‘Chief of War’ Review: Jason Momoa’s Passion Project Is Another Win for Apple TV+

Jason Momoa first drew eyes to Apple TV+ as a streaming platform with his work on See, the dystopian sci-fi series that premiered in 2019 and wrapped up in 2022. Three years after See aired its final season, Momoa returns to Apple TV+ with Chief of War, his historical epic series that’s been years in the making. In addition to starring in the show alongside The Book of Boba Fett‘s Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis of Avatar: The Way of Water, Momoa also wrote and created Chief of War, along with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.

2025 has already been a big year for Momoa after co-starring in A Minecraft Movie with Jack Black, and Chief of War is poised to keep his name in the conversation for at least the next few weeks. The show wastes no time throwing the audience right into the action, but it pulls back and gives viewers a chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes Hawaii has to offer. Despite some minor issues that a lower episode count could fix, Chief of War is a major win for both Apple TV+ and Jason Momoa, one that will likely stand the test of time as one of his most important projects.

What Is ‘Chief of War’ About?

Chief of War, which is loosely based on a true story, follows Ka’iana (Momoa), an outcast living in exile on the island of Kauai, before he’s quickly called back into action. Ka’iana finds himself in the middle of warring families fighting for power over the islands they call home, but war isn’t something he’s ever sought out on his own accord. The series unfolds an intricate and sometimes imperfect plot centred on a power struggle for the Hawaiian islands. However, it also includes a brief detour to different territories that occasionally distract from the main story.

Thankfully, the return to the beautiful islands of Hawaii and the subsequent runaway to the finale in the second half of the season make the journey away from the story’s core worth it. When Chief of War focuses on Ka’iana’s place in the fight for peace on the islands, it’s a slam dunk. When it loses sight of this for a few episodes in the middle of the series, it’s a bit of a drag, even if the context they add to the story is not only important, but vital to the ending.

Jason Momoa Is ’Chief of War’s Bleeding Heart

Chief of War rides entirely on the shoulders of Jason Momoa, who plays a very similar character to what fans are accustomed to from him. However, just because it’s a skull-smashing part we’re familiar with, it doesn’t make it any less entertaining. Still, Momoa gets the chance to do some of his finest acting in Chief of War. Ka’iana has seen more than his fair share of struggles. Without Momoa’s performance to show just how difficult things have been for him, the story would lose its emotional weight long before the finale — fortunately, Momoa is more than strong enough to carry it.

Momoa is far from the only star in Chief of War, though. Featuring alongside him are Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis as King Kahekili and Keoua, respectively. Chief of War never quite figures out how to use Morrison’s Kahekili, who is first set up to be the primary antagonist before taking a backseat to Keoua. Even though Keoua occupies most of the spotlight as the feature villain in the series, it’s always somewhat tricky to nail down the power dynamic between the two. Both are evil in their own ways, but it’s unclear which is going to meet the tip of Ka’iana’s spear until the finale.

Chief of War also takes the time to both establish and develop important supporting characters like Kupuohi (Te Ao o Hinepehinga), who has a strong connection with Ka’iana. There’s Ka’ahumanu (Luciane Buchanan), who plays a Game of Thrones-esque game while she collects more power, which isn’t a common path for someone so intent on a peaceful outcome. Ka’iana also has friends like Namake (Te Kohe Tuhaka) and Nahi’ (Siua Ikale’o), who remain by his side even in the toughest of times. The series doesn’t just introduce these characters and leave them on the back burner; instead, it gives them time in the spotlight to make the viewer care about them and their relationships.

’Chief of War’s Biggest Sell Is the World It Creates

The reason to watch Chief of War isn’t an Emmy-worthy performance from Jason Momoa or any of the cast members. It’s the beautiful visuals and the world that Momoa and co-creator Thomas Pa’a Sibbett work so hard to bring to life. It’s easy to get swept up in spending time in the beautiful mountain ranges and beaches of Hawaii’s islands, and also to forget about the turmoil that lies on the surface if you zoom in close enough. Be prepared to rewind at times, knowing you missed some potentially crucial dialogue after enjoying the scenery just a bit too much.

Chief of War also features pulse-pounding action that, while used sparsely, hits hard during some of the more climactic moments. The battles quickly establish just how brutal war on the islands can be, while keeping the action limited to a point that every fight has its own perilous stakes. When Ka’iana draws a club and prepares to fight someone, be ready to sit up in your chair and accommodate a rising heart rate. The pure scale and execution of the show’s final battle will stay with viewers long after it’s aired, and as the director of the final episode, it’s something Momoa will likely be asked about for years to come.

The most jarring issue with Chief of War lies with the inclusion of some Englishmen who, to no surprise, are quick to do heinous things to the native islanders for their own gain. When Ka’iana departs the islands against his will, his time away from Hawaii changes him, but it’s hard as a viewer not to long to return to Maui’s beautiful shores and cliffs. Including colonizers makes sense within the context of the story, but they’re undeniably the weakest part of the show, even if they’re necessary to help launch Ka’iana toward his ultimate quest to bring peace to the islands.

‘Chief of War’ Is a Worthwhile Investment

Similar to last year’s Shōgun, much of Chief of War is in a different language (Hawaiian), but this is a minor hurdle that’s easily overcome with subtitles. The series gradually incorporates more English as it progresses, but this only detracts from the beauty of hearing Polynesian and Indigenous actors deliver lines in Hawaiian, which roll off the tongue effortlessly. With nine episodes all hovering between 45 minutes and an hour, Chief of War should be on the list for TV fans looking for something to close out 2025. 

Chief of War begins streaming on Apple TV+ tomorrow. Follow Agents of Fandom on socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.