The modern movie marketing playbook often involves a curious tactic: the stars themselves advising audiences to temper their expectations. It’s a strategy that feels almost directly imported from Bollywood’s past, where films were often pitched as “leave your brains at home” entertainment. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a veteran of both industries, appears to have brought this very mantra to her latest Hollywood venture, Prime Video’s Heads of State. She’s been quoted suggesting it’s merely an “undemanding Friday night watch.” The disheartening truth? It struggles to clear even that remarkably low bar.
Directed by Ilya Naishuller, known for his unique action films like the first-person thriller Hardcore Henry and the surprisingly engaging Nobody, Heads of State follows a familiar pattern: a captivating concept undermined by its execution. This film, regrettably, falls into the growing category of streaming content that feels designed to enter one eye and exit the other, leaving little to no impression in its wake. It features a star-studded cast, including John Cena as the President of the United States and Idris Elba as the British Prime Minister, alongside Chopra Jonas as an MI6 agent whose presence feels uncannily reminiscent of her role in the widely discussed Citadel.
The Baffling Premise and Its Flaws
The core setup for Heads of State sees the POTUS and the British PM caught in a mid-air attack over Belarus. When their plane crashes, they are presumed dead. Enter Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s character, introduced well past the film’s halfway mark, tasked with escorting them to safety. Here’s where the narrative’s first major stumble occurs: for inexplicable reasons, the Prime Minister insists on keeping their survival a secret from the world. This contrivance is never adequately explained, forcing viewers to suspend disbelief to a truly illogical degree, clearly serving only to prolong a story that, otherwise, would wrap up almost immediately.
And so, this unlikely duo – a former movie star now leading the free world, and a seasoned career politician – embark on a bickering, banter-filled journey across the Baltic regions, aiming for Italy where a crucial NATO summit awaits. John Cena leans heavily into his role as the comedic foil, while Idris Elba delivers a surprisingly committed performance as the straight man. One can only imagine how truly unbearable Heads of State would have been had these two talented actors simply phoned it in.
Unconvincing Threats and Lack of a Clear Villain
The film’s decision to withhold the secret of their survival creates a ripple effect of narrative problems. In a world where immediate communication is ubiquitous, the idea of two world leaders being unable to simply “go live” on any social media platform to announce they’re safe stretches credulity to its breaking point. Yet, Heads of State demands this suspension, inviting audiences to passively witness a series of encounters with various antagonists without ever clearly defining who the ultimate villain truly is.
This absence of a singular, compelling adversary proves detrimental. Instead of a cohesive plot, Heads of State feels more like a collection of loosely connected action sequences and forced comedic beats. Paddy Considine, a capable actor, plays an antagonist who appears so infrequently and fleetingly that his presence feels almost an afterthought, much like a character airlifted directly from the patchwork narrative of Citadel.
Production Woes and Generic Aesthetics
Much like its narrative cousin, Citadel – a “mega-budget disaster” that was reportedly creatively overhauled by the Russo brothers and saw its franchise plans curtailed by the new Prime Video leadership – Heads of State bears the unmistakable sheen of a production heavily reliant on green screens. This results in visuals that feel less like real locations and more like digital backdrops, creating a curated, artificial world devoid of genuine texture or grit. The entire film feels overly polished yet strangely soulless, betraying its streaming origins.
The attempts at banter between Cena and Elba, while delivered with effort by the actors, feel similarly manufactured. It’s the kind of humor that appears to have been workshopped by a team of writers desperately churning out variations of the same joke, without any true comedic spark. The result is a bland “mocktail” of wit that fails to land with any real impact.
Superficial Characters and Missed Opportunities
For a film ostensibly about global politics and powerful leaders, Heads of State remarkably manages to avoid any meaningful commentary on the turmoil of the modern world. John Cena’s POTUS, while perhaps superficially “Trumpian” in his non-traditional background, is never explored beyond that. We learn nothing of his policies, his platform, or any deeper conviction. His approach to foreign diplomacy is akin to a promotional junket; attending a G20 summit seems no different from a fan convention like San Diego Comic-Con.
Idris Elba’s Prime Minister is equally ill-defined. While he conveys a sense of responsibility, the only noteworthy detail about his past or character arc is a fleeting romantic relationship – a somewhat reductive, even sexist, characterization. The film offers precious little insight into these characters beyond what they reveal through the immediate ordeal. Even minor details, like Cena’s poorly tailored suits, become noticeable distractions when the plot fails to engross you. Heads of State, in its mediocrity, inadvertently encourages you to pick up your phone, perhaps to order groceries or finally read that bookmarked article.
Making truly “brainless” entertainment used to be an art form. Consider the meticulous care poured into a film like Main Hoon Na, which, despite its fantastical elements, had a clear vision and heart. In stark contrast, Heads of State feels like just another entry in a growing catalog of interchangeable streaming releases, a film whose very narrative compass seems lost in the cinematic mountains.
***
Heads of State
Director – Ilya Naishuller
Cast – Idris Elba, John Cena, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Sarah Niles, Carla Gugino
Rating – 2/5
