User reviews

Predictable straightforward film that's not trying to redefine the genre. John Cena is relentlessly likeable as an out of his depth actor turned politician. Idris Elba puts on a dependably robust performance the best actor in the film by miles but not taking himself too seriously. Priyanka Chopra didn't really add much beyond silly puns but I guess they wanted to try and add a bit of emotional depth to the piece to vary the pace. If you're looking for a light film to watch while playing with your phone on doing the ironing then look no further. It's big. It's brash. It's over the top. And I found it silly but deeply enjoyable.

Probably John Cena's best movie that I have seen. More action than you can beat with a tree trunk you've just pulled out of the ground.

I think the fact that Cena's character is a new president / former action star helps get over what I normally consider his bad acting. Actually works for this, and I really enjoyed the on-screen chemistry between Idris Elba and Cena.

Ignore some of the dodgy effects (not all bad tbh), and well, you're not seeing this for the perfectly written story and Oscar worthy acting are you?

Go in with your eyes open for what it is and it's a highly enjoyable watch at movie.

I really liked this movie, it goes well for a fun and light evening. Lately most comedies were cheap and i couldn't bear to watch most of them till the end, but not this one, i've got a big grin at the end of it.

All 3 main actors done their job and the choices for the British PM (Idris Elba) and for the President (John Cena) were spot on, also had no idea that Priyanka is that good in action movies. Yeah was no John Wick movie, but i wasn t expecting that either, it delivered for a comedy with some(more) action. A plus would be the special effects, nice job for those.

I would watch a follow up storry for this one :)

One of the better Amazon prime films. Great cast who are all on great form. John Cena is just fantastic and Idris Elba shows a comedic ability that has been threatening to emerge for a while. I really hope there is a sequel as it really works. The quality of the production is excellent and hats off to the director. Some great music as well. I really thought I was going to dislike the film but it was quite the opposite. Unusually for me I watched it right through to the credits at the end. For some reason the app seems to want far more words than usual so I am having to finish with this drivel. Oh well.

This is the movie I never knew I needed. John Cena as POTUS? Why not? I like this movie a lot. Is it dumb? Very. After G20, I thought this would be another movie about a highly skilled POTUS saving the world, especially with John Cena in the role, but it's really not. Unlike in his other movies, John Cena is not the tough guy here. Idris Elba is supposed to be given his military background, but the writers are smart enough not to overdo it. Instead the role of badasses are left to those who are supposed to be, the agents and the mercenaries. I like the casting a lot. Even though the story is somewhat generic, the cast members carried it well. It's a very enjoyable, fun movie, and that's what entertainment should be.

Politics aside, I genuinely did not expect this movie to be this good.

The casting is absolutely spot on every actor fits their role like a glove, selling the story without a single weak link.

The writing deserves praise as well, managing to balance sharp humor and clever puns with a storyline that never feels forced or sluggish. There's a clear love for the material that shines through in the smallest details, from the props to the subtle callbacks, showing a real commitment to quality.

The fight choreography is top tier and only gets more impressive as the movie ramps up, evolving from solid to downright spectacular. The gunplay is in a league of its own, easily some of the most inventive and jaw-dropping I've seen in years. As for the vehicular action, it reaches world-class status, delivering creative and satisfying sequences that keep the energy high without ever feeling repetitive.

If there's one area that fell a bit short, it would have to be the special effects, at times they felt merely average, especially considering today's industry standards.

All in all, though, this is an outstanding, silly, and action-packed ride that's absolutely worth your time.

Heads of State is exactly the kind of high-octane nonsense we need more of. Idris Elba smolders, John Cena flexes (mostly his comedic timing), and together they bumble, brawl, and bromance their way through a delightfully chaotic global crisis.

It's as if Air Force One, Rush Hour, and The Thick of It all crash-landed into the same film and miraculously survived. Director Ilya Naishuller keeps the pace brisk and the set pieces bonkers, never letting logic get in the way of a good explosion or a great punchline.

Sure, it's ridiculous. But it knows it. And it leans in with enough charisma, chemistry, and cartoonish diplomacy to make world peace look like something you could actually laugh your way into. Elba and Cena are the unlikely dream ticket you didn't know you were voting for.

Its a fun to watch action comedy. John Cena as the President of US is hilarious. Edris Elba suits his part as the PM of UK. Priyanaka Chopra as the secret agent probably overshines them both in acting. It started of as a really fun movie with some action, but by the second half it turned into an outright action movie. Would have been better if they would have kept the comedy as main theme througout. Overall still a decent watch. I didnt know that John Cena could act that fine. Lots of helicopters, guns, blasts and some decent action sequences. Story had promise but kind of fizzles away after first half. Still a decent watch.

This movie feels 100% like an algorithm made it, I would bet a lot of money that AI came up with a lot of the plot and dialogue.

The exposition is among the worst and laziest I've ever heard. There's every kind of terrible exposition bad screenwriters use as a crutch; convenient tv exposition, kids asking obvious questions, characters telling each other things they both already know , "You're a man who got 83 millions votes..." , "as your oldest friend, I'll tell you...", "remember, we're on a mission right now" etc. At the 30 minute mark they're still doing it. It's remarkable how untalented the writers ARE. They seriously play Sabotage during an action scene, is that like that 100th time a shot film this decade has done that?

The plot is stock and predictable. You can tell who the surprise villain is going to be within 5 minutes. The dialogue, including the "fun banter" is shockingly tame. It's like the worst marvel tv show dialogue.

The lighting is flat and makes every scene look cheap, especially the green screens and SFX. Somehow scenes with obviously no SFX still have a sheen of fakeness.

There's simply nothing special about the music, acting, characters or anything else that makes a moderately decent action movie. John Cena is genuinely a fun actor when he's given good writing like Peace Maker, and Idris Elba needs to fire his agent because he is an Oscar-calibre actor who consistently stars in just the worst dreck. This movie will go in the same digital bin as Red Notice, The Gray Man, G20, or any of the other terrible movie-of-the-week junk they slop out that you've forgotten about.

I went into Heads of State with no huge expectations - just looking for some good action and laughs - and honestly, I came out smiling. This film does exactly what it promises: it entertains. The chemistry between Idris Elba and John Cena is fun to watch. They both bring energy, timing, and their own flavor of comedy and action to the screen.

Yes, the plot is exaggerated and the situations are over the top - but that's the charm. It's a classic action-comedy throwback where the point is not to analyze every twist but to enjoy the ride. The pace doesn't slow down, the action sequences are slick, and the humor lands more often than not.

I especially liked how the movie never tried to take itself too seriously. The characters know they're in a wild situation and they lean into it. It's self-aware in the right ways. Also, the music and editing style keep the energy high throughout.

Some people might try to compare it with other spy-action comedies, but I think this one stands on its own. It may not be a deep or groundbreaking film, but it never pretends to be. It's here for fun, and it delivers exactly that.

If you're in the mood for a lighthearted, fast-paced, and well-acted popcorn flick, Heads of State is worth your time. Just sit back and enjoy.

Doesn't take itself too serious, an enjoyable flick for what it is.

Priyanka looks a great fit for action roles, she stood out the most. John was fun. Idris was charming as ever. Carla Cugino and Jack Quaid also did a great job in their minor roles.

A well-timed theme for today's climate. Unity is a great message.

I feel like they could have gone a bit deeper and darker into the characters, with some more edge and comedic relief to bring the audience up.

Beautiful scenes in Europe

Special FX and stunts did a great job, editing was on point.

Priyanka is a fine actress, will def keep an eye out for her future projects.

I really enjoyed Heads of State. The film strikes a solid balance between comedy and action, blending high stakes thrills with genuinely funny moments. At its core, it's a story about betrayal and unexpected friendship and that emotional thread gives the movie a bit more weight beneath the surface fun.

John Cena and Idris Elba have great on screen chemistry. Their dynamic feels natural, entertaining without being over the top or forced. There are some standout comedic moments but the film never strays too far into silliness. The action scenes are awesome and well executed, adding real energy to the pace.

Overall, Heads of State is a fun engaging ride that delivers both laughs and adrenaline without losing sight of its emotional core.

Heads of State isn't a film that cares much about story - and honestly, it doesn't need to. What it offers instead is fast-paced, over-the-top entertainment with two leads who have great comedic timing. John Cena plays the goofy U. S. president and Idris Elba brings the grumpy British PM energy, and together they carry most of the movie's charm.

There are some genuinely funny scenes, a few ridiculous action set-pieces, and a chaotic tone that somehow works. It knows exactly what it wants to be - fun, light, and loud - and it delivers on that without trying to be anything deeper.

It's not a masterpiece, but as a fun action-comedy for a casual watch? It gets the job done.

A bit formulaic. But fun. Cena and Elba playing Not Tough guys was fun. Jack Quaid as a star-struck fanboy semi-tough guy was also fun.

The story has interesting "Real World" notes. Friends watching friends being an actual issue along with a fictitious(?) "Service" capable of decrypting any digital transmission that, if compromised, represents a significant world-wide threat. It's funny how quickly "Fiction" is becoming reality with reports of "Friendly" nations engaging in espionage against other "Friends" is getting harder and harder to know whom to trust.

And how does Carla Gugino look better now than she did in "Son In Law"?

I rarely write reviews, but every now and then, a film comes along that deserves a few words - and this is definitely one of them.

It had been quite a while since I truly enjoyed a comedy, and even longer since a movie managed to grab me from the beginning and keep me hooked until the very end. This one? I watched it in one go without even thinking of pressing pause.

It's what I'd call a guilty pleasure, in the best sense of the word. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's exactly why it works. It moves along at a great pace, never feels boring, and balances outrageous moments with genuinely funny writing.

John Cena and Idris Elba were an absolute blast to watch - their chemistry was real, sharp, and full of energy. Every scene they shared felt effortless and entertaining.

The movie surprised me - in a time where most comedies feel generic or forced, this one had life, style, and timing.

A fun, fast-paced, no-brain-needed joyride that totally hit the spot.

Solid 8/10 from me.

Another film based on an overused, exhausted concept! I don't even have enough words to finish this review...

Terrible acting, zero logic, poor humour, and a colossal waste of funds on action that serves absolutely no purpose. This is a textbook example of projects sold on the backs of mainstream actors to OTT platforms purely to generate profit for those involved. Meanwhile, viewers are left with a headache, wondering how such rubbish continues to get made again and again.

John Cena and Priyanka Chopra simply can't act to save their lives, yet they somehow keep landing roles in big-budget films.

Unless you're in the mood for a pounding headache, do yourself a favour and stay far away from this disaster.

Heads of State is an extremely silly film. It's not entirely sure if it's a pure comedy or a serious thriller. So tonally at the beginning I wasn't sure what i was in for. Having said that I laughed out loud more than once, lots in fact. I winced at the fight scenes and the really cheesy "let's all put our differences aside" moment. Then i cheered the good guys all the way to the fulfilling Easter egg at the end. I've given it a 9 because I watched it at the right moment and enjoyed it a lot. It's got a good cast with equal opportunities for both the goodies and badies. It's not going to win anyone an Oscar but it will happily fill 117 minutes, so give it a try!

Will Derringer (John Cena) is a major action star who managed to parlay his film stardom to become President of the United States. Following a failed joint MI6-CIA mission to take down notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Gradov (Paddy Constantine), Will flies to England on a diplomatic mission to jointly address the media alongside Prime Minister of Britain Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) who takes a dim view of the showmanship and swagger with which Will carries his office. Following media fallout from the two's barely concealed resentment during a press conference, both their Chiefs of Staff suggest Will host Sam on Air Force One en route to the NATO summit in Trieste, Italy. However, when the plane is overtaken by mercenaries working for Gradov Will and Sam barely escape with their lives and are left stranded in Belarus with the world assuming the two are dead. Stranded in unfriendly territory and with no hope of rescue, Will and Sam must now find their way to the Summit as they dodge Gradov's mercenaries and unravel a conspiracy that will shake the global foundation.

Heads of State is the latest event film for Amazon's streaming service Prime Video produced through Amazon MGM Studios. Amazon acquired the package, described by insiders as Air Force One meets Midnight Run, in October of 2020 as a vehicle for Idris Elba and John Cena with Hardcore Henry and Nobody director Ilya Naishuller coming on board as director. With a proven cast, high concept premise, and a director who specializes in stylized highly kinetic action Heads of State is loaded with promise, even if it only partially delivers on that promise.

In many ways, Heads of State feels very much like a throwback to the days of high concept blockbusters where a high concept premise would be built and sold around an established lead's clout. You think back to the 90s with movies where every other leading lady was either Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock and every other leading man was either Harrison Ford, Bruce Willis, or Mel Gibson and it very much feels like one of those movies from about 20 to 30 years ago that would've come about from that environment. In some ways this does work to the movie's benefit as it is nice to see a movie that isn't overly beholden to burdensome franchise IPs that have long since been exhuasted (creatively if not financially sadly) and for the most part Heads of State does feel quite fun and energized even if I attribute that more to the cast and direction than I do the script. Both John Cena and Idris Elba have good chemistry and comic timing with Cena doing well playing a slightly too happy-go-lucky albeit well-meaning musclehead while Elba is equally good playing an overly uptight but level headed counterpart who scores some good deadpan material in contrast to the more exaggerated style Cena plays with. Despite operating in a larger format than he's used to (and reportedly dealing with reshoots), Naishuller still retains the same playfully violent kinetic charm he cultivated so successfully in Hardcore Henry and Nobody not only with some creatively over the top action beats, but also good placement of the film's soundtrack such as a memorable sequence involving Jack Quaid and the Beastie Boys song Sabotage. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is also good as Noel who serves as a solid straightman/foil to the antics of Will and Sam.

I think the biggest issue that keeps Heads of State from really firing on all cylinders is when it tries to play certain elements for pathos including the central conflict which feels very safe and not all that interesting or provocative. Despite dealing with political figures, Heads of State exists in a weird no man's land where it doesn't actually want to be "too political" in a way that reminded me a bit of that James Garner/Jack Lemmon film My Fellow Americans from 1996 that purposefully sidestepped any real-world political connections, but even that film felt like it took a few more risks than Heads of State even if it had to create an alternate universe of the American political landscape. Naishuller does what he can here but any attempts at playing certain elements seriously just feel very featherweight and only serve to drag down the pacing between the impressive setpieces. The movie also lacks a really good villain as the most prominent one we have in Paddy Considine's Gradov is about as generic as you can make for a movie like this and coupled with a twist villain that the audience will most likely call as soon as they're introduced we really don't have a strong compelling antagonist to face off against our lead characters.

Heads of State is an okay "one-time-watch". While I'd probably recommend checking out Naishuller's prior films like Hardcore Henry or Nobody before this one or even Fight or Flight from earlier this year, there's enough good here that you'll have a good enough time while you're watching it even if it's not quite the sum of its parts.

Surprisingly long movie for a slap stick comedy. Everything about it was awful.

The script is shocking. The required levels of incompetence and Deus ex machina for the story to unfold are off the charts.

The action scenes even manage to be boring, it's spectacular.

The dialogues are terrible. It's a comedy that doesn't take itself seriously, but also it's trying hard to be serious. The result is awful.

The villain is Russian, yet they chose a theater British actor, so he's as credible as if my grandmother were to fight John Wick.

This makes Michael bay movies feel like scorcese classics...

Heads of State is exactly what it sets out to be - a funny, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining buddy action comedy. If you're looking for gritty realism or a nuanced political thriller, you're out of luck. But if you're in the mood for a fun, over the top ride filled with explosions, one liners, and a surprising amount of charm, this hits the spot.

The chemistry between Idris Elba and John Cena works. They bounce off each other brilliantly. Elba's cool intensity pairs perfectly with Cena's goofy bravado, making for a duo that's as watchable as any classic buddy pairing. Their banter keeps the momentum going even when the plot occasionally veers into the ridiculous. Yes, the action is completely unrealistic, but it's choreographed with flair and never takes itself too seriously. The film leans into its absurdity in a way that works. This is the kind of movie you throw on with a takeaway on Saturday night, knowing it'll make you laugh, raise your eyebrows a few times, and send you to bed smiling. It's not a genre-defining masterpiece, but it'll show you a good time!

Like others have said, this was fun. Very watchable. Some standout moments...clever montages in a world of cookie cutter montages. John Cena isn't much of a draw for me, but he was a good fit for the role. I hadn't seen Priyanka is something yet, but I'm pleased to see that she is a legitimately great actress, not just a pretty face. I know we tend to think of action movies as fluff, but to sell them you need some real acting chops along with physical ability (not to mention killer stunt doubles). Idris' acting chops showed, too. In general, the acting quality was up there - even for side actors who had fewer lines yet nonverbal "face time" - and the action stayed interesting. The tone was kind of uneven at times, but better than other flicks that can't figure out what kind of movie they are. All in all worth the watch...but likely a one-time watch. I'll look into other Idris and Priyanka flicks instead.

If you ask me how I would balance action, comedy, and suspense in a movie, I'd say exactly how they did it in Heads of State. I think it's a hilarious action-comedy with many spectacular action scenes. Chases, shootouts, hand-to-hand combat, funny dialogue, and a duo that I never thought would work so well on screen. Good for Idris Elba and especially John Cena, because despite his character still being the slowest-witted, their roles are getting closer to the mix of seriousness and comedy that he truly needs.

A separate point worth praising is the film's editing, as there are a couple of terrific flashback sequences that not only contribute to the film's comedic tone but also serve as another joke in the plot, and one of the best. As for the action, the limo chase is the best.

Anyway, if you want some action entertainment, one that doesn't derive from the hackneyed John Wick genre, for a change, watch Head of State. You'll have a good time.