John Cena’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Thriller Is Far Better Than His Recent Movies

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John Cena has been in a lot of movies lately, but his recent sci-fi series on HBOMax is still his best work. HBOMax clearly isn’t afraid to take risks with expensive projects. They’re already planning a costly reboot of Harry Potter, and their show House of the Dragon – a spin-off from Game of Thrones – had a record-breaking budget when it first premiered.

The success of House of the Dragon season 3 shows that taking risks can be worthwhile for HBO Max. However, the streaming service also released Velma in 2023, a poorly received and graphic reboot of Scooby-Doo that ended up among the lowest-rated shows ever. This meant there was some concern that their new John Cena series – another dark and violent take on a generally family-friendly franchise – might also fail.

James Gunn’s series Peacemaker was a big hit, running for two successful seasons. The show is a dark and funny take on the superhero genre, similar to The Boys. It centers around John Cena’s character, Chris Smith—also known as Peacemaker—who audiences first met in the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. In season one, Peacemaker is forced to work with a secret ops team called “Project Butterfly” to track down alien parasites, alongside Danielle Brooks’ character, Leota Adebayo. The second season takes a different turn, placing him in a reality where he’s a celebrated hero.

Peacemaker Is Far Better Than John Cena’s Recent Movie Releases

Peacemaker is a fiercely nationalistic and aggressive character who believes in achieving peace at any cost. This allows him to brutally attack both civilians and criminals, a behavior he picked up from his father, the white supremacist villain known as White Dragon. John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker isn’t a typical superhero role; it demands a complex performance showcasing his full acting ability. Cena skillfully reveals the tragic vulnerability hidden within this monstrous character, and also finds moments of dark comedy in Peacemaker’s overbearing personality.

It might be unexpected for those familiar with John Cena’s recent films, as it’s been a while since he’s chosen roles that showcase his comedic talent. Cena was a breakout comedic star in the 2010s with memorable supporting roles in films like Trainwreck, Sisters, and Blockers, but he hasn’t consistently found that same success since then. Recent films like Argylle, Ricky Stanicky, and the Vacation Friends series suggest he’s been having trouble finding the right roles to establish himself as a leading man.

John Cena’s Movie Struggles Highlight An Awkward Reality

John Cena’s role in Peacemaker is a great fit for his career because the character—an over-the-top, self-proclaimed hero— playfully mirrors Cena’s own beginnings as a larger-than-life wrestling icon. Unlike his previous comedic roles in films like Ricky Stanicky and Vacation Friends, which weren’t well-received, and his attempts to combine comedy and action in movies like Freelance, Argylle, and Jackpot, which also didn’t quite succeed, Peacemaker feels like a natural fit.

While Idris Elba’s upcoming film Heads of State is performing better than John Cena’s recent work, he still seems to struggle finding roles that showcase his strengths beyond playing a version of himself. A good strategy might be to focus on projects that combine dramatic acting with humor and action, similar to James Gunn’s style.

I was really surprised by Peacemaker – it’s hilarious, but also genuinely moving. The show doesn’t shy away from how broken and flawed the main character is. John Cena does an amazing job making you feel for someone who, on paper, seems completely unlikeable. Honestly, he’s so good at portraying this complex antihero that I really hope to see him take on more dramatic roles like this one; it proves he’s capable of much more than just action and comedy!

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2026-06-17 05:14