Gunn Doubles Down: ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Brings Cena Back With Outstanding Reviews

John Cena’s DC antihero is returning to HBO Max, and critics are already weighing in. Season 2 of Peacemaker is set to premiere on Thursday, August 21, and early reviews suggest the show is off to a strong start.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the new season currently holds a near perfect 98 percent score based on 40 reviews. Although Warner Bros. only provided the media with the first five episodes, leaving the final three under wraps until later this year, critics appear impressed. The studio seems determined to protect big story reveals, but that has not slowed down the show’s strong reception.

The new season picks up after the events of Superman, which reintroduced audiences to Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, and hinted at the use of pocket dimensions. That might explain why DC Studios rushed the digital release for that movie, which is still in theaters. The Superman storyline now connects directly to John Cena’s Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, who finds himself in conflict with A.R.G.U.S. while exploring new forms of multiverse technology. Rejected by the Justice Gang, the character sets out to redefine his purpose. Along the way, he is expected to clash with an alternate version of himself and continue his uneasy bond with his core team.

Reviews describe this season as continuing the mix of violent action and irreverent humor while also digging deeper into Peacemaker’s personal struggles. MovieWeb praised the new direction, writing, “James Gunn remains true to form in a second season of Peacemaker that doubles down on the carnage, raunchy shenanigans and a struggling hero’s desperate search for belonging while expanding the series to shape his nascent DC Universe in the aftermath of Superman.”

The cast includes returning actors Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick. New additions include Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, and Tim Meadows. Fans can also expect guest appearances from Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord.

Season 2 will follow Peacemaker as he discovers a world where life aligns with everything he has wanted, but that discovery forces him to revisit his past and make difficult choices about his future. It premieres on HBO Max tomorrow in the US and Friday in the UK, with new episodes dropping weekly.

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