This past Thursday, Peacemaker premiered its first three episodes to positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The show, a direct follow-up to The Suicide Squad, follows the title character as he avoids returning to jail by joining a secretive government mission.
The show features an ensemble of compelling characters who elevate the already absurd material into new levels of hilarity; because the actors know exactly what type of show they're doing, they go all-in on the ridiculousness of it all. And although every character on Peacemaker is entertaining, some are simply funny while others are outright hilarious.
Auggie Smith/White Dragon
Fan-favorite actor Robert Patrick joins the DCEU as August "Auggie" Smith, Peacemaker's racist, sexist, homophobic, and bigoted father. Auggie taught Chris everything he knows but considers him somewhat of a disappointment. Smith goes to jail after Operation Butterfly blames him for Peacemaker's actions in episode two, but things take an unexpected turn when his inmates kneel before him, proclaiming, "heil the White Dragon!"
So far, Smith seems to be one of the most intelligent villains in the DCEU. However, his antagonistic role means he has very few funny moments. Indeed, the character is stoic, intimidating, and outright unlikable. At least fans get to see Patrick dancing during the already famous intro sequence.
Emilia Harcourt
Emilia Harcourt is the straight woman of Operation Butterfly, a consummate pro aware that the mission is a punishment for her insubordination during The Suicide Squad's events. As such, she treats the mission with slight contempt, keeping her partners at a distance.
Harcourt is the kind of tough and icy female character James Gunn loves, much like Guardians' Gamora and Nebula. She is the least humorous of the team, preferring to stay distant rather than engage in juvenile games. There's still plenty of time to see her descend into the show's chaos, and her potential romance with Peacemaker provides the perfect opportunity.
Clemson Murn
The leader of Operation Butterfly is not there to make friends. Clemson Murn is a mercenary directly under Waller's supervision, tasked with eliminating the butterfly threat. Peacemaker hints that Murn has a dark and bloody past, and Murn himself accepts he's trying to atone for past actions.
Most comic book fans who know about the Suicide Squad will recognize Murn as an original creation for the show. He is far from funny, but he seems more willing to open than Harcourt. In episode three, he even has a brief and humorous interaction with Economos, hinting that it won't be long before he joins in on the fun.
Amber & Evan
One of the most shocking moments in Peacemaker happens in episode two when the antihero has to escape from a cop-surrounded building. He ends up taking a married couple hostage and flirts with the wife, much to the husband's annoyance.
The couple, Amber and Evan, have a chaotic and dysfunctional relationship that leads to numerous laughs. They constantly fight and exchange vitriolic insults that are shockingly funny. Amber then engages in a threesome with Peacemaker and Vigilante, further complicating things for the already unstable couple.
Jamil
Jamil appears in an early scene in episode one. He is the janitor at the hospital where Peacemaker received his treatment and an MIT graduate who rejected responsibilities, preferring his current stress-free job.
Peacemaker and Jamil share a hilarious and extended conversation that perfectly sets the show's tone. They exchange insults and pleasantries, talking about everything from Peacemaker's heroic career to Aquaman's sexual practices. Jamil is hysterical, and actor Rizwan Manji can go toe-to-toe with Cena, creating one of the show's most unforgettable moments. Jamis was MIA from the next two episodes, but his presence on the show's intro hints that he might return, much to the fans' delight.
John Economos
Comedian Steve Agee, a favorite of James Gunn, plays John Economos, Project Butterfly's tech specialist. Fans will recognize him from his participation in The Suicide Squad, where he was part of Waller's team. Like Harcourt, Waller also punished Economos by sending him to aid in Project Butterfly.
Economos is awkward but funny, sharing a mainly antagonistic relationship with Peacemaker, who mockingly calls him Dye-Beard. Economos has somewhat of a bad reputation among the team, who consider him a coward. Much of the humor surrounding him stems from his awkwardness, but the actor plays it to the max, creating a figure that audiences simultaneously laugh at but root for, and that's no easy feat.
Leota Adebayo
Leota is the closest thing Peacemaker has to a prototypical hero. She is Amanda Waller's kid, sent to Project Butterfly to be her eyes and ears. Leota is enthusiastic about being there despite the obvious danger and is genuinely interested in knowing and forming a bond with her fellow teammates.
Adebayo is Peacemaker's emotional center, at least so far. She's also very funny, mainly because of her lack of field experience and overly positive outlook. Leota is forming a close friendship with Peacemaker despite their inherently different views on life, providing the show with many of its most entertaining moments.
Vigilante
Freddie Stroma is famous for his role as the snobbish Cormac McLaggen in the Harry Potter franchise. Thanks to his conventional good looks, the actor often plays hunky love interests in projects like UnREAL and Bridgerton. However, Peacemaker cast him against type as Adrian Chase, AKA, Vigilante, Peacemaker's former companion who looks up to him as a role model.
For lack of a better word, Stroma is ridiculous in the role, but in the best way possible. Vigilante is a psychopath but a hilarious one. His clumsy and overly enthusiastic attitude makes him somewhat endearing, as does his boyish admiration for Peacemaker. Stroma is nearly stealing every scene he's in, sometimes out-humoring Cena; his torture scene in episode three is as shocking as hysterical, a perfect summarization of the show's essence.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker sees John Cena operating at the peak of his charm. The actor and professional wrestler delivers a genuinely personable, sympathetic, and surprisingly layered performance, turning Christopher Smith into more than a peace-obsessed killing machine.
However, Cena never forgets the show's comedic element and uses every chance to enhance Peacemaker's absurdism. The result is a subversive but hilarious character that turns every line into a laugh-out-loud moment. Comic book fans know Peacemaker as an antihero and vigilante, but Cena turns him into a complex human with a wicked sense of humor. He is provocative, inappropriate, and somewhat of a jerk, and the show is all the better because of it.