Movie · 2025 · Action, Thriller, Comedy · 1h 57m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 1.4/10 (189.5K ratings)
Two heads are better than one.
Overview
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.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.4/10
IMDb: 6.4/10
Letterboxd: 2.71/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Metacritic: 57
TMDB: 6.8/10
Director
Ilya Naishuller
Production
The Safran Company, Big Indie Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, Potboiler Productions
Cast
John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine, Carla Gugino, Stephen Root, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle, Aleksandr Kuznetsov, Katrina Durden, Wade Briggs, Clare Foster, Robyn Pennington, Adrian Lukis, Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė, Sharlto Copley, Steven Cree, Huw Novelli, Aled Llyr Thomas
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A loud, glossy action-comedy with enough chemistry, set pieces, and self-aware silliness to work as easy entertainment, but it leans hard on familiar beats and a thin geopolitical plot. Best approached as a breezy star-driven romp rather than a sharp satire or especially memorable thriller.
Best for
Viewers who want a lightweight buddy-action movie
Fans of mismatched-lead banter and globe-trotting escapism
People in the mood for a dumb-fun Friday-night watch
Audiences who enjoy polished action comedy with a 90s throwback feel
Skip if
You want a tightly written thriller
You dislike broad humor and obvious plotting
You need high stakes that feel emotionally grounded
You are tired of formulaic international conspiracy stories
Overview
Heads of State is built on a simple promise: put two charismatic leads in impossible circumstances, let them bicker, and keep the action moving. On that level, it mostly delivers. The movie knows it is silly, and when it commits to the joke, the rhythm is fast enough to carry the weaker stretches.
Worth noting
The appeal is less about suspense than chemistry and momentum. The film plays like a throwback to studio-era action comedies, with a multinational chase structure, broad political satire, and a steady stream of quips. Some of the set pieces land with real energy, and the supporting players help keep the tone buoyant.
Bottom line
Still, the screenplay is the main weak point. The conspiracy is generic, the emotional beats are predictable, and the movie often feels like it is coasting on charm and noise. If that sounds like enough, it is an easy watch; if not, it will probably feel disposable by the end.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Lachlan (2.5★) · 2887 likes
Red, White & Royal Blue for straight people.
Linky (2.5★) · 2298 likes
I'd give Idris Elba head in any state
Bohdan Pankrukhin (3.5★) · 1753 likes
Actually it was funny. I’ll never watch it again but it is a perfect stupid action movie for the evening with your friends.
And Yes, Jack Quaid stole the entire movie
⋆ ˚｡ belis ˚｡⋆ (3.5★) · 1228 likes
it must have been hard for the cast to act alongside someone we can't see!! 🤯
𝐉 (2.5★) · 1203 likes
This is the perfect movie to put on and notice that your dad has been standing off to the side watching for 15-55 minutes before he remembered he was supposed to get something.
2012 · Action, Comedy, Crime · 1h 49m · R · Curator 5.8/10 (1.8M ratings) · Where to watch: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, TNT, TBS, tru TV
A fast, self-aware action comedy that turns genre clichés into the joke without losing pace.