Here’s what we thought of Heads of State, starring the dynamic trio: John Cena, Idris Elba, and Priyanka Chopra. Read our review!
- Director: Ilya Naishuller
- Star Cast: Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Priyanka Chopra, Idris Elba, John Cena
- Heads of State Review Rating: 3.5 stars*
- Runtime: 95 minutes
- Available On: Prime Video
- Language: English (with subtitles)
- Watch or Not?: Yes!
- What’s Bad: A flawed screenplay, lack of emotional depth, and an underused ensemble cast hinder the film, which loses steam with its all-too-obvious conclusion.
- What’s Good: The combination of standout performances, over-the-top action, and cheeky comedy makes this a thoroughly entertaining ride.
Heads of State delivers crowd-pleasing entertainment, fueled by Cena and Elba’s engaging dynamic and Chopra’s powerful action scenes. Its charm lies in performance and personality, but the film doesn’t prioritize narrative complexity or plot logic.
Set against a backdrop of global politics, the plot features U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) and U.K. Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) locked in a power struggle. Derringer’s celebrity charm clashes with Clarke’s military-rooted pragmatism, resulting in non-stop political fireworks.
The tables turn when Viktor Gradov (Paddy Considine), a Russian arms kingpin, targets both Will and Sam in a deadly bid to dismantle NATO. Forced into an uneasy alliance, the leaders are aided by Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra), a sharp MI6 agent and Clarke’s former love interest, making the mission both personal and political.
Table of Contents
Heads Of State Movie Review: Script Analysis
Ilya Naishuller’s Heads of State delivers both cinematic spectacle and character-driven fun. The film quickly sets up the ideological clash between Cena’s impulsive and flamboyant President Derringer and Elba’s analytical, goal-oriented Clarke.
Their bickering, rooted in both personal style and political philosophy, is laced with self-aware humor and builds a well-executed, entertaining camaraderie.
While Priyanka Chopra doesn’t deliver the same emotional gravity in Heads of State, her performance as the no-nonsense Bisset—with glimpses of inner softness—is still entertaining. The film’s witty references and Cena-Elba rivalry bring humor, but the lack of emotional depth and a sometimes illogical plot diminish its overall impact.
In Heads of State, Priyanka Chopra plays the tough MI6 agent Noel Bisset with conviction, though her character lacks emotional layers. The film’s entertainment largely comes from its quick wit and the Cena-Elba duo’s comic timing. However, its impact is reduced by a weak emotional core and narrative inconsistencies.
A number of subplots strain credibility—especially scenes where the world’s most powerful leaders are easily targeted and NATO appears riddled with breaches. These narrative inconsistencies are hard to ignore, though the film’s humor and action manage to offer a distraction from its flaws.
Heads Of State Movie Review: Star Performance
There’s never a dull moment when John Cena is on screen—his take on Will Derringer is loud, comedic, and thoroughly enjoyable. Most of the film’s humor rests on his shoulders, and he delivers.
Elba, meanwhile, plays Sam Clarke with restrained intensity and dry wit, making his character’s mix of mockery and moral compass particularly effective.
While Priyanka Chopra approaches her role with confidence, uneven writing and minimal character progression limit her overall impact. Similarly, supporting actors like Paddy Considine, Jack Quaid, and Carla Gugino do justice to their parts, but the script doesn’t offer them the space to truly develop.
Heads Of State Movie Review: Direction, Music
In Heads of State, Naishuller delivers a lively mix of humor and action. The film’s strength lies in its dynamic sequences, though the climax borders on melodramatic excess. Still, the consistently entertaining tone helps balance out the minor narrative dips.
Heads Of State Movie Review: Final Verdict
With its mix of laughs and explosive action, Heads of State, dropping on Prime Video July 2, 2025, is an ideal weekend watch.
Heads Of State Trailer
Heads of State is slated to premiere on July 2, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video
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Manoj Patel is a senior video journalist who has a degree in Mass Communication. He has a rich experience in editing videos and writing stories on different platforms.
