In September 2020, I had the privilege of interviewing actress Charlize Theron for CLAUDIA, at the time of The Old Guard‘s release. I’ll revisit that conversation separately. Today, on the eve of the second installment’s release, I want to offer a recap and an evaluation of the film — a passion project for the actress, and a success as well.

The Old Guard is an action-fantasy franchise centered on a group of immortal warriors who secretly act as vigilantes throughout human history. Starring Charlize Theron, the first film premiered on Netflix in July 2020 and quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched original titles that year.

The story is based on the graphic novel of the same name, written by Greg Rucka (who also penned the film’s screenplay) and illustrated by Leandro Fernández, published by Image Comics in 2017. The comic blends modern military action with supernatural elements and deep moral dilemmas — a tone that was faithfully and stylishly translated to the screen.

Who Are “The Old Guard”?

The central group consists of immortal warriors who discover their ability to regenerate from any injury at different points in history. They come together due to this unexplained condition and spend centuries fighting injustice, war, and oppression — always from the shadows, trying to avoid drawing attention to their existence.

The group’s leader is Andromache of Scythia, or simply Andy (Charlize Theron), a Greek warrior who has lived for thousands of years. Alongside her are Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), a former Napoleonic soldier; Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), two former enemies from the Crusades who fell in love and became inseparable.

Events escalate when a new immortal is awakened: Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne), a young American Marine. She is recruited by Andy and becomes the group’s newest member.

What Happened in the First Film?

The group is betrayed by Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a former CIA agent who delivers them to a pharmaceutical corporation led by the ruthless CEO Merrick (Harry Melling). Merrick wants to capture the immortals and study them to exploit their healing potential for profit — regardless of the ethical consequences.

The immortals are captured but manage to escape with Nile’s help, who proves to be a promising warrior. In the final showdown, Andy sacrifices herself to defeat Merrick — and we learn one of the film’s biggest twists: she has lost her immortality. From that moment on, any injury could be fatal to her.

In the epilogue, Booker — who betrayed the group out of despair — is exiled for 100 years. But he’s visited by a mysterious figure: Quynh (Veronica Ngo), Andy’s former partner, presumed dead after being sealed in an iron coffin and thrown into the sea centuries earlier. Her survival (and possible thirst for vengeance) sets the stage for the sequel.

Critical and Audience Reception

The film was praised for its innovative approach to the action genre, with highlights including brutal, realistic fight choreography, a diverse cast, and emotional, ethical subtext. Charlize Theron earned acclaim for her portrayal of Andy — a cold, traumatized, and lethal warrior who also reveals emotional vulnerability.

Joe and Nicky’s relationship was celebrated as a strong and meaningful LGBTQ+ representation in a genre that often lacks such visibility. Critics noted that the film successfully balanced introspective moments with explosive action and existential themes — such as the loneliness of immortality and the struggle to stay relevant in a constantly changing world.

With over 78 million views in its first few weeks, The Old Guard was one of Netflix’s biggest hits of 2020 — making a sequel all but inevitable.

Why Did the Sequel Take So Long?

Despite its immediate success, the sequel faced several delays. One major factor was the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected film production globally, including streaming titles. Another reason was aligning the schedules of the main cast — particularly Charlize Theron, who has been involved in numerous high-profile projects — and the creative team.

Additionally, the first film’s director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, did not return for the sequel. She passed the baton to Victoria Mahoney, known for her second-unit work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and for directing episodes of Lovecraft Country. This transition required time for script rewrites, vision alignment, and production rescheduling.

Filming for The Old Guard 2 began in 2022 and wrapped in 2023, with a planned release in the second half of 2025. According to recent interviews, the sequel will expand on the mythology of the immortals, explore the reunion between Andy and Quynh, and introduce new allies and enemies. The original cast returns, including Ejiofor — now an ally — and new additions like Uma Thurman and Henry Golding.

Where We Left Off — and What’s Next

By the end of the first film, the immortals are changed. Andy, now mortal, must learn to live from a new perspective. Booker is in exile. Quynh is alive — and, by all indications, harbors deep resentment. The sequel is expected to bring internal conflict, ethical dilemmas, and epic battles, diving even deeper into the universe created by Rucka.

If The Old Guard subverted expectations with its first film, all signs point to its continuation raising the stakes emotionally, morally, and physically — and exploring what it truly means to live forever… or not.