In Heads of State, a global terrorist threat puts the world on the brink of collapse, and its only hope lies in the hands of an unlikely duo: a Prime Minister (Idris Elba) and a former Special Forces operative (John Cena) who must work together despite barely trusting each other. In true buddy movie fashion, their mission takes them through car chases, explosions, political intrigue, and absurd situations — all driven by fast-paced jokes, over-the-top action, and high-voltage charm.

Directed by Ilya Naishuller (Nobody, 2021), the film moves at a relentless pace, filled with stylized action sequences that flirt with cartoon logic. The screenplay, written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), mixes political satire with spy tropes in a way that feels familiar, yet knowingly ridiculous. The plot makes little sense, but the film owns it from the first minute — and that self-awareness is a big part of the fun.

Idris Elba seems to be having a blast, delivering a charismatic, self-aware performance that pokes fun at his tough-guy persona. For many fans, this is the closest we’ll get to seeing him as James Bond — even if it’s as a head of state. His character combines elegance, sarcasm, and brute force, confirming what many already suspected: he would’ve made a great 007. John Cena, meanwhile, sticks to the formula that’s worked so well for him in Peacemaker: a brawny action hero with heart, comic timing, and self-deprecating humor. The chemistry between the two leads is the film’s main engine — literally carrying it in some scenes.

In the supporting cast, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a pleasant surprise. Though she often leans too hard into her femme fatale/action heroine persona, she finds a good balance here, delivering a confident and even humorous performance. Jack Quaid (The Boys) also stands out as a clumsy political aide, helping maintain the balance between political parody and slapstick.

Heads of State was filmed in Atlanta, with additional locations in Washington, D.C., and Morocco. The production faced delays due to the 2023 writers’ strike but resumed with script tweaks and a clear commitment to what the film wanted to be: pure entertainment, free of realism or logic. It’s part of Amazon MGM Studios’ ongoing bet on high-profile streaming blockbusters — and it might just work. Following in the footsteps of Hobbs & Shaw and Red Notice, there’s clearly room for more of this kind of chaos.

Of course, the film isn’t flawless: the script leans on lazy conveniences, its satire is often shallow, and some jokes feel recycled. But overall, Heads of State delivers exactly what it promises: action, laughs, and two stars in top form.

In the end, the world might not survive under these “heads of state,” but we’d gladly watch the mess unfold again. Sequel potential? Maybe. At the very least, it’s a ride worth taking.