Heads of State is a globe-trotting action-comedy that came out on Prime Video on July 2, 2025. Ilya Naishuller, who is known for his kinetic and stylized films like Hardcore Henry and Nobody, directed it. Idris Elba plays UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke, John Cena plays U.S. President Will Derringer, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays MI6 agent Noel Bisset. The movie makes fun of its ridiculous premise with a mix of action, buddy-comedy banter, and a little bit of political satire. It doesn’t try to be deep enough to win an Oscar, but it’s a fun movie that people will enjoy because of the charm of the main characters and the well-choreographed set pieces. The movie has gotten mixed but mostly good reviews, with a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 57/100 score on Metacritic. Here’s a closer look at Heads of State to see if it’s worth your time to stream.
Plot: A Crazy Trip Through a Worldwide Plot
Heads of State is about two world leaders who don’t get along: Sam Clarke (Elba), a seasoned British politician and former soldier, and Will Derringer (Cena), a former action movie star who is now the U.S. President. His biggest claim to fame is the fictional Water Cobra franchise. Their public feud, which hurts the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the UK, takes a back seat when Viktor Gradov, a Russian arms dealer, plans a terrorist attack that shoots down Air Force One, leaving the two stuck in Belarus. They have to work together, and MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Chopra Jonas) joins them to stop a global conspiracy that threatens NATO and the free world. The plot follows their international misadventures, which include avoiding assassins, stealing cars, and dealing with betrayals, all while fighting like an odd couple in a classic ’80s buddy movie.
Harrison Query, Josh Appelbaum, and André Nemec wrote the story, which isn’t very original. Some critics have said that it is too predictable and uses too many action-movie clichés. Others have said that its over-the-top situations are “flat-out insulting to the viewer’s intelligence.” The movie’s self-aware silliness is part of what makes it so charming; it doesn’t try to be a serious political thriller. It reminds me of movies like Lethal Weapon or Tango & Cash, which put entertainment ahead of realism.
Elba, Cena, and Chopra all did great jobs. Jonas Shine
The cast is the best thing about the movie. Idris Elba gives Sam Clarke depth and dry humor. He plays the straight man with a grumpy, reluctant charm that makes his friendship with Cena’s character feel earned. As Will Derringer, John Cena steals the show with his sharp timing and lovable “meathead energy.” People have compared his role as a celebrity-turned-president, complete with cheesy one-liners and a knack for high-fiving himself, to Schwarzenegger’s larger-than-life roles. However, some reviews say that his character’s dialogue isn’t funny enough to really work.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas does a great job as Noel Bisset, a tough MI6 agent who can handle herself in violent action scenes. Some critics say this is her best Hollywood performance yet, even better than her work in Quantico. Her high-energy fight scenes, especially the opening scene at Spain’s La Tomatina festival, show off her physicality and screen presence. However, some reviews say her role is too simple and they wish there was more to it than just puns and punches.
The supporting cast adds flavor. Jack Quaid’s CIA agent Marty Comer steals scenes with his funny timing, and Paddy Considine plays a villain who is fine but not very interesting. Carla Gugino and Sarah Niles also do a great job in smaller roles as the U.S. Vice President and a presidential aide, respectively, keeping things grounded with their understated skills. Stephen Root’s role as a conflicted tech expert, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be used to its full potential because of clumsy exposition.
Action and Direction: Naishuller’s Kinetic Flair Director Ilya Naishuller brings his trademark high-energy style to Heads of State, making the action scenes the film’s backbone. The set pieces are slick, creative, and sometimes jaw-dropping, like a shootout in a Polish safe house or a high-speed chase in a bulletproof limo called “The Beast.” The fight choreography gets better and better, and the gunplay and car stunts are praised for being creative. However, some critics say that the special effects are “merely average” compared to what is common in the industry. The first part of La Tomatina, which mixes tomato-splattered chaos with bloodshed, is a visual highlight that sets the tone for the movie’s mix of violence and silliness.
Naishuller’s direction plays up the film’s funny side with quick-cut montages and sly references to ’90s action movies, like when a chase scene stops to show nuns crossing themselves, which is a funny nod to Roger Moore-era Bond movies. But the jokes don’t always work, and slapstick gags like characters accidentally setting themselves on fire don’t always work as well as the sharper banter between Elba and Cena. Ben Davis is in charge of the editing and cinematography, which keep the comic book feel and the energy high. However, some green-screen scenes and flat lighting make the production value lower in some places.
Reception: Some Fun, Some Problems
Heads of State has gotten mixed reviews. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 71% based on 102 reviews and a Metacritic score of 57/100, which means it was “mixed or average.” Fans of the movie like its “stupid fun” and “fizzy, kid-friendly” throwback feel, and they say it’s better than action comedies from the 1980s and 1990s. People on X agree, calling it “the best streaming action film” and “aggressively pro-NATO” fun, which is perfect for a movie night with friends.
But critics say the plot is too thin and the tone is inconsistent. IGN says the movie has “middling slapstick humor and poor attempts at witty banter” that don’t really make you laugh. The Indian Express was harsher, saying it was “like Main Hoon Na with a bigger budget” and calling it “brainless fare that goes right past your brain and leaks out of your ears.” Some reviews are disappointed that the story doesn’t have a political edge, especially since it is based on the current tensions between the US and the UK. The Hindu even says it is “nonchalant” about the current global order.
Tone and Themes: Silly Satire or Missed Chance?
The movie teases political satire by making fun of America’s obsession with celebrity culture (Cena’s president is a clear nod to figures like Schwarzenegger or Trump) and British elitism, but it doesn’t go all the way and make political statements. Some viewers like this restraint because it keeps the focus on entertainment. One IMDb user said it was “shocking” but refreshing to see an action movie that wasn’t political. Others, on the other hand, want it to be more like Armando Iannucci’s The Thick of It in terms of satire to give its geopolitical setting more bite.
At its heart, Heads of State is about unexpected friendships and alliances between countries, all wrapped up in a message of institutional continuity. The emotional thread of Clarke and Derringer’s growing relationship isn’t deep, but it adds just enough heart to make the chaos more interesting. The movie’s self-aware tone, which acknowledges how silly it is, helps it avoid criticism of its implausible plot. This makes it a “perfect summer movie” for people who want to escape reality.
Final Decision: Is It Worth the Popcorn?
Heads of State is a flawed but undeniably fun action-comedy that plays to its stars’ strengths and gives you the high-octane nonsense it promises. Even though the humor doesn’t always work and the plot feels like a rehash of better ’90s movies, Elba and Cena’s chemistry and Chopra Jonas’s badassery make for a fun ride. It’s not the best movie ever, but it’s a good choice for a Friday night with friends, some beers, and low expectations. Variety said, “It’s not any sillier than big-studio superhero fare,” and its theatrical-level energy makes it one of Prime Video’s best originals.
Three out of five stars A guilty pleasure that you can throw away as soon as you enjoy it. You can stream it on Prime Video for some mindless action and charm, but don’t expect it to stick in your mind.
