HEADS OF STATE
(director: Ilya Naishuller; screenwriters: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Harrison Query; story: Harrison Query; cinematographer: Ben Davis; editor: Tom Harrison-Read; music: Steven Price; cast: Idris Elba (Sam Clarke), John Cena (Will Derringer), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Noel Bisset), Carla Gugino (VP Elizabeth Kirk), Jack Quaid (Marty Comer), Stephen Root (Arthur Hammond), Sarah Niles (Simone Bradshaw), Richard Coyle (Quincy Harrington), Paddy Considine (Viktor Gradov); Runtime: 113; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Peter Safran, John Rickard; Amazon MGM Studio; 2025-in English, Polish, Belarusian)
“A corny thriller that’s more fit for cable than theaters.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Ilya Naishuller (“Nobody”/”Hardcore Henry”) directs this formulaic thriller about America’s president and the Brit’s prime minister as they become feuding partners after a terrorist attack over a security breach. It’s haphazardly scripted by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query. The film packs star power, but its story misses the mark as both a satire and as a fresh action comedy. Its over-the-top political attempt lacks much punch or freshness.
The charismatic and idealistic Will Derringer (John Cena), a former action film star, is the popular American president. His political experience is challenged by world leaders, that includes one of his fiercest foes, Britain’s crusty prime minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba).
The two unfriendly leaders share a flight to Poland aboard Air Force One when the plane is attacked by weapons-dealing assassins. The leaders are stranded in Belarus and presumed dead. The American vice president Kirk (Carla Gugino) is sworn in, as Derringer and Clarke must find a way to work together to get out of this jam.
They’re aided by the Brit intelligence agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), as the world faces a possible collapse because of terrorism she calmly comes to the rescue of the leaders so they can reach in time an important NATO conference in Italy.
The film peaks as Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” kicks in, and the weakly developed characters make dumb jokes and are involved in cheesy action pic moves against the evildoers in this absurd sequence.
It flounders as a corny thriller that’s more fit for cable than theaters.
REVIEWED ON 7/7/2025 GRADE: C+
dennisschwartzreviews.com