In the latest episode of James Gunn’s Peacemaker, Season 2, titled “Another Rick Up My Sleeve,” the character Chris Smith, portrayed by John Cena, finds himself in a situation where his violent actions are celebrated rather than condemned. In this instance, Peacemaker brutally eliminates members of the Sons of Liberty, a group labeled as terrorists due to their attacks on government buildings, claiming they are fighting governmental overreach. Instead of facing criticism, he’s met with public cheers and praise for his deadly efficiency.
This isn’t the usual scenario for Chris, who often grapples with the consequences of his violent tendencies. Instead, he exists in an alternate reality, and in this setting, his brother and father are alive, and his romantic interests reciprocate his feelings. Adding to the surreal nature of this world, his actions are seen as heroic rather than sociopathic. This episode solidifies the notion that violence is inherent to Chris’s character, regardless of any proclaimed personal growth or newfound respect for life. When left to his own devices, destruction comes first, and it’s only deemed heroic when directed at perceived “bad guys.”
[Note: Spoilers for “Another Rick Up My Sleeve” are discussed below.]
The episode unfolds with Chris and Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) sharing a seemingly lighthearted moment before chaos erupts. This particular Harcourt, residing in the alternate universe, may have a deeper connection with Chris than the one in his own world. The initial disruption occurs when a member of the Sons of Liberty accidentally detonates a bomb, setting in motion the group’s agenda to systematically target government facilities.
The Sons of Liberty employ desperate tactics, including using hostages, prompting Chris to activate his Peacemaker persona. These terrorists appear to be ordinary individuals, not trained professionals. Regardless, they demonstrate a willingness to kill. They storm the targeted facility, hold a hostage at knifepoint, and strategically place explosives.
Peacemaker’s response is unwavering, employing unrelenting force. He doesn’t attempt negotiations or capture. Instead, he infiltrates the building, eliminating the terrorists with ruthless efficiency, akin to a scene from First Blood.
His assault begins with a dramatic leap through a window, followed by brutal attacks. He uses an axe, a knife, and even office supplies like a printer and pencils to dispatch his enemies in a graphic display of violence.
The violent sequence is not played for comedic effect as previously seen. The brutality is emphasized by director Greg Mottola through dark visuals, extreme close-ups of the gore, and blood splattering across Peacemaker’s face as he decapitates one of his adversaries.
These actions are consistent with Chris’s established character. While he displays moments of empathy and a desire to improve, he ultimately reverts to his default behavior: violence first, questions later. His moral compass is skewed, shaped by the teachings of his white-supremacist father, Auggie (Robert Patrick).
Chris surpasses his father in that he does not share the same racist ideologies or revel in human suffering. However, he’s stuck in a cycle that prevents him from seeing the world beyond absolutes. His upbringing and early exposure to violence have shaped him into someone who seems only semi-aware of his own sociopathic tendencies. His attempts at heroism often involve doing bad things for perceived good. This alternate reality allows him to be seen as a hero, even when committing terrible acts. The praise he receives enables him to feel heroic without the challenging work of personal growth. This “best universe ever” gives him the loving family and romance he has always desired.
This scenario reveals that Chris’s expressions of valuing human life, spoken to Maxwell Lord and the Justice Gang, were not entirely genuine. He’s thrilled to be in a world that rewards him for his disregard for human life. He is a Deadpool-like character, but while Deadpool wants to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris wants to join the Justice Gang so he can be seen as a hero without the difficult work of doing it on his own. He craves a moral compass. While the members of the Justice Gang are flawed, they are still seen as heroes. Chris has grown since The Suicide Squad, but he still prefers being perceived as a hero to actually being one.
To further illustrate the commentary on morality, the episode culminates with Chris’s brother, Keith (David Denman), arriving in a supersuit and executing the remaining terrorists with similar disregard for law and life. Like Chris, he kills the bombers instead of apprehending them. This raises questions about the world’s moral fabric. Has empathy disappeared entirely? Is this a world where Chris can act upon his impulses without restraint? Or will his capacity for empathy ultimately reveal him as a fraud? Will being seen as a hero be more important to Chris than actually being one? It all hinges on what Peacemaker reveals about the motives of the Sons of Liberty and the world they are fighting against.
Peacemaker is streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes released every Thursday until Oct. 9.