THE STORY – Andy leads immortal warriors against a powerful enemy threatening their group. They grapple with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal, complicating their mission to safeguard humanity.
THE CAST – Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngô, Henry Golding & Uma Thurman
THE TEAM – Victoria Mahoney (Director), Greg Rucka & Sarah L. Walker (Writers)
THE RUNNING TIME – 104 Minutes
Picking up where the first film left off, “The Old Guard 2” expands on the immersive world of its immortal warriors while incorporating the raw action and existential weight that were present in the first installment. With Charlize Theron reprising her role as Andy, the weary, battle-hardened leader, this sequel dives deeper into the reality of her newfound mortality. Alongside her team, including the ever-evolving Nile (KiKi Layne), the film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and what it means to carry the weight of centuries of history. Directed by Victoria Mahoney, “The Old Guard 2” takes us deep into the emotional turbulence of immortality.
When we left Andy, her team was fractured; Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) had been exiled after betraying them, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) had emerged from her watery prison after 500 years. The emotional stakes of this sequel center on wounds – both personal and existential – as Andy and her team try to adapt to an unpredictable new phase. While the film does prove to be a step down in some ways, it’s the profound emotional core that makes this sequel more than just another action flick. The film is framed by a series of missions that push the team towards new dangers, but beneath the surface, “The Old Guard 2” is all about the weight of history, guilt, and the question that haunts these immortal warriors: “What is the purpose of living forever?”
While the first film centered on Andy’s leadership, grappling with her new mortality, and a betrayal within her team, “The Old Guard 2” dives deeper into the personal toll of living across centuries. Andy, who once led with unshakable confidence, now has to grapple with the idea that she may not always have the answers or the strength to be the first through the fire. The action, while still thrilling and intense, is far more visceral this time around, with each fight more emotionally charged. Andy is no longer invincible, so each bullet aimed in her direction could be her last, and she has accepted that.
The standout moments occur when the film explores Andy’s relationships with her teammates, especially Nile. The generational gap between the two becomes an important focal point, as Nile grows into her own as an immortal while Andy struggles with her newfound limitations. The chemistry between Layne and Theron is one of the most endearing aspects of the film, with their bond feeling more like a sisterhood than a mere mentor-mentee relationship. The humor that occasionally breaks through in the team’s interactions adds levity to a narrative that is otherwise weighed down by existential dread and the emotional wreckage left by centuries of betrayal, love, and loss.
But it’s the reunion between Andy and Quynh that forms the film’s emotional core. When Quynh emerges from the ocean after centuries of torment, there’s no joyous embrace or tearful reunion. Instead, the pair find themselves facing off in a violent, emotionally charged confrontation. Quynh’s anger at Andy for leaving her behind, and the fractured bond between the two, leads to a fight that feels like the culmination of all their shared history– a history that neither can fully escape. It’s a beautifully choreographed battle that showcases both the physicality of the film’s stars and the raw emotional pain that their characters carry. In many ways, this fight isn’t just a clash of bodies, but of ideologies– Andy, who wants to save the world, versus Quynh, who believes it’s beyond saving. The trauma of their relationship fuels “The Old Guard 2,” bringing depth to a film that otherwise falls into familiar weaknesses.
New characters are introduced, including Tuah (Henry Golding), an immortal who acts as historian, holding the knowledge to unravel the mystery of their existence. However, the film’s reliance on his character to guide the team occasionally feels like a plot device rather than an organic development, especially when compared to the emotionally rich moments with Quynh or Nile.
The film also introduces Discord (Uma Thurman), whose motivations ultimately follow a more conventional villainous path: power and domination. She’s a being as ancient as Andy herself, but with a far darker agenda. While Thurman delivers a fierce performance, Discord’s desire for ultimate power at any cost feels somewhat predictable. That being said, Thurman’s chemistry with Theron is undeniable, and their confrontation, as two titans of action cinema, is one of the film’s most electrifying moments.
While the plot does rely on the familiar “save the world” trope toward the end, it’s the emotional payoff that sets it apart. The action feels less about spectacle and more about the stakes each of these characters faces, both internal and external. The film’s finale explores the fragility of both immortality and mortality, as the team finds itself at odds not just with enemies, but with the very purpose of its existence.
In many ways, “The Old Guard 2” feels like a bridge between the revelations of its predecessor and the action-packed finale it alludes to. While the central missions of the film feel underdeveloped, Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is neglected, and even the soundtrack is a step down, the team and their internal struggles keep you emotionally invested. The theme of found family remains central, with the team consistently proving that they are willing to sacrifice everything for one another.
The film may sometimes tread familiar ground, but it succeeds in keeping the audience hooked, both with its thrilling action and its poignant exploration of what it means to live forever, and what it costs. As Andy and co come to terms with what immortality means, with Quynh’s resentment lingering in the air, and with the ominous threat of Discord still hanging over them, the film leaves us in a precarious place. Hopefully, the next chapter will deliver the resolution to its deep, emotional threads.
