Action movie enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the release of The Old Guard 2 for five years, following the success of the original Netflix superhero film, The Old Guard. The day has finally arrived, and Charlize Theron, along with her team of immortal warriors, is back for another round of intense action and conflict. As the first reviews start to pour in, the question remains: Was The Old Guard 2 worth the wait, or is it time for Andy and her unkillable mercenaries to hang up their weapons for good? Let’s dive into the details.
According to Julian Roman of MovieWeb, The Old Guard 2 does not live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor, which was viewed by a remarkable 72 million households within its first month and garnered an impressive 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In stark contrast, the sequel has debuted with a disappointing 42% on the review aggregator site. Roman noted, “Charlize Theron and her group of butt-kicking immortals return in a Netflix sequel that’s loaded with star power but severely uneven in its execution.” The sequel attempts to build on the ancient mythological lore introduced in the first film, featuring slick fight choreography and big-budget action scenes in exotic locales. However, the dazzling visuals struggle to compensate for a narrative that is poorly developed, predictable, and marred by plot inconsistencies, alongside a notably underwhelming villain.
Eric Goldman from IGN echoed these sentiments, rating The Old Guard 2 a mere 5/10. While he praised Charlize Theron as “a fantastic leading lady,” he concluded that her charisma was not enough to redeem a sequel that lacks the fun and engagement of the first film. Goldman expressed disappointment in the underutilization of the showdown between Theron and Uma Thurman, commenting that it fell flat.
On a brighter note, Katey Stoetzel of InBetweenDrafts found some redeeming qualities in the film, stating, “Despite grievances in story and larger lore implications, The Old Guard 2 is still a fun and emotional ride.” Similarly, David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter described the film as “a better-than-average original streaming feature,” highlighting the capable cast and enough action to satisfy most viewers, alongside a thought-provoking introspection on the roles of superheroes.
Despite some positive notes, the general consensus remains that The Old Guard 2 is a letdown. Mae Abdulbaki from Screen Rant expressed her fondness for the characters but criticized the sequel for being little more than a setup for a potential third installment. “While there’s still more story to tell — and Discord is an intriguing villain that I want to see more of, if only to watch Thurman be icy — I’m not convinced it justifies wasting what precious time we have with The Old Guard 2 and its narrative of immortals duking it out,” she stated.
Shawn Van Horn of Collider took a harsher stance, describing the film as “Utterly Lifeless” and “filler.” He pointed out that much of the storyline remains unfinished as the credits roll, suggesting that viewers might have to wait another five years for a conclusive chapter. “It’s obvious that The Old Guard 2 is the next chapter in a trilogy, because so much of the story is left unfinished when the end credits come,” he lamented.
Directed by Victoria Mahoney and penned once again by Greg Rucka, The Old Guard 2 sees the return of Charlize Theron as Andy/Andromache of Scythia, alongside a talented cast that includes KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman, Marwan Kenzari as Joe/Yusuf Al-Kaysani, Luca Marinelli as Nicky/Nicolò di Genoa, Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker/Sebastian Le Livre, Vân Veronica Ngô as Quỳnh, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as James Copley. Uma Thurman joins the fray as Discord, while Henry Golding from Snake Eyes takes on the role of Tuah.
The Old Guard 2 is currently streaming on Netflix, and here’s a brief synopsis: Andy and her team of immortal warriors are back, driven by a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker in exile after his betrayal and Quynh seeking revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy must confront her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat arises, potentially jeopardizing her life’s work over the centuries. With the help of Tuah, an old friend, the team aims to unlock the mystery surrounding their immortal existence.
