Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Heads of State isn't terrible—it's just aggressively okay. The premise has potential: imagine the U.S. President and U.K. Prime Minister forced into a buddy-cop situation against international baddies. But the execution is standard-issue action-comedy that won't surprise anyone who's seen, well, any action-comedy from the past two decades.

The reviews tell the story: 68% on RT (critics were polite), 69% audience score (viewers shrugged), 6.4 on IMDb (meh), and a particularly damning 2.7/5 on Letterboxd where film nerds hang out. It's the kind of movie you put on when you're folding laundry and want something that won't demand your full attention.

For families, it's fine for 14+ kids who like action movies, but don't expect it to become a go-to rewatch or inspire much beyond 'that was okay, I guess.' There are better action-comedies out there, but if this is already queued up on Prime Video and you've exhausted other options, you won't hate yourself for watching it. Just don't expect to remember it next month.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ based on action violence and likely language. Adults might find it serviceable background viewing, but nobody's going to remember this one next week. Teens 14-17 are the sweet spot if they're into generic action-comedies.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

58

Action-comedy with a buddy-cop vibe between world leaders. Common Sense Media rates it 14+, suggesting some language and moderate action violence. The premise of cooperation between allies is positive, but the genre typically includes cynicism, profanity, and chaotic pacing. No deep character modeling of kindness beyond standard buddy-film tropes.

Imaginative

42

Fairly generic action-comedy premise—'two leaders must team up to stop bad guys' is well-trodden territory. The international intrigue angle offers some novelty, but reviews suggest standard execution. Letterboxd's 2.7/5 and Metacritic's 57 point to a paint-by-numbers thriller that doesn't push creative boundaries or inspire much curiosity.

Safe

62

Rated for 14+ by Common Sense Media, indicating action violence, likely some profanity, and possibly brief mature content. For its target teen/adult audience, these are expected elements—no major surprise content. However, it's an action-thriller with foreign adversaries and likely gunfights/explosions, so not appropriate for younger viewers who might stumble upon it. Standard action-movie safety profile.

Enriching

48

Limited enrichment value beyond basic entertainment. May offer surface-level insights into international diplomacy and geopolitics, but as an action-comedy, it prioritizes laughs and explosions over meaningful commentary. The 'enemies must cooperate' theme has some merit, but mixed-to-middling reviews (68% RT critics, 6.4 IMDb) suggest it doesn't deliver memorable takeaways or skill-building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Decent popcorn entertainment if you're looking for something mindless on a Friday night
The premise of world leaders forced to work together has comedic potential
Action sequences are competent enough to keep teens and adults mildly engaged
68% on Rotten Tomatoes means it's not actively painful to watch

⚠

What to Watch For

Action violence including gunfights and explosions—standard for the genre but not for younger kids
Likely profanity and adult humor throughout (14+ rating suggests this)
Pretty forgettable—don't expect this to spark deep conversations or become a family favorite
The Letterboxd 2.7/5 is... not great. This is firmly in 'eh, it's fine' territory

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it would actually be like if world leaders had to go on a mission together?"
"The movie shows them trusting each other—do you think countries' leaders really cooperate like that?"
"What would you do differently if you were trying to stop a global conspiracy?"
"Did the action scenes feel realistic or over-the-top to you?"

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