Chief of War

Co-created by Jason Momoa alongside Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, Chief of War is an epic historical drama that chronicles the unification of the Hawaiian kingdoms during the 18^th century. Momoa plays Ka’iana, a war chief who, due to a prophecy, is dragged into a political scheme to conquer the islands. With foreign ships on the horizon and tensions growing inland, a full-scale conflict is nearing.

Comparisons are bound to be made with last year’s Shogun. Although FX’s drama is fictitious, both series nevertheless focus on the political intrigue of pivotal points in history while attempting to be as authentic to their respective eras as possible. Whereas much of Shogun was in Japanese or Portuguese, most of the dialogue in Apple TV+’s show is spoken in Hawaiian. The opening episodes are a bold and ambitious televisual spectacle that’s bolstered by stunning visuals and exceptional performances. However, Momoa’s drama doesn’t have the same bite when it comes to its action.

Momoa is at the top of his game here. While the star has played warrior characters before in the likes of Game of Thrones and Aquaman, he has so much more to work with here. The actor puts everything into his latest role, with every word and facial expression communicating all that audiences need to know about the character. The supporting cast are equally splendid, with Luciane Buchanan being a notable standout. However, it’s Temuera Morrison who steals the spotlight as the war-hungry King Kahekili. His ferocity, which is a force to be reckoned with, becomes the centrepiece of the premiere’s showstopping moment.

Chief of War is also a remarkably good-looking production. During the day, the islands’ vistas are eye-widening backdrops that highlight their natural beauty, while the burning torches that light the night effectively add dramatic flair. From the intricate costumes, weaponry and sets, a lot of detail has gone into bringing this show to life. The results are staggering.

A small sticking point, however, is the excessive use of visual effects during action sequences. While there’s plenty of impressively choreographed combat within the opening episodes, the overuse of slow motion and noticeable CGI is enough to take viewers out of the drama for a moment.

Fronted by a career-topping performance from Momoa, Chief of War is set to be one of the biggest TV events of the year.

Andrew Murray

Chief of War is released on Apple TV+ on 1^st August 2025.

Watch the trailer for Chief of War here: