Get set for some 80s-style buddy action! John Cena and Idris Elba star as rival leaders in Heads of State, an action-comedy that's more bromance than White House.
Cena plays Will Derringer, the optimistic US President (a former action hero), while Elba is his no-nonsense UK Prime Minister, Sam Clarke. When a diplomatic mission goes south, they’re forced to join forces to thwart a global threat. The plot kicks off with an assassination attempt, strands them in Belarus, and leaves them to save NATO – and their countries’ “special relationship.”
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These two have chemistry, with Cena joking he’s “gym‑strong” but no martial arts expert, while Elba balances the grumpy straight man against Cena’s sunny optimism. Director Ilya Naishuller wanted a fusion of laughs and action, aiming for Lethal Weapon vibes, and the duo even stepped in as executive producers alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who shines as MI6 agent Noel Bisset.
Reviews are mixed—at about 60% on Rotten Tomatoes—but critics say it’s easy, entertaining summer fare driven by the leads’ banter. Cena and Elba bring enough charm to keep things ticking, even if the geopolitical backdrop feels a bit sketchy.
So – Heads of State is on Prime Video. Think high-octane action, cheeky diplomacy, and that classic buddy-cop energy, all wrapped up in a political thriller with a punch.
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