Peacemaker Season 1 (TV Series) | Review

In the wake of a new DC Universe, showrunner James Gunn doesn't just give Peacemaker his own television series– he strips away every layer of toxic masculinity from jingoistic mercenary Chris Smith to reveal the broken child underneath.

What starts as seemingly another superhero comedy quickly evolves into something more psychologically complex. This isn't the same character who provided comic relief in The Suicide Squad, as every ridiculous moment serves his larger redemption story.

The series succeeds by treating its protagonist's xenophobic worldview as a genuine problem requiring real solutions rather than just material for jokes. Gunn understands that healing damaged people makes for better television than simply mocking them.

Every ridiculous moment serves the larger story of a man learning to question everything his white supremacist father taught him. The comedy never undermines the serious examination of how toxic ideology destroys families and perpetuates generational trauma.

Following his recovery from the events of The Suicide Squad movie, Christopher Smith finds himself recruited for Project Butterfly, a black ops mission targeting an alien invasion. His new team includes Amanda Waller's operatives Emilia Harcourt and John Economos, along with NSA agent Leota Adebayo and vigilante Adrian Chase.

The mission forces Smith to confront uncomfortable truths about his past actions and beliefs. As the alien threat escalates, he must choose between his father's poisonous ideology and forming genuine relationships with people he previously would have dismissed.

The show explores themes of trauma, redemption, and whether people can truly change their fundamental nature. Smith's journey becomes a test case for examining if genuine personal growth can overcome decades of indoctrinated hatred and violence.

Gunn takes significant creative liberties with Peacemaker's source material while maintaining his core contradiction– a man who kills for peace. The original comics portrayed Smith as a one-dimensional zealot. This adaptation adds psychological depth by exploring how childhood abuse has eventually led to the creation of this adult monster.

The show respects Peacemaker's visual design and basic motivation while reimagining his potential for growth. Classic elements like costume and weaponry remain intact but added layer of vulnerability make Smith's journey feel authentic rather than predetermined.

John Cena delivers a career-defining work by finding humanity in an inherently unlikable character. He makes Smith's casual bigotry genuinely uncomfortable while maintaining enough sympathy to keep viewers invested in his redemption arc. Cena balances physical comedy with moments of real emotional pain as Peacemaker.

Danielle Brooks brings depth to Leota Adebayo beyond typical exposition delivery. Her moral conflicts feel genuine as she navigates family expectations and personal ethics. Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee provide excellent support as handlers struggling with their own complicity.

Robert Patrick creates a truly despicable villain in Auggie Smith without resorting to cartoonish evil. His portrayal of white supremacist ideology feels disturbingly realistic, making his son's eventual rejection a lot more meaningful.

The visual style balances comic-book aesthetics with grounded realism. Action scenes showcase creative staging without overwhelming character development. The production design makes Evergreen feel like a genuine small town rather than an artificial television set.

Costume design effectively updates Peacemaker's ridiculous helmet and outfit for live-action television production. The alien designs avoid generic monster movie tropes while maintaining genuinely unsettling psychological qualities. Practical effects enhance rather than replace digital work, creating believable supernatural threats.

Color palettes shift effectively between Smith's sterile apartment and the warmer environments where he begins forming connections. The cinematography supports emotional beats without calling attention to itself through unnecessary stylistic flourishes.

The show maintains tonal balance throughout its eight-episode run despite covering significant emotional territory. Episodes successfully blend action, comedy, and character development without undermining serious themes through inappropriate humor.

The pacing allows both plot advancement and character growth. Performance consistency remains strong across all episodes. The main cast delivers reliable work even when scripts demand rapid emotional transitions between comedy and drama.

The series rewards both binge viewing and weekly consumption effectively. Individual episodes contain complete story arcs while building toward season-long character development. Viewers can appreciate immediate payoffs without losing investment in long-term story progression.

Season progression builds naturally toward its climax. Early episodes establish team dynamics and individual motivations. Mid-season installments explore back-stories while advancing the alien invasion plot. The finale delivers a satisfying resolution while setting up opportunities for future character development.

The hair metal soundtrack becomes a character itself, reflecting Smith's arrested development while gradually incorporating more diverse musical choices as he grows emotionally. The opening credits sequence perfectly captures the show's blend of absurdity and sincerity.

Sound effects create visceral impact during fight scenes without becoming gratuitously violent. Each character possesses distinct audio signatures that help establish their unique personalities while environmental audio builds appropriate atmosphere during sequences.

The score supports emotional moments without overwhelming performances. Combat music maintains energy without drowning out character interactions, while quieter scenes receive subtle musical enhancement that amplifies dramatic beats rather than manipulating emotions.

Peacemaker succeeds as both superhero entertainment and genuine character study. Gunn demonstrates that even the most problematic characters can anchor compelling narratives when given proper psychological development. The show proves that addressing real-world issues enhances rather than diminishes comic book storytelling.

The series occasionally stumbles with pacing issues and some supporting character development feels rushed. However, its commitment to examining toxic masculinity and white supremacy through a superhero lens creates something genuinely distinctive.

This represents exactly what spin-off television should accomplish–  taking a minor character and revealing depths that were impossible to explore in their original context. Peacemaker establishes that mature themes and superhero action can coexist when creators understand their responsibility to address contemporary issues.

Peacemaker Season 1 is streaming exclusively on Max. The full season is available with a Max subscription in supported regions. It's not included with Amazon Prime, Disney+ or Netflix but digital purchase options are available on Amazon, Apple TV and Google Play.