Heads of State (2025)
6.916 /10
745 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
The UK Prime Minister and US President have a public rivalry that risks their countries' alliance. But when they become targets of a powerful enemy, they're forced to rely on each other as they go on a wild, multinational run. Allied with Noel, a brilliant MI6 agent, they must find a way to thwart a conspiracy that threatens the free world.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Will Derringer
... Sam Clarke
... Noel Bisset
... Viktor Gradov
... VP Elizabeth Kirk
User reviews
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/heads-of-state-movie-review-a-film-youll-forget-tomorrow-but-enjoy-today/
"Heads of State doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it pretend to. It's an action-comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be - and thanks to the full commitment of its leads, Ilya Naishuller's creative energy, and a light, entertaining tone, it rises above its formulaic script.
John Cena and Idris Elba form an unlikely but absolutely irresistible duo, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shines as a legitimate action star, and Naishuller's inventive vision delivers moments of pure fun. It may not leave a lasting impression, but for nearly two hours, it's a good time.
And sometimes, that's more than enough."
Rating: B
Director:
Writer:
Harrison Query (Story)
Josh Appelbaum (Screenplay)
André Nemec (Screenplay)
Harrison Query (Screenplay)
Release Date:
2025-06-24
Run Time:
117 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
Heads of State
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/heads-of-state-movie-review-a-film-youll-forget-tomorrow-but-enjoy-today/
"Heads of State doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it pretend to. It's an action-comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be - and thanks to the full commitment of its leads, Ilya Naishuller's creative energy, and a light, entertaining tone, it rises above its formulaic script.
John Cena and Idris Elba form an unlikely but absolutely irresistible duo, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shines as a legitimate action star, and Naishuller's inventive vision delivers moments of pure fun. It may not leave a lasting impression, but for nearly two hours, it's a good time.
And sometimes, that's more than enough."
Rating: B
I like Cena, Alba and Hardcore Henry. This is a little long. The action is good but I skipped a lot of dialogue yet didn't miss any of the story.
More Belarusian dancing would have been better than all that banter. In the end, I had emotional investment in the characters and didn't get bored of the action scenes/events.
Barry...I mean Huey makes a great appearance.
"Heads of State" functions as a basic "buddy" team up, comedy action flick but its not without its limitations.
Lets start with the positives. Idris Elba and John Cena are perfect choices for this kind of film. Ones loud, a showman, in the role of the US president. The other's more grounded and somewhat acerbic, as the UK Prime Minister. The interplay between the two works well, moving from mutual disdain, to at times grudging, respect and even friendship, of a kind.
The action is well paced too, it keeps coming with a little mostly light drama, in between, so you can catch your breath.
Now to the downside. They can play this any way they like but its hard not to see elements of pro US/UK political and military propaganda, in operation. NATO are heavily pushed as the "good guys", taking on "bullies". Well tell that to the former Yugoslavia NATO bombed into the ground and ultimately, destroyed. Its unsurprising too, that the "baddies"are portrayed as Russian.
In summary, if you step past the plug for US/UK exceptionalism there is a functional comedy action flick on offer, that's moderately watchable but by no means special.
'Heads of State' holds positives and negatives, for me. For the opening half of the movie, I was not feeling it. It just all felt so plain, stale and quite grating, to be honest. To my surprise, though, it actually improved as it went on. By the end, I think it actually won me over.
One element that was keeping my interest, even amongst the aforementioned slow initial chunk, was the cast. I like Idris Elba, I like John Cena. Therefore, I had just enough in me to keep my eyes on the screen. Their banter is a bit forced, but does become effective eventually.
Priyanka Chopra is pretty good, plenty of satisfactory action from her; that recap edit is amusingly done, to be fair. Jack Quaid's bit is fun, while Paddy Considine, Stephen Root and Carla Gugino are decent actors to compensate for otherwise quite lame characters.
If not for those named, I'd be rating this a lot lower. Still, there are some strong moments and cool shots in there, like the apartment staircase and the lost tooth moment. Annoyingly, there is a fair amount wrong too; for example, the special effects are absolutely not good.
All things considered, by the narrowest of margins, I did find this to be passable action fare. It really ought to have been better, though.
Cast & Crew of
Heads of State
Cast
... Will Derringer
... Sam Clarke
... Noel Bisset
... Viktor Gradov
... VP Elizabeth Kirk
... Arthur Hammond
... Marty Comer
... Simone Bradshaw
... Quincy Harrington
... Sasha the Killer
... Olga the Killer
... The Chef
... Cat Derringer
... Sawyer Derringer
... Jack Gordon
... Belarussian Farmer
... Agent Coop
... Agent Crasson
... Agent Havill
... Agent Jacks
... Agent Cho
... Agent Francis
... Agent Lewis
... Agent Peters
... Echelon Director
... Echelon Analyst
... Echelon Technician
... Buckingham Palace Reporter
... 'Water Cobra' Reporter
... The 'Duchess' Reporter
... Tom the Reporter
... AF1 Flight Attendant
... AF1 Pilot
... AF1 Co-Pilot
... AF1 Navigator
... Chief Comms Officer
... Field Reporter Outside NATO
... Field Reporter on Airfield
... News Anchor
... News Anchor
... White House Correspondent
... Italian Prime Minister
... French Prime Minister
... German Chancellor
... Gopnik Leader
... Fire Gopnik
... Smoking Gopnik
... Barbed Wire Gopnik
... Kid Gopnik
... Border Guard
... Tasered Gangster
... Barista Assassin
... Crate Gun Assassin
... White House Aide
... CIA Briefer
... Marine Colonel
... Hammond's Bodyguard
... Gradov's Sniper
... Gradov's Bodyguard
... Gradov's Bodyguard
... Beast Driver
... NATO Guard
... Polish Cop
... Beach Bar Girl
... Beach Bar Girl
... Beach Bar Girl
... Pub Waitress
... Chuck Todd
... Mario Lopez
... Dan Abrams
... Joshie the Baseball Kid
Crew
... Director
... Editor
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Producer
... Producer
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... "A" Camera Operator
... Steadicam Operator
... Still Photographer
... Stunts
... Stunt Driver
... "A" Camera Operator
... First Assistant "A" Camera
... Supervising Art Director
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Original Music Composer
... Story
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Second Assistant Director
... Production Sound Mixer
... Stunt Coordinator
... Costume Design
... Production Design
... Set Decoration
... Graphic Designer
... Graphic Designer
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Music Coordinator
... Music Supervisor
... Script Supervisor
... Assistant Art Director
... Casting
... Casting
... Unit Production Manager
... First Assistant Director
... First Assistant Director
... Second Assistant Director
... Stunts
... Chief Lighting Technician
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