Peacemaker Season 2 Review: A Fun Ride Full Of Gags And Twists, But Not Perfect

James Gunn’s Peacemaker was one of the biggest surprises to come out of DC’s streaming lineup when it first aired. The first season mixed irreverent humour, heartfelt character moments, a healthy dash of gore, and genuine pathos in a way few superhero shows manage. It was crass, funny, violent, and surprisingly emotional. I loved it.

With season two, Gunn and his team have doubled down on what worked, delivering another highly entertaining batch of episodes. Yet while it’s a great ride, it also feels less like a conclusion and more like a stepping stone to whatever comes next in Gunn’s new DC universe. More on that in a second.

The characters remain a highlight

One of the strongest aspects of Peacemaker has always been its cast. John Cena continues to impress as Christopher Smith, managing to balance the absurdity of the character with genuine vulnerability. In my opinion, he is up there with Dave Bautista in the acting-wrestler category I just made up.

Cena has transformed Peacemaker from a one-note joke in The Suicide Squad into one of the most complex and oddly endearing antiheroes on television. Season two reminds us why Cena was such a perfect choice. He’s hilarious, unpredictable, and, when the moment calls for it, surprisingly emotional.

The supporting cast once again shines. Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo, Jennifer Holland as Harcourt, and Steve Agee as Economos continue to bring heart and humour to the show. They get some great lines and scenes, although I would have liked more from Economos.

In season one, I absolutely loved Freddie Stroma’s Adrian Chase – aka Vigilante – and while he does return, he’s sidelined more than expected this time around. It’s a shame, because his unhinged but strangely innocent energy added so much to the earlier episodes. Season two gives him some great moments, but he’s clearly playing second fiddle to other plotlines and characters. He’s still a lot of fun though.

On a more positive note, Eagly, Peacemaker’s loyal bald eagle, gets more screen time and absolutely shines as a character in his own right. The visual effects team has done an incredible job making Eagly both expressive and believable, and his scenes are consistently entertaining. It’s not often that a CGI animal can generate genuine laughs, but Eagly’s blend of loyalty, viciousness and comic timing make it a fun member of the team.

I enjoyed Peacemaker season two – the ending was understandable but a bit disappointing

Season two’s story is enjoyable, but it’s also clear that much of it exists to position the characters for future projects. Gunn has said as much in interviews, so I guess I should have expected it. This season was about putting people in place for what’s coming next. It wraps things up just enough to satisfy, (me anyway,) but leaves several threads dangling for, presumably, future movies and tv shows.

The introduction of Earth X provides a nice twist, even for comic fans familiar with DC’s multiverse. (Although I did read somewhere that Gunn was surprised how quickly fans guessed where Peacemaker was.) At first, it feels like a straightforward “what if” storyline, but the reveal caught me off guard. I don’t read much DC though, so experiences may vary. I thought it was well done and pretty funny.

Nicholas Hoult’s appearance as Lex Luthor is another highlight. Everyone knew there would be cameos and it is always a pleasure to see Hoult. He brings a fresh take on the classic villain – intelligent, calculating, and charismatic. It’s a small role, but it hints at a wider world that Peacemaker is clearly helping to establish. In many ways, this season feels like the connective tissue between The Suicide Squad and the next wave of DC projects under Gunn’s supervision.

That connective nature is both a strength and a weakness. As part of a larger universe, the show succeeds brilliantly. It’s entertaining, character-driven, and packed with references that tease what’s ahead. But as a self-contained story, I didn’t think season two landed as powerfully as the first. It doesn’t have that same emotional arc that season one did with Peacemaker confronting his father and his own morality. Instead, I felt it was more about movement and setup.

Still, there’s plenty to enjoy. The humour remains sharp, the soundtrack is as gloriously over-the-top as ever, and the action scenes are tightly choreographed.

What does all this bode for the future?

Gunn has already confirmed there won’t be a Peacemaker season three. It was in an interview or a tweet or something. That may sound disappointing, but he also made it clear that we haven’t seen the last of these characters. Given the hints scattered throughout this season and the abandoned plans for a Waller series, it’s entirely possible that we’ll see a new show inspired by Checkmate, a shadowy government organisation from the comics often linked to Amanda Waller. If that’s the case, season two’s slightly abrupt ending might make more sense in hindsight. I really hope so, they are a fun team.

Chris Smith ending up stuck in Salvation feels like a neutral note to end on. It’s neither triumphant nor tragic, just ambiguous enough to leave room for more. Whether or not that “more” comes in another series or film remains to be seen, but Gunn’s track record suggests we haven’t heard the last from this crew. Again, I really hope so, I want more of these guys.

Overall, Peacemaker season two is a worthy follow-up. It’s funny, violent, heartfelt, and full of personality. It may not tie everything up neatly, but it successfully keeps the flame alive for a show that deserves to continue in some form. Fans of the first season will find plenty to enjoy and endlessly to speculate about, while waiting to see how things pan out.