Synopsis
The Old Guard is an action-fantasy film released in 2020, blending thrilling fight scenes with profound questions regarding immortality and human morality. The story follows Andromache of Scythia, known as Andy, who is played by Charlize Theron. Andy is the leader of a secret warrior group suffering from a centuries old curse: they can never truly die. Throughout history, these ancient beings have foiled human attempts at progress by intervening in wars and conflicts; when injured, their bodies heal within seconds, restoring their strength.
The film opens with a trap. Due to a rescue mission in South Sudan where a group of kidnapped girls is allegedly held, the group is betrayed by former CIA operative Copley. He captures and records what he believes is their death, along with the healing that follows. This betrayal causes the team to withdraw into hiding, but not before their prophetic dreams heralding the rise of a new immortal begin.
Freeman, a U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan, dies in one combat operation only to fully heal and wake up later. This discovery upends everything for her. After she is located, Andy aids in coming to terms with the gravity of her predicament by integrating her into the group.
Through Copley, pharmaceutical mogul Steven Merrick learns of the group. He becomes obsessed with capturing them for their healing abilities and studying them, possibly monetizing his findings. Merrick plans to exploit the group for scientific research on their abilities and for corporate gain, showing no regard for ethics.
As internal conflict simmers, Andy grows discontent with Booker’s, one of the original members, endless existence. In an attempt to end their shared gift to free himself, he betrays the group. This ultimately culminates in a series of events that leave him critical injured. Interestingly enough, it’s later revealed that her immortality is fading. Simply put, she is no longer healing, making her vulnerable for the first time in centuries.
Eventually, with Copley’s aid, the group is able to infiltrate Merrick’s facility and successfully rescue Nicky and Joe. In the ultimate showdown, after killing Merrick, she nearly dies. Merrick is defeated, but Andy is left teetering on the edge of death, marking her shift from immortal to mortal. Booker’s punishment for betrayal is being exiled for a century.
In a surprising twist, Quynh—an ancient ally of Andy who was thought to be lost—makes her reemergence known. She had been trapped for centuries in an iron maiden submerged underwater, which is a fate far worse than dying. This sets up the potential for another sequel.
Charlize Theron continues her impressive run in action films as Andy, the protagonist of the film and a character whose emotional complexity is as great as her strength. KiKi Layne portrays Nile Freeman, the newest member of the group and the character who serves as the audience’s portal into this concealed universe. Matthias Schoenaerts plays Booker, the immortal tired of living, who questions the meaning of their stark existence. Joe and Nicky, two aged lovers whose relationship adds emotional depth to the film is played by Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives Copley, the antagonist turned ally, a nuanced depth. Merrick is portrayed by Harry Melling, who is unsettlingly ambitious and cruel, famously known for that whiny Dudley role back in the Harry Potter series. Veronica Ngo plays Quynh, who becomes more important in the sequel.
Gina Prince-Bythewood directed the film which is a notable achievement since she is the first Black woman to direct a major adaptation of a comic book. The screenplay was done by Greg Rucka who also adapted it from his graphic novel. Other producers of the film included Charlize Theron, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Beth Kono. Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran composed the score, while Tami Reiker and Barry Ackroyd worked on the cinematography. The film The Old Guard was shot in the UK and Morocco with a budget of 70 million dollars.
Imdb Ratings and The Old Guard’s Critique Reception
The Old Guard is another film on which audiences hold positive sentiments and has received a decent score on IMDb. Theron’s and Layne’s performances in the movie received praise from both critics and fans. The critics specifically noted how the film showcased strong character building alongside action, something often neglected in superhero movies. The film focused on the characters and emotions instead of loud explosions, providing a refreshing change for the genre.
Revamped character portrayals were met with praise, including the portrayal of immortal characters, as the film took a more somber approach and showcased the mental struggles and trauma accompanying immortality. The portrayal of the character Joe and Nicky’s same-sex relationship was commended due to its genuine presentation in the violent action atmosphere of the film.
The film has received acclaim for its inclusion and representation criteria, both on-screen and behind-the-scenes. Although some reviewers claimed that the film adhered to established action genre conventions, most recognized it for its creativity and originality.
The overarching focus of The Old Guard is, the human cost associated with immortality. The protagonist heroes are not like the usual action heroes that take pride in their abilities. Instead, these particular characters suffer due to their prolonged life. They have been alive through countless wars and centuries of unending conflict, loss, betrayal and suffering. The film examines the psychological weariness coming from eternal life, pondering if being immortal is truly a blessing or a burden.
Another dominant aspect is the moral implications of power. Merrick’s intention to capture the “immortals” and use their healing abilities for profit serves as a criticism on greed and how science is incessantly exploited for individual gain. Themes such as loyalty, redemption, and identity are also present, especially through the development of the characters Booker, Copley, and Nile.
The image award recipients also praised the film for the balanced gender representation in the crew. The Old Guard won multiple awards such as the Critics’ Choice Super Awards and NAACP, all while being nominated for a Kygo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
Sequel: The Old Guard 2
The Old Guard 2 was released in 2025 with the same cast reprising their roles and new characters played by Henry Golding and Uma Thurman joining the film. Directed by Victoria Mahoney and written by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker, the sequel expands the lore of the immortals. It explores the ramifications of Andy’s lost immortality, the consequence of aging, and new looming threats like Discord, played by Thurman. A now liberated Quynh occupies an important role while a redeeming path for Booker begins. The movie ends on a cliffhanger, creating the possibility of a third film.
Conclusion
The Old Guard and its sequel uniquely blend action, emotion, and philosophical inquiry. Through vulnerability instead of valor, morality instead of might, and a boundless life questioning purpose, it subverts the superhero genre and redefines it. Bolstered by Charlize Theron’s commanding presence and an ensemble of diverse and dynamic supporting characters, the film entertains with spectacular action, delivers poignant thematic exploration of the burden of immortality, and offers rich political commentary. The film’s success offered a strong foundation for a sequel while also establishing Netflix’s prestigious catalog of original films.
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