‘Chief of War’ is rewriting historical drama—Jason Momoa battles sharks, wields swords, and ignites a cultural revolution in this epic series.
Move over Vikings and Gladiators — there’s a new historical epic in town and it’s completely, absolutely bonkers in the best way possible. Chief of War, the new Apple TV+ series from Jason Momoa, has taken everything that we’ve learned about cool and stylish nuance and tossed it out of the pool of shark wrestling, blood-dripping sword fights, and active tribal politics and replaced it with a flat-out tribal story as bombastic as it is emotional. Chief of War is not just a show — it’s a fever dream — set in 18th-century Hawaii.
A Bold New Chapter for Jason Momoa
Because Jason Momoa has a long history of playing incredible parts that are the stuff of larger-than-life legends, this will be a perfect home for Momoa, who has played warriors, kings, and rebels in Game of Thrones’ Khal Drogo and DC’s Aquaman. But in Chief of War, Momoa isn’t just featured talent — he’s also co-creator and co-writer and has put his heart and soul into this unique story that embraces and celebrates his Polynesian heritage.
Momoa plays Kaʻiana, a Hawaiian warrior responding to the brutal edge of tribe-on-tribe politics in a key historic time associated with removing the disruption of Western colonizers in the South Pacific. What is Kaʻiana’s mission in a world like that? To unite the islands to protect his people’s legacy — by any means necessary. Sometimes that means choking a shark underwater as if it’s just another Tuesday.
Historical Drama’s Hypothetical Mayhem
While Chief of War is rooted in true historical events, the narrative is anything but mundane. It is as interesting as it is a heady combination of brutal realism, mythical imagery, and testosterone-fueled, chaotic atmosphere. One moment, a heartfelt tribal ceremony, the next moment, a beach-side, 300-style sword fight, replete with blood and sweat.
In just Episode 2, there is a shark wrestling scene that plays like a twisted combination of Jaws and The Revenant. It is one of those scenes that you may need to rewind to make sure you were not hallucinating. Certainly, Chief of War is not a typical period piece; it is an adrenaline-soaked, culturally relevant epic that enthralls from the start.
Visually Stunning with Brutal Reality
While you may think Chief of War is just action, you’d be mistaken. It is also a visual achievement; filmed on location in Hawaii and New Zealand, the backdrop of the show blends lush rainforests, scenic volcanic cliffs, and picturesque sun-drenched lands. Each frame plays like a moving painting, only with blood, bone, and war paint.
The costume and set design highlight the creators’ depth of research and cultural sensitivity to honor traditional Pacific Polynesian attire and traditions. Even the fight choreography takes cues from traditional indigenous martial arts, which helps lend credibility to every sword swing and war yell.
The Characters Are More Than Warriors
What differentiates Chief of War from other hyper-masculine dramas is it offers much more emotional substance. Yes, there is action. Yes, there is violence. But at the centre of it, this is a more complex story of identity, betrayal, and survival. Kaʻiana is a man caught between worlds – tradition and modernity, honor and vengeance, love and war.
And Ka’iana is not the only character who has an emotional burden. The series has a largely well-developed ensemble cast, particularly its women, that add shades of heart and nuance to character’s arc. From chieftain mothers to spiritual healers, these roles are not just noise; they are central characters in their own right.
Not Just Insane – It’s a Cultural Milestone
Despite the crazy action scenes that will get the press coverage, Chief of War is also a cultural milestone because it represents one of the very few times Polynesian history will be represented in a mainstream popular media form. So far, stories from the Pacific Islands have been underrepresented for far too long in favour of Anglo-centric narratives. This project hopes to change that by providing representation, agency, and cinematic storytelling to a rich and nuanced culture that has often been overlooked.
Mad, Strange, and Strangely Emotional.
Chief of War doesn’t always follow the rules of normal storytelling — and that is what makes it, and the experience, so special. It’s unpredictable. It’s visceral. It lets you feel like you time-traveled to a world filled with gods and ghosts and warriors and settlers.
There is a surrealist aspect to it – a surrealist vibe that is similar to shows like The Northman or Apocalypto, but somehow with more heart. It shows no hesitation to be bizarre, to take risks, to follow a philosophical monologue with an overlay of evil that includes a vicious beheading. And somehow it works.
Fan Reactions: “What Did I Just Watch — And When Can I Watch More?”
Social media is rife with reactions from stunned to evermore obsessed. One user on X (formerly Twitter) said, “Jason Momoa just fought a shark underwater – I have no idea what is going on, but I am so in.” Another said, “This is what happens when you give Jason Momoa the power to direct his dreams.”
Critics have been more reserved, while many pointed out the bravery of the storytelling, they also note that the series occasionally strays toward chaos. But even the uninitiated agree – you will not see anything like this on TV now.
Will there be a season 2?
While Apple TV+ has not made an official announcement regarding Chief of War’s renewal, the hype surrounding the show is only ramping up. After the finale ended on a huge cliffhanger, and with fans clamoring for more underwater battles and tribal warfare, season 2 seems inevitable.
Momoa even hinted at this in a recent interview by saying, “There is so much more to Ka’iana’s story, we have just scratched the surface.” With season 2 due to the popularity of the show, I wouldn’t expect it to be long before we see something about a renewal.
Final Verdict: Watch It or Miss Out
Chief of War is chaotic, bloody, and completely insane at times, but it is also emotional, wonderful culturally, and visually beautiful. If you are someone who is tired of all of the tame historical dramas, then Chief of War is your jolt of cinematic adrenaline.
FAQs
What is Chief of War about?
Chief of War is a historical action-drama series starring Jason Momoa. The story is set in 18th-century Hawaii and follows a Polynesian warrior named Kaʻiana, who is uniting the islands against foreign invasion, blending epic battles, emotional storylines, and cultural depth.
Where can I watch Chief of War?
Chief of War is currently available on Apple TV+. You can watch it as part of an Apple TV+ subscription.