Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry, Nobody) cooks up another funny, action-packed popcorn flick. John Cena stars as Will Derringer, former action movie star and newly elected U.S. president. His British counterpart, more serious-minded Sam Clarke (Idris Elba), doesn’t much care for the preening president, but when they both narrowly survive an assassination attempt aboard Air Force One on the way to a NATO summit, they’re forced to work together.
After parachuting to safety, they make their way to CIA agent Marty Comer (Jack Quaid) just in time for another assassination attempt, but with the help of MI6 Senior Agent Noelle Bisset (Priyanka Chopra), they escape. Lots of gun battles, fights, explosions, and chases follow, and Naishuller’s direction keeps the action propulsive. Now they need to figure out who betrayed them and reach the NATO summit before the alliance is dissolved.
Despite the mayhem, this is a lighthearted affair examining geopolitics and two very different men who learn to appreciate one another. Its impressive cast also includes Paddy Considine as a Russian arms dealer, Stephen Root as a computer hacker, Carla Gugino as U.S. Vice President Elizabeth Kirk, and Sharlto Copley as Bisset’s CIA counterpart. Totally worth a look for action fans. (113 min.)
—Glen Starkey
This article appears in Jul 24 – Aug 3, 2025.