Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 Review: John Cena’s Antihero Returns with a Bang
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The buzz around the recently-released Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 is electric, with John Cena’s unhinged antihero crashing back onto HBO Max in a premiere that’s wild, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud chaotic.
Dropped on August 21, 2025, “The Ties That Grind” kicks off the second season with a bloody, irreverent romp that sets the tone for James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe (DCU).
Critics and fans are raving about its mix of gory action, sharp humor, and surprising emotional depth, while social media posts light up with reactions to its multiversal twists and Eagly’s antics.
In this Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 review roundup, we are diving into the reactions, unpack the premiere’s highs and lows, and see why this episode is stealing the spotlight.
Highlights:
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97% based on 38 critic reviews, Certified Fresh.
Premiere Date: August 21, 2025, on HBO Max; August 22 in the UK on Sky Max.
Episode Title: “The Ties That Grind,” directed and written by James Gunn.
Key Cast: John Cena (Peacemaker), Danielle Brooks (Adebayo), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.).
Reception: Praised for humor, action, and heart; some note a slower pace.
DCU Integration: Retcons Season 1’s Justice League cameo, ties to Superman (2025).
What’s Driving the Hype for the Premiere?
The episode throws viewers into Chris Smith’s chaotic world a month after Superman (2025), with Cena delivering a performance that critics like Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue call “better than ever.”
The story pits Peacemaker against Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), who’s out for blood over his son’s death in The Suicide Squad. A multiversal twist introduces an alternate Peacemaker, sparking buzz on X, with users like @syriangeekvibes calling it “a total blast.”
The action is relentless, with MovieWeb praising “brutal, creative fight scenes” that include Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) mowing down foes. Eagly’s subplot, featuring Michael Rooker’s Red St. Wild, adds a hilarious layer, though some X users like
@NikkoCaruso found the supporting cast’s humor “cringy” compared to Cena’s standout delivery.
The premiere’s new opening dance sequence, set to Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord,” has divided fans. TechRadar’s Tom Power initially wasn’t sold but admitted it grew on him, a sentiment echoed across X posts.
With a 40-minute runtime and a TV-MA rating, the episode balances gore with character moments, earning praise from TheWrap for being “surprisingly humane.”
How Does It Connect to the DCU?
A key talking point is how the episode bridges the old DCEU to Gunn’s new DCU. A cheeky “previously on” segment retcons Season 1’s Justice League cameo, replacing it with a Justice Gang scene that ties to Superman’s events. Critics at Empire Magazine call it “an early jewel” in the DCU, with posts on X like @heyitsjennalynn praising its “seamless” integration.
Gunn’s clarification that the multiverse isn’t the focus—despite a Quantum Unfolding Chamber plotline—keeps the story grounded, as noted by GamesRadar+. The episode’s Certified Fresh 97% Rotten Tomatoes score edges out Season 1’s 93%, though AwardsWatch’s Ryan McQuade notes it’s “slightly less sharp” due to its quieter start.
Key Details | Information |
Episode Title | The Ties That Grind |
Release Date | August 21, 2025 (US); August 22, 2025 (UK) |
Rotten Tomatoes Score | 97% (38 reviews, Certified Fresh) |
Director/Writer | James Gunn |
Main Cast | John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Frank Grillo |
Runtime | ~40 minutes, TV-MA |
Key Themes | Multiverse, redemption, found family, DCU continuity |
Viewer Sentiment | Mostly positive; lauded for action and heart, mixed on pacing |
Why Are Fans and Critics Raving About the Heart?
Beyond the blood and banter, the episode digs into Chris Smith’s emotional turmoil. TV Fanatic praises Cena for nailing Peacemaker’s struggle to be a “real hero” after Adebayo exposed her mother in Season 1.
The 11th Street Kids—Harcourt, Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), and Vigilante (Freddie Stroma)—face their own demons, creating a found-family vibe that Black Girl Nerds calls “heartwarming.” Posts on X, like @PSSMKR’s 7/10 rating, highlight Chris’s rejection-fueled arc, though some, like TV Fanatic, note the slower pace might not satisfy action junkies.
Rolling Stone compares it to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, blending melodrama with humor in a way that resonates.
Is the Premiere a Game-Changer for the DCU?
While ComicBookMovie.com’s Josh Wilding finds it “more of the same” with less multiversal innovation, most critics disagree, with Paste Magazine calling it “more character-driven” than Season 1.
The post-credits gag, a Gunn staple, has X users hyped for weekly drops through October 9, 2025. Men’s Journal notes that only the first five episodes were screened for press, building anticipation for “major twists” in the final three.
With strong word-of-mouth and a killer soundtrack, the premiere cements Peacemaker as a DCU cornerstone, even if a few fans on X felt the supporting cast didn’t quite match Cena’s energy.
Some Closing Thoughts: A Chaotic, Heartfelt Start to Season 2
The Peacemaker Season 2 premiere is a bloody, funny, and surprisingly touching return for one of DC’s wildest heroes.
With Cena firing on all cylinders, a tight DCU connection, and enough twists to keep fans guessing, “The Ties That Grind” proves Gunn’s vision is a winning bet.
Stream it now on HBO Max, and get ready for a weekly ride that’s as messy and lovable as Peacemaker himself.
