‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Review: A Sweet and Saucy Return for John Cena

Following The Suicide Squad, it was an incredibly difficult task to get the general audience to care about a character like Peacemaker. However, James Gunn masterfully pulls this off in the first season, with an incredible performance from John Cena, an exhilarating story, and a cast of supporting characters that humanize a world filled with Gods and Monsters. While the performances from the entirety of the cast are up to par with the first season, the stakes in Peacemaker Season 2 don’t compare to the previous adventure.

Although the storyline isn’t quite as exciting, the series makes up for it with character development. Both Chris and Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) find themselves struggling with an addiction to a feeling that’s no longer present in their lives. Despite having just saved the world from an apocalyptic threat, Peacemaker, Harcourt, John Economos (Steve Agee), and Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) are all stuck trying to climb out of the hole they dug themselves when Adebayo revealed all of Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) secrets. Peacemaker Season 2 is at its best when all of these characters are working together, though much of the time is spent with them trying to crawl out of rock bottom on their own.

John Cena Makes ‘Peacemaker’ Must-Watch Television

There weren’t many people who expected John Cena to have serious acting chops when he forayed from wrestling to acting, but he continues to prove his talent in Peacemaker. His comedic abilities have been on full display for many years with a plethora of ridiculously goofy bits. However, in both the first season of Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad, Cena tapped into emotionally charged performances that prove he belongs in Hollywood as more than just a jester. This trend continues in Peacemaker Season 2, as Christopher Smith wrestles with brand-new troubles and temptations.

Although Eagly (Dee Bradley Baker) may be the character with the most prevalent arc outside of Peacemaker himself, it’s Jennifer Holland’s performance as a broken-down Emilia Harcourt that stands out in Peacemaker Season 2. James Gunn introduces a previously unknown aspect of her backstory to her character, which both enhances her story and complicates her relationships. Holland plays the emotional journey to perfection, all the while kicking a whole bunch of a--.

‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Sets Up an Epic Conclusion

Most of the shortcomings in the newest season of Peacemaker could potentially be made up for in the final three episodes. Although the story isn’t quite as gripping as the previous season, the first five episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 effectively set up the characters’ emotional arcs while also laying the groundwork for an epic conclusion.

John Cena’s performance as the titular character is undoubtedly the highlight of the series, but the integration of Peacemaker into the DCU certainly keeps his future brighter than ever. In comparison to other James Gunn projects, the first five episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 don’t rank near the top of the list. However, it remains top-tier superhero content and a must-watch television series each week.

The first of eight episodes in Peacemaker Season 2 debuts August 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO Max in the USA and Crave in Canada, followed by one new episode weekly through October 9.

'Peacemaker' Season 2 Review

3.5/5 Total Score

The Good

• John Cena continues to show off his acting chops with a wonderful performance as Peacemaker.
• Jennifer Holland is incredible journeying through Harcourt's hardships.
• James Gunn's comedy is raunchier and more outrageous than ever before.
• The stages are set for an epic final three episodes.

The Bad

• The stakes are nowhere near as high as the first season.
• The team spends a lot less time together in Season 2 while on their own emotional journeys.