of potential and a few solid laughs, the movie squanders much of its star power and narrative ambition on tonal inconsistency, flat character work, and a story that ultimately bites off more than it can chew.

Political Parody Meets Action Cliché:

The premise—a bickering U.S. President and British Prime Minister forced into a deadly survival mission after Air Force One is attacked—sets the stage for what should be an engaging blend of The In-Laws and 24. John Cena plays President Will Derringer, a former action movie star thrust into the real world of diplomacy, while Idris Elba is Sam Clarke, a straight-laced and highly competent Prime Minister who quickly grows tired of Derringer’s brash attitude. Their friction is the central comedic engine of the film, but the gags are inconsistent and often lean too heavily on cliché culture clash humor.

The film does score a few points early on with its self-awareness. There’s a tongue-in-cheek quality to how the movie handles global politics, especially in its opening scenes featuring media blowouts and public gaffes. Unfortunately, the tone shifts dramatically after the Air Force One takedown. What follows is an increasingly convoluted journey across Europe involving betrayals, hackers, secret agents, and high-speed chases that never quite mesh with the initial comedic framing.

A Tonal Tug-of-War:

Naishuller, known for kinetic set-pieces and stylish action direction, certainly brings energy to the table. Several of the action scenes—particularly a tense train sequence and a chaotic chase through Trieste—are well-staged and visually engaging. But they exist in a vacuum, rarely enhancing the story or deepening the stakes. The film constantly veers between goofy buddy comedy, grim espionage thriller, and slick action blockbuster, but never commits fully to any one of those identities. As a result, the tonal tug-of-war undercuts both the tension and the humor.

This genre confusion is especially felt in the script (co-written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec), which struggles to balance its absurd plot developments with genuine emotional beats. The backstory between Clarke and MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) feels undercooked, as does the reveal of the true antagonist, which lands with a dull thud rather than a sharp twist. When the film tries to pivot into sincerity—especially in its late-stage redemption arcs and political grandstanding—it feels unearned and jarring.

Star Power Misfired:

John Cena and Idris Elba, both proven comedic and action talents, do their best with the material. Cena plays to type as the swaggering, slightly clueless alpha, while Elba leans into his trademark intensity. Their chemistry has occasional sparks, especially when the script allows them to banter freely without being bogged down by exposition. However, the film rarely gives them the breathing room needed to develop their dynamic beyond surface-level bickering and reluctant camaraderie.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas fares a bit better as Noel Bisset, the MI6 agent caught between loyalty and duty. She brings a level of gravitas that helps ground some of the more ridiculous moments. Jack Quaid, as CIA tech officer Marty Comer, injects some brief levity into the film’s early scenes, though he’s sidelined for much of the runtime. Paddy Considine, as arms dealer Viktor Gradov, plays the villain with a muted menace, but his motivations and threat level remain nebulous, making him more of a plot device than a compelling antagonist.

Glossy Surface, Hollow Core:

As for its visuals, Heads of State delivers the expected blockbuster polish. The globetrotting settings—Spain, Belarus, Poland, Croatia, and Italy—are handsomely shot, giving the film an international sheen that recalls recent Mission: Impossible and Kingsman entries. The cinematography by Ben Davis is competent, and Steven Price‘s score adds a few memorable beats to the chaos.

Yet beneath this glossy surface, the film lacks substance. Its satirical opportunities—mocking the cult of personality, poking fun at surveillance-state paranoia, or dissecting transatlantic political egos—are largely ignored in favor of low-effort slapstick and action tropes. There’s an attempt to weave in a message about unity, trust, and global cooperation, but it’s lost amid the explosions and plot twists.

Even the climactic scenes, which should feel cathartic after all the betrayals and chases, arrive more like contractual obligations than satisfying conclusions. The resolution, while tying up narrative loose ends, does little to leave a lasting impression or elevate the film’s central themes.

Overall:

Heads of State had all the ingredients to be a winning summer crowd-pleaser: A-listers in absurd roles, a genre-hopping premise, and a globe-hopping adventure full of gunfire and quips. But the final product is an overlong, underwritten muddle that never quite figures out what kind of film it wants to be. Neither sharp enough to function as political satire nor tight enough to succeed as an action caper, the movie finds itself stuck in a middle ground of mediocrity.

There are fleeting moments of enjoyment, especially for fans of Cena and Elba’s on-screen charisma. A few action beats pop, and the production values are certainly theatrical. But these brief bursts of entertainment aren’t enough to salvage a film that ultimately feels more like a missed opportunity than a hit. Heads of State is a political action comedy that talks a big game but fumbles both its punchlines and its punches.