Heads of State (2025) Parents Guide

Heads of State is Rated PG-13 by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for sequences of strong violence/action, language and some smoking.

Heads of State (2025) Review:

There’s a certain kind of movie that knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in. Heads of State, directed by Ilya Naishuller, is that kind of film. You’ve got John Cena as the U.S. President, Idris Elba as the British Prime Minister, and both are suddenly yanked out of their comfort zones and thrown into the kind of over-the-top action hijinks that feel straight out of an ’80s buddy cop flick but with a modern political twist.

The Story & What It Tries to Say

The story follows a U.S. President John Cena play by (Will Derringer), a brash, chest-thumping leader who governs like he’s still cutting WWE promos lol, and British Prime Minister Idris Elba play by (Sam Clarke), a dignified, calculated statesman who could deliver a budget report and make it sound like Shakespeare. These two leaders clearly don’t like each other from the movie. Their frosty relationship is well-known on the world stage each throwing subtle and not so subtle jabs in press conferences, interviews, and diplomatic events.

But when the two are forced onto the same private jet for a routine diplomatic summit conference. That jet Hijacked mid-flight. In a moment that feels equal parts Die Hard 2 and Air Force One, a group of mercenaries attempt to assassinate both leaders. Instead of dying in the skies, they survive a fiery crash landing and plot twist they’re now stranded, hunted, and without their security teams.

What follows is a chaotic continent-hopping chase: from a Balkan safehouse that isn’t so safe, to a backdoor MI6 bunker in Lisbon, to a rogue arms deal on a luxury yacht in the Aegean. The men are on the run, out of options, and slowly realizing that the conspiracy goes deeper than either of their intelligence agencies anticipated.

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At the center of this chaos is Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), an elite MI6 agent tasked with getting them out alive but also dealing with the increasingly absurd demands and egos of two world leaders. As they’re hunted across Europe by a shadowy coalition of mercenaries, corrupt diplomats, and high-level traitors, the three slowly uncover a coup aimed at rewriting the global power balance and destroying the “special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K. once and for all.

However, Heads of State is not only about bullets and banter. On the deeper level, it is mocking the insanity of contemporary leadership the manner in which politicians act in front of the cameras, pose to the press, and even forget that the actual leadership does not involve slogans, but actions.

The film mockingly questions the PR machines behind politics and poses a question as to what these men are really made of when the cameras are not rolling.

Does it manage to do so completely in the message? Not entirely. The satire is occasionally lost in the racket of machine-gun shots and one-liners. The motive is present and it adds a slight edge to the film that you would not otherwise expect of a shoot-em-up.

Character And Performance

Chemistry is what makes this movie work, and we are lucky that Cena and Elba have plenty of it.

John Cena plays into his physicality, for sure, but it is his comedic timing that really shines through here. President Derringer is arrogant, boisterous and almost childishly excited by the ability to exert power, but Cena gives him space to be a human being. At times, it is interspersed with instances where you see a desperate man who is desperately attempting to live up to the expectations of his role. Elba, however, is control and composure. Prime Minister Clarke is a man who calculates every move, every phrase, every breath. He’s clearly frustrated by Derringer’s chaos—but also, quietly, a little envious. Watching Elba play straight man to Cena’s chaos is a joy. He gets some of the best dry punchlines in the movie, delivered with his trademark gravitas.

Then there’s Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Noel Bisset. Cool, competent, and not here for nonsense, she plays the real hero of the movie. She’s the anchor between the clashing egos and has more than a few scenes where you wish she were leading the mission. Her presence elevates the film, giving it a sharp edge of credibility even when things get cartoonishly explosive.

The supporting cast is fun, even if underused. Paddy Considine pops in as a sinister former ambassador with too many secrets. Sarah Niles brings steely resolve as a no-nonsense MI6 chief. Jack Quaid has a blink-and-you-miss-it role as a White House aide who is hilariously unprepared for the chaos.

Do the characters evolve? Sort of. There’s a satisfying arc between Cena and Elba—what starts as mutual loathing becomes earned respect. But it’s not Shakespearean. It’s more like: “Hey, maybe you’re not completely awful after all.” And honestly, that’s all the film needs.

Direction, Visuals & Pacing

Director Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry, Nobody) is well versed in staging chaos. He applies his typical manic energy to this one, using creative camera work, stylish cuts, and hyperactive action sequences. The movement is quick, glittery, and even absurd, but in a manner that is obviously deliberate.

Cinematographer Ben Davis gives the images a shiny, almost comic-book appearance. Every setting is different, whether it is the cold, steel blues of a Swiss chalet shoot-out or the golden, sun-drenched mayhem of a speedboat chase on the coast of Greece. You never get tired of watching this film.

The rhythm is uncompromising. It barely has a chance to breathe between one action beat and another. That is a strength and a weakness. On the one hand, the pace is exciting; on the other, some of the emotional touches, particularly those that foreshadow something more, are flattened or rushed over.

Nevertheless, Naishuller has earned a credit to provide a film, which seems as slick as a theatrical release, in spite of being a streaming premiere. He balances on the edge of parody and earnestness and succeeds in maintaining the tone fairly even, in spite of the cascading explosions.

Heads of State (2025) Parents Guide

Violence & Action: This movie is an action-comedy and yes, the action pops. Machine gun fire, punch ups, airplane hijacking and a high speed boat chase that is straight out of a Fast and Furious blooper. There is some punching, kicking, shooting, and people are killed, though in more cartoonish fashion than in a graphic one. There will be bruises, stunts and close escapes to death, but not much blood. It is sometimes intense, but never gratuitous.

The younger audience who have not been accustomed to such chaotic action may be somewhat overwhelmed, particularly at those moments when the action is more frantic. However, it is all done with a wink and a nod, not a gritty trauma-causing movie but more of a popcorn film.

Language: There is also the obligatory dose of PG-13, including some light cussing, some innuendoes, and the sort of frustrated rants that one might expect of two heads of state running about Europe. It is not something totally unacceptable, but it deserves the rating. In the event that you watch it with younger teens, then you can just be ready to experience a couple of scenes that might make you side-eye the room.

Alcohol & Substance Use: the movie content a few scenes where characters are shown drinking usually in high end diplomatic settings or as part of the film’s party lifestyle. There’s nothing central about it, and it never glorifies substance use.

Sexual Content: There’s some flirtation, a bit of implied romantic scene especially with Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s character, and some suggestive jokes but the film avoids explicit content. No nudity, no bedroom scenes. It’s more cheeky than steamy.

Thematic Elements: The movie centers on geopolitical themes, betrayal, government corruption, media, and manipulation but none of it gets particularly heavy or preachy. It’s satire dressed in a bulletproof vest.

Recommended: Ages 13 years old and above.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Heads of State isn’t trying to change your life—but it’s trying to make you laugh, cheer, and maybe (just maybe) think a little about the absurd world of modern power politics. And on those fronts, it succeeds.

It’s a movie that knows exactly what it is: part satire, part shootout, part bromantic action comedy. It doesn’t always land every joke. Some of the emotional turns feel rushed. But damn if it isn’t fun watching Cena and Elba verbally (and physically) spar while dodging bullets.

If you’re into The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Red, or Central Intelligence, this is absolutely in your lane.