A Promising Setup, Complicated Execution
Based once again on Greg Rucka’s comic series—and screenplay—the sequel picks up with the much-teased return of Quynh (Veronica Ngô), Andy’s ancient companion who was last seen escaping from an iron maiden at the bottom of the ocean. Her reappearance, filled with centuries of justified rage, sets up a compelling emotional and ideological conflict.
That alone could’ve anchored the sequel. But The Old Guard 2 introduces yet another antagonist: Uma Thurman’s Discord, a mysterious immortal with her own vendetta against humanity. This double-threat setup ultimately muddies the plot. Discord never fully integrates into the core storyline, leaving her to feel more like a contractual obligation than a compelling character. Despite the hype of Theron vs. Thurman—two titans of '90s action cinema—what should have been a climactic collision fizzles out.
Star Power Can’t Save Thin Characters
Thurman’s Discord is disappointingly undercooked. Her presence feels more like a marketing move than a storytelling necessity, and her performance—reduced to snarls and vague threats—can’t elevate the paper-thin characterization. Even her much-anticipated sword fight with Theron is flat, evoking Kill Bill but failing to recapture that magic.
Theron, however, remains a force. As Andy, she exudes the same world-weary gravitas that made the first film work, even as her character navigates the loss of her immortality. Theron’s performance brings a sense of emotional weight that much of the film otherwise lacks, anchoring scenes that would’ve otherwise fallen apart.
Action with Less Bite
Director Victoria Mahoney takes over from Gina Prince-Bythewood, but struggles to match the stylish flair and tightly choreographed action of the original. Shaky-cam tactics and jittery editing dull the impact of many sequences, though a few moments—like a bruising fight between Andy and Quynh—briefly reignite the spark.
The film also finds flashes of dark humor in its depiction of the immortals’ regenerative abilities. Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) are still a joy to watch, especially when casually brushing off battlefield injuries. But elsewhere, the supporting cast flounders. KiKi Layne’s Nile, once a key emotional anchor, is now reduced to a background role. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Copley is even more underutilized, despite the actor’s clear talents.
New additions like Henry Golding’s Tuah mostly exist to explain lore, while Matthias Schoenaerts’ Booker gets a redemption arc that never fully resonates. It’s clear the film is juggling too many narratives—without giving any of them enough room to breathe.
An Ending That Doesn’t Feel Like One
Perhaps the most frustrating part of The Old Guard 2 is that it doesn’t really end. The film wraps on an abrupt cliffhanger, clearly designed to set up a third installment—but it offers no satisfying resolution to what’s come before.
Given the troubled production (reshoots reportedly occurred in 2023 after filming wrapped in 2022), it’s baffling that Netflix didn’t opt to give the film a proper, standalone conclusion. Especially after a five-year wait, audiences deserved more than a vague setup for maybe something else.
Final Thoughts
The Old Guard 2 is not without its moments. Theron is still magnetic. The world of the immortals remains rich with potential. And the central idea—exploring the burdens of eternity—is a strong one. But too many underdeveloped subplots, underused talent, and an anticlimactic ending hold it back.
If Netflix does greenlight The Old Guard 3, there’s still a chance to bring this story to a satisfying close. But for now, the second chapter in this saga feels like a missed opportunity—one that leans too heavily on star power and too lightly on story.
Verdict: 2.5/5
Charlize Theron continues to shine, but even she can’t carry a sequel weighed down by weak villains, unfocused plotting, and an unresolved ending. What could’ve been a gripping continuation instead lands as a middling middle chapter.