The Independent

I'm not even eight minutes into this movie, and they've given John Cena some kind of soliloquy as a presidential candidate. His smirky face and is absolutely horrible delivery of lines makes me want to turn this movie off right away. John Cena is a horrible actor.

He's actually good in the wrestling ring when he delivers what they call "promos" in the wrestling world. He has passion, grit, and what he calls "ruthless aggression:. It makes for good TV and good face against heel tension. But as an actor in any movie I've seen him in, it's been a disaster. He's not even good at action movies. The only movie I ever liked him in was Amy's Schumer's Trainwreck. That's because Judd Apatow cast him correctly for comic relief of an empty headed muscleman.

I really enjoyed 90% of the movie. It had some powerful acting and an interesting storyline. However, John Cena should never have been cast. I like the guy and think he's incredibly talented in what he's good at but for this part it's a resounding no. The female candidate was also a bit iffy which is a shame to the rest of an outstanding ensemble. It's movies like this that make me really frustrated. It must be clear to the director, other actors, producers, post production etc. That it didn't work but they went ahead with it anyway. When a company knows talent like Jodie Turner-Smith and Brian Cox, how can they accept second rate performances from others? Either do it right or not at all.

The film manages to build slowly but every key event and dialogue is rushed. Totally lacking credibility. Dialogue and scrip are atrocious. By the end you could not care less about any character, strangely all dislikeable, just delight the movie finished. This film does not manage even to be another passe politcal thriller. It feels like a bad B movie.

Rest assured it has nothing to say on politics or current events. John Cena as presidential candidate Sterling is a particular hard to watch. Too long in the gym, not long enough in acting school I would suggest. Jodie Turner-Smith could also work on her likeability factor. Very one dimensional. Avoid.

I'm a bit shocked to see a film with some major actors go this under the radar, but here we are. I mostly enjoyed this film. Yes, it rehashes a lot of political thriller tropes, however it updates some for the time. Brian Cox remains an absolute powerhouse of a performer and the film excels when he is on screen. The rest of cast does a fine job and I don't understand the criticism of Cena. He showed on Peacemaker that he has dramatic chops and I thought he did well for what the role asked of him. The story isn't too original, but it remains reasonably compelling until the end. For a direct to Peacock film, I was pleasantly surprised.

Not sure why this is getting so much hate in the reviews on here. It's a clever little political thriller with enough twists to keep you interested. It's well acted - Brian Cox is always great and John Cena shows yet another side to his expanding acting range - he's just getting better and better with everything he's in. (Not sure Peacemaker can be topped for sheer brilliance though).

Jodie Turner Smith starts off a little wooden but grows into the role as the film goes on, though this may well simply be the journey that her character is on, growing in knowledge and confidence over the course of the film.

An enjoyable and diverting movie, great stuff.