Heads of State

"Two heads are better than one."

2025 1h 57m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 1,164

ActionThrillerComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“Two heads are better than one.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

John Cena
Will Derringer
Idris Elba
Sam Clarke
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Noel Bisset
Paddy Considine
Viktor Gradov
Carla Gugino
VP Elizabeth Kirk
Stephen Root
Arthur Hammond
Jack Quaid
Marty Comer
Sarah Niles
Simone Bradshaw

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ilya Naishuller
Writers: Harrison Query, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

$158M budget — tentpole studio territory.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, shot by Ben Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Steven Price. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tom Harrison-Read shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

John Cena and Idris Elba and Priyanka Chopra Jonas carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Two heads are better than one.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ilya Naishuller directs. Ben Davis behind the camera. Steven Price scores. Tom Harrison-Read cuts. Produced in United States of America, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1$158M budget — tentpole studio territory.
2Released last year.
3International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.
4Directed by Ilya Naishuller, shot by Ben Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Steven Price. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Tom Harrison-Read shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7John Cena and Idris Elba and Priyanka Chopra Jonas carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Two heads are better than one.".
9IMDB entry: tt13357520 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Ben Davis
Original score: Steven Price
Editing: Tom Harrison-Read
Production design: Niall Moroney
Costume design: Jany Temime
VFX supervisor: Raymond Chen
Stunt coordinator: John Street
Runtime: 117 min · 1h 57m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $158,400,000
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Heads of State (2025)

Also by

Ilya Naishuller

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Manuel São Bento2025-06-27
★ 7/10
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/heads-of-state-movie-review-a-film-youll-forget-tomorrow-but-enjoy-today/ "Heads of State doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it pretend to. It's an action-comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be - and thanks to the full commitment of its leads, Ilya Naishuller's creative energy, and a light, entertaining tone, it rises above its formulaic script. John Cena and Idris Elba form an unlikely but absolutely irresistible duo, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shines as a legitimate action star, and Naishuller's inventive vision delivers moments of pure fun. It may not leave a lasting impression, but for nearly two hours, it's a good time. And sometimes, that's more than enough." Rating: B
Chandler Danier2025-07-03
★ 7/10
I like Cena, Alba and Hardcore Henry. This is a little long. The action is good but I skipped a lot of dialogue yet didn't miss any of the story. More Belarusian dancing would have been better than all that banter. In the end, I had emotional investment in the characters and didn't get bored of the action scenes/events. Barry...I mean Huey makes a great appearance.
MovieGuys2025-07-05
★ 6/10
"Heads of State" functions as a basic "buddy" team up, comedy action flick but its not without its limitations. Lets start with the positives. Idris Elba and John Cena are perfect choices for this kind of film. Ones loud, a showman, in the role of the US president. The other's more grounded and somewhat acerbic, as the UK Prime Minister. The interplay between the two works well, moving from mutual disdain, to at times grudging, respect and even friendship, of a kind. The action is well paced too, it keeps coming with a little mostly light drama, in between, so you can catch your breath. Now to the downside. They can play this any way they like but its hard not to see elements of pro US/UK political and military propaganda, in operation. NATO are heavily pushed as the "good guys", taking on "bullies". Well tell that to the former Yugoslavia NATO bombed into the ground and ultimately, destroyed. Its unsurprising too, that the "baddies"are portrayed as Russian. In summary, if you step past the plug for US/UK exceptionalism there is a functional comedy action flick on offer, that's moderately watchable but by no means special.