‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Review: Keeps The Beat While Raising The Stakes

The second season of Peacemaker comes right after the incredible success of Superman, as the next major DCU project led by James Gunn. It’s not hard to see why this choice was made: Peacemaker carries the perfect mix of irreverence and heart that Gunn wants to infuse into this new phase of the DC Universe.

The second season of Peacemaker arrives while keeping what made the first season so special: its characters. The strength of the first year was always in the group’s unlikely and irresistible chemistry, and here James Gunn and his team understand that perfectly. Christopher Smith, played by John Cena, remains the heart and chaos of the series. His mix of silly humor, politically incorrect commentary, and genuinely vulnerable moments makes him a unique protagonist in the superhero landscape. Alongside him, Adebayo, played by Danielle Brooks, continues to serve as a moral and emotional compass, bringing moments of humanity that balance the team’s madness. Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante keeps stealing the scene with his awkward charisma and almost childlike psychopathy, and even though he is a bit sidelined this season, he still delivers the series’ best jokes. John Economos, played by Steve Agee, continues to provide perfect comic relief, especially with the return of Judomaster, portrayed by Nhut Le.

Finally, the character with the most screen prominence, Harcourt, played by Jennifer Holland, maintains her firm and pragmatic stance, functioning as the team’s anchor amidst the chaos, though she remains tough most of the time.

The main storyline of Peacemaker Season 2 sees Peacemaker discovering an alternate world where life is everything he has ever wanted. But this discovery also forces him to confront his traumatic past and take his future into his own hands.

Before anything else, we must talk about the opening of the second season, which is simply spectacular. As a fan of Foxy Shazam, I absolutely loved the use of “Oh, Lord” for this season’s opening.

Peacemaker Season 2 explores the theme of what you want to be in the world and what you would like to represent in it. Chris begins debating the advantages of moving to the other universe, where everyone who loves him still exists, and also a universe where he can stop being a joke and become the true hero he has always dreamed of being.

In this new season, the series also expands its universe with new characters who act as contrasts and catalysts for conflict. Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, brings powerful dramatic tension due to the death of his son at Peacemaker’s hands, while Michael Rooker portrays Red St. Wild, a villain with a direct rivalry against Eagly — something that, absurd as it may seem, fits perfectly with the tone of the series. Speaking of Eagly, Eagly is undoubtedly one of the series’ strongest positives, not only due to the direct confrontation with Red St. Wild but also for having great development compared to the first season.

Beyond physical threats, Peacemaker fully dives into the emotional conflict Christopher Smith faces within his own universe. He finds himself increasingly torn between the role he occupies on Earth, where his reputation is tarnished and his actions are constantly questioned, and the temptation to cross into another dimension — a place where he is celebrated as a true hero. This possibility confronts him with a profound moral dilemma: continue fighting in a world that never forgave him, or embrace an alternate reality where everything he has done is seen as grand. This personal tension adds a rare dramatic weight to a series so irreverent, forcing the character to revisit his choices, his mistakes, and even the meaning of the peace he so often claims to defend.

The second season of Peacemaker not only maintains the great humor, over-the-top action, and the protagonist’s internal drama, but also reaffirms one of the series’ most striking elements: its soundtrack. James Gunn continues to prove he knows how to use music like few others in television and cinema, selecting tracks that not only drive the action but also directly reflect Peacemaker’s emotions and dilemmas. Rock, glam metal, and that dirty, fun 80s sound return with full force, now with a slightly more melancholic touch in some moments, reflecting Chris’s state of mind. Each scene seems choreographed to perfectly match the music’s beat, turning shootouts, dialogues, and even introspective moments into mini music videos with their own narrative.

It’s not just the choice of licensed songs that shines: the original score, with its guitar riffs and punchy beats, creates a unique identity and energy for the Peacemaker universe. Just like in the first season, the songs are never there merely to “fill space” — they become part of the series’ personality, helping bring jokes to life, heighten the emotional weight, and make everything more memorable. Combining niche musical references with catchy hits, Peacemaker once again proves that James Gunn understands that music, when used well, is not just background but an essential part of the narrative — and in this second season, it shines as brightly as the hero himself.

Even though this second season falls below the first in terms of impact and freshness, it is still an extraordinary work from James Gunn, consolidating another important piece in the new DCU and reaffirming his talent for transforming unlikely characters into unforgettable figures, with an impeccable ear for making music tell stories.

Peacemaker Season 2 premieres on HBO Max on August 21.