‘Heads of State’: A Promising Action Flick Almost Ruined by John Cena

Idris Elba, Jack Quaid, and an Indian beauty wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat.

President Will Derringer (John Cena, L) and British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) get out of a tight spot, in "Heads of State." Amazon Prime/MovieStillsDB

PG-13 | 1h 56m | Comedy, Drama, Action | 2025

While it might be obvious, the not-so-secret recipe for success in the “mismatched buddy action comedy” subgenre is casting oil alongside water. A jokester and a straight man. Emotional and intellectual opposites. Based on these criteria, Idris Elba and John Cena are a perfect mismatch.