“Heads of State” (2025) starring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, is a goofy action-comedy that is successful in what it set out to do—giving you an hour or so of entertainment. Directed by Ilya Naishuller of “Nobody” (2021) fame, the film exudes unabashed transparency while embracing its innate silliness. And that is praiseworthy. Elba and Cena, working together after “The Suicide Squad,” elevate the otherwise middling save-the-western-world-from-an-eastern-conspiracy story with their palpable synergy. Then there are some really ‘cool’ cameos to tie everything together.
Let us dissect the ending of the film and how it could potentially set up for further instalments.
Heads of State (2025) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
When the President of the United States, Will Derringer (John Cena), arrives in London to meet the British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba), their entourages are met with grave news. The CIA-MI6 joint venture to nab international weapons manufacturer, Viktor Gradov (Paddy Considine), has gone catastrophically wrong a few hours ago. The leader of the operation, Noel (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), is presumed dead, as are all of her colleagues. From the moment they meet, it is clear that Will and Sam do not see eye to eye on almost all the issues.
Will, a former movie star, is exceedingly popular as a world leader. Sam, on the other hand, is world-weary and not appealing to the new cluster of voters. Will suspects Sam of not respecting him, as Sam once dined with Will’s political opponent. They had fish and chips — something Will cannot let go of. In a bid to repair this fractured relationship between Will and Sam, their respective secretaries, Bradshaw (Sarah Niles) and Quincy (Richard Coyle), suggest that Sam should travel with Will on Air Force One for the upcoming NATO summit in Italy.
However, unbeknownst to all of them, Gradov’s team was able to put a bug in the ‘Echelon’ program of the CIA. This program has a database of all surveillance records and world secrets. Gradov’s computer scientist, Hammond (Stephen Root), installed a program in the system during Noel’s failed operation. All it requires now is to reboot the system once. So, Gradov’s team launches an attack on Air Force One. The heavy artillery firing brings down the plane, with Sam and Will escaping using parachutes, largely thanks to a self-sacrificing member of the President’s security detail.
Before dying, that security detail member informs Will and Sam about a CIA safe house in Warsaw. However, the problem is that the two heads of state land on Belarusian land. While bonding through bickering, Will and Sam hitchhike to Warsaw. Their efforts to remain undetected yield results as a Belarusian pig farmer helps their cause. In the CIA safe house, they meet Marty (Jack Quaid), an eccentric officer who idolizes Will. However, the safe house does not remain safe for long. Gradov’s men attack the place. Marty, while blasting rock music, single-handedly holds them off, allowing the President and Prime Minister to escape. Marty seems to be killed in that effort, while Noel resurfaces and rescues Will and Sam.
Heads of State (2025) Movie Ending Explained:
Why Were Sam and Will Attacked?
As the world assumed Will and Sam to be dead, contingency plans started to kick in. The major one is that Vice President Kirk (Carla Gugino) is sworn in as the new stand-in President. As a result, the Echelon system reboots to grant the new President access. This is what Gradov wanted. As the Echelon system goes under Gradov’s control, he uses the same database to destabilize NATO. The Echelon system has evidence that proves NATO allied countries have conducted interference in each other’s territory, like Italy trying to influence the election in Germany. Gradov’s team publishes all those documents.
As a result, comradeship is replaced by deep mistrust. Countries start clamoring to get out of NATO. Acting President Kirk fruitlessly tries to intervene. The reason for Gradov’s hatred for NATO countries is revealed by Noel. It appears Gradov’s son, a scientific wunderkind, was working on a technology that would stop nuclear reactors from melting down. However, due to some half-baked information, NATO grew suspicious and thought Gradov’s son was making a new weapon. As a result, NATO bombs the research center, killing Gradov’s son. Quite understandably, Gradov wants payback for that.
Who Was the Traitor in the Government?
It becomes quite clear to everyone that someone inside the government helped Gradov take down Air Force One. Initially, Will thought it was Sam’s aide, Quincy. However, when Hammond decides to betray Gradov and help Will and Sam, we learn the insider was someone else. Using Hammond’s computer, Noel and Will find that Bradshaw, Will’s best friend and chief of staff, communicated with Gradov. While evading Gradov and his henchmen, Will, Noel, and Sam reach the summit place, where countries have started to opt out of NATO. Will, thinking Bradshaw is the traitor, calls Kirk.
However, when the people sent by Kirk try to kill Will, it becomes apparent who the traitor is. Vice President Kirk, who always felt America should not be involved in NATO, wanted to kill two birds with one stone. With Will gone, she would have become the President and disbanded NATO. That is why she betrayed her country. As a failsafe, she used Bradshaw’s credentials to communicate with Gradov, ensuring the blame goes to Bradshaw. However, with Noel and Sam’s help, Will manages to foil her plan. They reveal Kirk’s true nature in front of everyone while asking the countries to stay united. They argued that an alliance like NATO is needed to foster friendship and world peace, while noting the flaws of the organization.
Is Gradov Dead?
As Will and Sam convince all the member countries, Kirk goes on a rant about putting America first. However, she is shot dead by Gradov as he attacks the summit. It is to be noted that despite working with Gradov, Kirk tried to kill him a few hours ago. So, once again, Gradov’s wrath is justified. A climactic fight ensues, where Noel takes down most of Gradov’s henchmen — killers who were responsible for her team members’ deaths. Meanwhile, Will and Sam run after Gradov. Just when it seems Gradov will get away, Sam comes up with a strategy that is from one of Will’s blockbuster movies. Sam runs towards Gradov, taking the shot from Gradov’s gun. This gives Will the chance to throw a stone figure towards the helicopter Gradov was using to get away.
The stone figure stops the chopper’s blades, forcing the helicopter to go down with Gradov. It appears Gradov dies. However, the story has multiple instances of its characters cheating death. Both Noel and Sam did it. It will not be surprising to see Gradov surviving that crash so that he can raise his head back up once there is a sequel.
What Does the Mid-Credit Scene Mean? Will There Be a Sequel?
As mentioned before, the film is full of people cheating death. In the mid-credit scene, it is revealed that Marty has survived as well. As he boasts to some disgruntled women, Marty has a metallic plate inside his head. Luckily, the goon’s shot ricocheted off the plate. So, Marty survives, right in time to be recruited by Noel.
“Heads of State” does keep the door open for further instalments, given how all the central characters, including Marty, remain alive. Sam and Noel, who were romantically involved before Sam became a politician, seem to have rekindled their relationship. Sam extends an olive branch to Will by taking him out for a Fish and Chips lunch. As the two heads of state become chums, new threats will likely emerge. Part two? It is more likely than not.
