A star rating of 4 out of 5.
Despite a challenging summer for comic book movies, James Gunn’s Superman revitalized the flagging DC film universe with positive critical responses and approximately $600 million at the box office – and Peacemaker’s second season continues to celebrate this success.
In The Suicide Squad, created by Gunn and often overlooked, John Cena’s antihero character and his fellow cast members were chosen to be carried forward from the original storyline. Unfortunately, this particular narrative was spread out over several films in 2023, which did not fare well at the box office.
Instead, rather than delve deeply into the mechanics of their reappearance akin to the four-year long speculation over multiverse logic (which the Marvel Cinematic Universe has unfortunately been known for), Peacemaker swiftly ushers in this fresh epoch in just a few moments.
Stepping onto the scene as Guy Gardner, portrayed by Nathan Fillion, and Hawkgirl, brilliantly brought to life by Isabela Merced, instantly infused this season with the essence of Superman’s universe. The subtleties of the evolving DCU canon can be sorted out later; for now, it’s all about immersing ourselves in this thrilling tale.
In the following months, we catch up with Christopher “Peacemaker” Smith once more, a timeframe that follows the occurrences detailed in the initial season. During this period, his team successfully halted an alien bug invasion, creatures whose nature as potential ‘good’ beings could be interpreted differently based on one’s perspective.
The situation is not great as Emilia Harcourt, the previous team leader (Jennifer Holland), has been excluded from the intelligence community. Her colleagues Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) and John Economos (Steve Agee) aren’t doing much better – Leota is struggling with a questionable new business venture, while John finds himself stuck with a dull task.
As a fervent movie enthusiast, I find myself squarely in the line of sight of the formidable ARGUS superior, Rick Flag Senior, portrayed by Frank Grillo. It seems that my past actions have left an indelible mark – I am the one who took his son’s life not too long ago. In a chilling intuition, he believes I’ve been safeguarding a perilous interdimensional gateway within my deceased father’s abode.
In this self-contained universe, Peacemaker encounters a variant of himself who has a more successful life – rest assured, no need to worry! This isn’t just a routine continuation of the series, but rather a launchpad for an intriguing examination of this character that proves to be surprisingly captivating.
Gunn cleverly turns the tables on stories about the multiverse, which have been mostly reduced to bland and unimaginative platforms for famous people’s appearances. Instead, he goes back to the elements that made these tales intriguing from the beginning.
Indeed, there is something deeply thought-provoking about witnessing someone given a glimpse into an alternate life path – one where significant choices and occurrences deviated – that ultimately makes them contemplate the reality they have created for themselves.
Through this lens, it’s a significant and promising idea, rich in possibilities for speculative fiction. Yet, its frequent oversimplification in modern films and TV series can be quite disheartening.
Amidst such a dismal setting, what’s truly astonishing about Peacemaker season 2 is its capacity to tug at our heartstrings. Although it maintains its vulgar dialogue and quirky humor, there are instances in these episodes that resonate deeply with emotion, even amidst the absurdity – a trait Gunn has mastered since Guardians of the Galaxy.
I must say, it’s astonishing to find such a character as the hawkish fellow sporting a silly silver helmet even in the midst of these complex personalities. This just goes to show his unique ability to uncover depth in characters that initially appear one-dimensional. And let’s not forget, John Cena should be credited for his commendable performance in this role, particularly in its more lighthearted and intense scenes.
Although Chris Smith won’t entirely escape consequences, this spin-off will undeniably recall his vile actions from The Suicide Squad and the violent past that led him to Task Force X. By the end of the season, he’ll have to face and deal with those dark aspects of his life.
Adrian Chase, also known as the Vigilante (portrayed by Freddie Stroma), serves as another illustration of this moral balance act. In a straightforward assessment, he appears violent and troubled, yet his genuine affection for the group and his innocent excitement over even the most ordinary activities make it challenging not to feel compassion towards him.
In a more rephrased and easier-to-understand style: Holland’s character evolves into a more serious and troubled state as Harcourt spirals, succumbing to darker inclinations when pushed against a wall. Regrettably, this narrative path takes on some overused elements – including a particularly stereotypical pep talk where she is endearingly called a “train wreck,” which seems rather outdated, reminiscent of 2015.
Adebayo consistently acts as the bond that keeps everyone connected, offering emotional solace to each team member while demonstrating a remarkable level of emotional maturity. Yet, this role seems to somewhat overshadow her own character development, which, after five episodes, appears rather underdeveloped, limited to a mundane startup and an uninteresting breakup. Brooks truly deserves a more engaging narrative arc.
Agree consistently provides comic relief as the grumpy Economos, paired hilariously with newcomer Tim Meadows in their roles. The actress, known for her work in Mean Girls and SNL, seems to be enjoying every moment as the eccentric Langston Fleury from ARGUS. Her quirky nicknames and unexpected vulnerabilities bring plenty of laughter.
Frankly, there are moments when things become oddly exaggerated, and for me, perhaps reducing the screen time of Eagly (the bald eagle pet from Peacemaker) would be beneficial. The character’s background has been expanded to include a bird hunter, which some might find culturally insensitive, portrayed convincingly by the talented Michael Rooker.
Despite its flaws, it’s hard not to appreciate the entertaining Peacemaker. From the opening dance sequence (which I can’t reveal), it offers a heap of enjoyment that skillfully mixes its bizarre delights with substantial character-driven scenes – and many unanticipated turns.
Peacemaker season 2 premieres on Sky Max and NOW on Friday 22nd August 2025.
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2025-08-15 19:40