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The Old Guard 2
The Old Guard 2
The Old Guard 2
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The Old Guard 2
Release poster
Directed byVictoria Mahoney
Screenplay by
Story byGreg Rucka
Based on
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBarry Ackroyd
Edited byMatthew Schmidt
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • July 2, 2025 (2025-07-02)
Running time
107 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Old Guard 2 is a 2025 American action film directed by Victoria Mahoney, from a screenplay by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker, based on the graphic novel The Old Guard by Rucka and Leandro Fernández. Serving as a sequel to the first film, the film stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngô, and Chiwetel Ejiofor reprising their roles from the first film while Henry Golding and Uma Thurman join the cast.

The Old Guard 2 was released on July 2, 2025, on Netflix and received generally mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, calling it inferior to its predecessor. The film was the final film to be produced by Skydance before its merger with Paramount Global.

Plot

[edit]

Off the coast of Rome, Italy, an iron maiden is brought up from the ocean floor. When the device is opened on the deck of the ship, it is revealed to contain Quỳnh, an immortal who has been imprisoned inside for 500 years.

Six months after Booker was sentenced to loneliness,[a] Andy leads Joe, Nicky, Nile, and Copley to retrieve a weapons cache from a secure compound in Split. While in hiding, Nile has a dream of a woman incapacitating a person inside a library before stealing their books.

In Paris, Booker is found and abducted by Quỳnh. Andy and Copley track down a sage-immortal, Tuah, in Seoul, who has deep knowledge of immortals and is an old friend of Andy's, who revealed that he had rescued her when Quỳnh was being sealed in an iron maiden 500 years ago. He confirms that his books containing information about the immortals were stolen by an immortal named Discord, who over the centuries after parting ways with Tuah, had become a highly elusive arms dealer.

Andy and Copley escort Tuah to a hideout in Rimini, where Andy receives a note from Quỳnh—via Booker after he was released from captivity—demanding to see Andy in Rome, where Quỳnh had been cast into the sea. The two have a tense reunion during which Quỳnh blames Andy for what she perceives as Andy abandoning her promise to rescue her, before Quỳnh briefly fights against Andy and retrieves her necklace.

Nile confronts Discord, who explains that she (Discord) was the first – and that Nile is the last – immortal in their world, noting their identical and connecting skin birthmarks.

Tuah theorizes that the "last immortal" has the power to take away someone's immortality whenever they injure someone. Additionally, anyone who has lost their immortality can regain their power by another wounded immortal who can transfer their power to the host they choose. The first part of the theory is confirmed when Nile grazes Booker's forearm in a spar and his wounds no longer heal; Booker insists that Tuah not reveal this to Andy.

Andy and Copley learn that Discord and Quỳnh's mercenaries have taken control of a Chinese-built and owned nuclear facility in South Tangerang and planted shaped charges inside the core, which would irradiate the area and affect millions of people should the charges explode. Despite knowing it is a trap, set up by Discord, Andy and her team go to disarm the charges and take out the invaders inside the nuclear facility.

Everyone on Andy's team, except for Nile, Booker and Andy, are captured by Discord. During the ensuing melee, the wounded Booker successfully transfers his immortal powers to Andy, and sacrifices his life to protect her. Andy is devastated, but her immortal powers have been restored. Meanwhile, Nile confronts Quỳnh inside the reactor core and injures her, removing her regenerative healing power, before she too is captured by Discord.

After convincing the now mortal Quỳnh to release the detonator, Andy catches up to Discord and the two engage in a brutal brawl against one another. Discord reveals that she, too, has lost her immortality, and she is desperate to use Nile to regain her powers—by any means necessary. She stabs Andy in the heart, momentarily incapacitating her, allowing Discord to flee the facility with Andy's captured comrades, and proclaims that if they meet again, she will be immortal.

Andy takes Quỳnh back to Tuah's library and helps her recover from her wounds. There, Andy and Quỳnh vow to find Discord together and save their teammates.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

In July 2020, Greg Rucka said, "In case of sequel, break glass. It's very straightforward. You want another one? Here's a way to get into it".[2] In the same month, Charlize Theron had expressed her interest in a second film, saying: "Let's have a little resting period, but just given the fact that all of us really want to do it, I'm sure when it's the right time, we'll start the conversation."[3][4]

It was reported on January 27, 2021, that Netflix had greenlit a sequel.[5] On August 26, it was announced that Victoria Mahoney would direct the sequel, taking over for The Old Guard's original director Gina Prince-Bythewood who was busy with another project. Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Vân Veronica Ngô, and Chiwetel Ejiofor were cast to reprise their respective roles from the first film.[5] In June 2022, Uma Thurman and Henry Golding were cast in undisclosed roles, while Greg Rucka was confirmed to have written the script for producers David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Theron, Beth Kono, AJ Dix, Marc Evans, and Prince-Bythewood.[6]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began in June 2022 in Italy.[7] Some filming took place at the Italian Cinecittà Studios. In August 2022, the film's set caught fire while it was being dismantled, causing production to be delayed.[8][9] Additional filming took place in the United Kingdom. Filming was completed in September 2022.[7]

Post-production

[edit]

In July 2024, Theron said that the film was shut down five weeks into its post-production due to regime changes at Netflix, but has since been completed and will be released "soon".[10] In August 2024, the Union of British Columbia Performers listed the film as being scheduled for two weeks of additional photography from October 7 to October 18, 2024.[11] Matthew Schmidt serves as the editor.[12]

Music

[edit]

By January 2023, Max Aruj and Ruth Barrett composed the film's score, replacing Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O'Halloran from the first film before Aruj was replaced as composing partner by Steffen Thum.[13]

Release

[edit]

The Old Guard 2 was released on Netflix on July 2, 2025.[14]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 27% of 109 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Bogged down by tedious lore and lackluster execution, The Old Guard 2 finds this budding franchise already long in the tooth."[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 44 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[16]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Old Guard 2

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from Grokipedia
The Old Guard 2 is a 2025 American superhero action film directed by Victoria Mahoney, serving as a sequel to the 2020 Netflix film The Old Guard. Based on the Image Comics series created by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernandez, the film follows the ancient immortal warriors led by Andromache of Scythia (Andy), portrayed by Charlize Theron, as they confront a vengeful Quynh (Veronica Ngô) and a mysterious new villain while Andy deals with her sudden mortality. The ensemble cast includes returning stars KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman, Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker, Marwan Kenzari as Joe, and Luca Marinelli as Nicky, alongside newcomers Henry Golding as the immortal Tuah and Uma Thurman as the antagonist Discord, with Chiwetel Ejiofor reprising his role as Copley. Co-written by Rucka and Sarah L. Walker, the screenplay expands on the themes of immortality, loyalty, and protection from the original graphic novels. It premiered on Netflix on July 2, 2025. Principal photography for The Old Guard 2 began in June 2022 but faced significant delays due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, with additional filming in 2024 and completion in early 2025. The production, overseen by Skydance Media and Netflix, incorporated advanced action choreography and was filmed across locations including Italy and the United Kingdom. Mahoney, known for her work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, brought a focus on character-driven storytelling and philosophical undertones to the sequel, emphasizing the emotional toll of eternal life on the warriors. Upon release, The Old Guard 2 debuted at number one on Netflix's global charts, amassing 37.5 million views in its first week, reflecting strong audience interest in the franchise. The film received mixed to negative critical reception, earning a 32% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for some action sequences but criticism for pacing and thematic depth. The sequel sets up potential for further installments, hinting at broader lore from Rucka's comic universe.

Background

Franchise origins

The Old Guard comic series, created by writer and artist Leandro Fernández, debuted in 2017 under , with the last new content released in 2021. The story centers on a secretive group of immortal mercenaries known as the Old Guard, who have fought in countless wars across centuries but grapple with the unexplained nature of their eternal lives and the psychological toll of . Key volumes include The Old Guard: Opening Fire (2017), which introduces the core team led by Andromache of (Andy) and explores their latest mission amid threats to their secrecy; Force Multiplied (2019), delving deeper into their vulnerabilities and interpersonal dynamics; and the anthology Tales Through Time (2021), featuring standalone stories by various creators that expand the lore of individual immortals. As of 2025, the series remains on hiatus, with a new hardcover collection, The Old Guard: The Immortal Edition Volume 1, released in July 2025 compiling the first two volumes. In 2020, adapted the series into a feature film directed by , with Rucka serving as screenwriter and producer to ensure fidelity to the source material. Produced on a , the movie stars as Andy and follows the Old Guard as they recruit a new immortal, Nile Freeman (), while facing exploitation by a pharmaceutical CEO seeking to harness their abilities. The film earned critical acclaim with an 80% approval rating on , praised for its action sequences, diverse representation, and exploration of immortality's burdens. Commercially, it became one of Netflix's biggest original hits, viewed by 78 million households in its first four weeks of release. The film's conclusion establishes strong sequel potential by leaving key elements unresolved, including the fate of Quỳnh (Veronica Ngô), Andy's ancient comrade believed drowned centuries ago but revealed alive in a where she contacts the betrayer Booker (), hinting at fractured alliances. This ties into the broader crisis afflicting the team, as the story underscores that their invincibility is not absolute—evident in Quỳnh's endless suffering and the possibility of mortality's return—prompting questions about their purpose and endurance. The first film's massive viewership and positive reception directly led to greenlight The Old Guard 2 in 2021, with Rucka continuing his involvement to build on these threads.

Sequel development

Following the success of the 2020 film The Old Guard, which achieved over 78 million household views in its first month on , the streaming service greenlit a sequel on January 26, 2021. , who directed the original, was initially attached to return for the follow-up. Development on the project began in 2020 shortly after the first film's release, with creator returning to write the screenplay alongside Sarah L. Walker. The script, which expands the comic's universe with original story elements beyond the second volume (Force Multiplied), emphasizes emotional depth in exploring the characters' and relationships over strict adherence to the source material. By July 2021, Rucka confirmed the screenplay was complete, allowing production to advance toward in early 2022. In August 2021, Netflix announced as the new director, replacing Prince-Bythewood due to the latter's scheduling conflicts after the first film's acclaim opened opportunities for other high-profile projects. , whose prior credits include serving as director on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—where she oversaw complex action sequences—brought her expertise in large-scale genre filmmaking to the sequel. The project is produced by in association with and .

Production

Pre-production

Pre-production for The Old Guard 2 officially began in August 2021, following the completion of the screenplay and initial casting confirmations. was confirmed to reprise her role as Andy in June 2021, with key returning cast members including as Joe and as Nicky, the immortal couple, also announced at that time. The production team, led by Skydance and , focused on logistical setup, including the appointment of a COVID compliance to adapt health protocols amid ongoing concerns. Casting expanded in June 2022 with the announcement of as the antagonist and in a supporting role, joining other returning actors such as , , Veronica Ngô, and . Director , making her feature directorial debut, emphasized practical effects in action choreography to reflect the characters' emotional evolution, prioritizing subtle emotionality and wonder as the film's creative north star. Her vision centered on character arcs exploring the psychological toll of , including Andy's newfound mortality, Quynh's centuries of trauma, and the immortals' internal struggles with , guilt, and loss. The screenplay, penned by Greg Rucka—who created the original comic series—underwent revisions incorporating budget considerations and creative notes from and the production , with Rucka handling the core development in close consultation with collaborators. These revisions integrated new antagonists threatening the immortals' secrecy and mission, while storyboarding emphasized enhanced action sequences to "up the ante" from , involving extensive for practical explorations of , props, and character-driven fights. coordinator Diyan Hristov was selected to oversee the escalated , ensuring alignment with the film's themes of physical and emotional resilience.

Filming

Principal photography for The Old Guard 2 commenced in June 2022 at in , , where soundstages were utilized for key action sequences. On August 1, 2022, a broke out at , destroying a set for another production but briefly halting work on The Old Guard 2 with no injuries reported. The production wrapped its initial shoot in September 2022, following an intensive period that emphasized practical effects and on-location authenticity. Additional and reshoots occurred in October 2024 in Vancouver, , . Filming extended beyond the studio to diverse exteriors across , including Riva di Solto in Province for lakeside sequences, for coastal action, and on for dramatic confrontations. Additional locations encompassed central and the port of , alongside shoots in the and , , to capture varied environmental backdrops. Some Parisian landmarks in were also employed to represent European settings, marking a deliberate shift from the first film's and UK-centric locations toward Italy's historic and scenic renewal for visual freshness. On-set challenges centered on executing high-intensity practical stunts that highlighted the immortals' regenerative abilities, with lead actress performing several demanding feats herself, including hanging from a . The production incorporated an LED Volume stage at Studios to create immersive virtual environments, allowing real-time integration of digital backgrounds during complex fight choreography. This approach facilitated efficient shooting of immortality-themed battles while minimizing reliance on greenscreen work.

Post-production

Post-production on The Old Guard 2 began shortly after wrapped in September 2022 and lasted until April 2025, marked by significant delays due to internal changes at and the demanding workload. In mid-2024, the process was halted for five weeks amid a leadership transition at the studio, as revealed by star , before resuming with additional reshoots in October 2024 to refine key narrative elements. These interruptions extended the timeline, allowing for deeper refinement but contributing to the sequel's prolonged development cycle. Visual effects played a central role, with studios including , Scanline VFX, and Pixomondo creating sequences for the immortals' resurrections—such as rapid and face replacements—and high-stakes battle choreography involving helicopter crashes and cliff drops. Production VFX supervisor Charlie Iturriaga oversaw these elements to heighten the film's action while grounding it in realism. Editing was handled by Matthew Schmidt, who assembled the 107-minute cut to balance intense combat with character-driven moments. The film earned an MPAA R rating for sequences of and some language, reflecting its unflinching depiction of immortal brutality. incorporated distinct palettes, such as cooler tones in confrontation scenes, to underscore emotional tension and the story's gritty atmosphere, as noted by director . Sound design, supervised by , integrated immersive audio for combat and resurrection effects during the later phases, culminating in the project's completion announcement in April 2025 ahead of its release on July 2, 2025.

Cast

Returning cast

reprises her role as Andromache of , known as Andy, the ancient warrior and leader of the immortal group who grapples with her newfound mortality in the sequel. Theron, who also serves as a on the , brings continuity to the character originally introduced as the weary yet formidable head of the Old Guard mercenaries. KiKi Layne returns as Nile Freeman, the newest recruit to the immortal team, continuing her arc as a modern U.S. Marine adjusting to eternal life and her place among centuries-old warriors. Layne's portrayal maintains the character's role as the group's emotional anchor, bridging the gap between contemporary humanity and immortal history. is back as Sébastien le Livre, alias Booker, the French immortal previously exiled from the team, whose storyline explores his path toward redemption while remaining a key figure in their operations. Schoenaerts' performance upholds Booker's complex loyalty and tactical expertise from . Marwan Kenzari and reprise their roles as the immortal lovers Yusuf Al-Kaysani (Joe) and Nicolò di Genova (Nicky), respectively, the devoted partners who have fought side by side for over a millennium. Their relationship, a cornerstone of the franchise since its origins in the graphic novels, emphasizes enduring companionship amid endless conflict. Chiwetel Ejiofor returns as James Copley, the former CIA operative who evolves into a steadfast ally, providing strategic and analytical support to the immortals based on his prior encounters with their world. Ejiofor's character continuity highlights Copley's shift from antagonist to trusted collaborator. Veronica Ngô reprises her role as Quỳnh, the Vietnamese warrior and original member of the Old Guard who was lost to a torturous fate in the previous film and having escaped her imprisonment, now returns as a vengeful force. Ngô's portrayal sustains Quỳnh's fierce independence and deep historical ties to Andy, reinforcing the team's ancient bonds.

New cast

Uma Thurman joins the cast of The Old Guard 2 as Discord, the primary antagonist and one of the oldest known immortals, a mysterious rival figure with a hidden agenda stemming from centuries of isolation and frustration toward other immortals. Her character introduces significant conflict to the core team led by Charlize Theron's Andy, drawing on Thurman's established action pedigree from roles in films like Kill Bill, which influenced her casting to bring intensity to the antagonist's physical and emotional confrontations. Thurman was announced for the role in June 2022, emphasizing Netflix's aim to elevate the sequel's stakes with a high-profile addition experienced in genre-blending action narratives. Henry Golding portrays Tuah, a new ally to the immortal team as an ancient immortal and old acquaintance of Andy, serving as a modern recruit with expertise in archiving historical evidence of their kind, inspired by the Malaysian legend of . This role highlights Golding's integration into the franchise's dynamics, providing technological and cultural insights that contrast with the returning warriors' more combat-focused backgrounds. Announced alongside Thurman in June 2022, Golding's selection underscores a commitment to diversity, leveraging his Malaysian-British heritage to enrich the film's global representation of immortal lore.

Plot

Summary

This section contains spoilers for the plot of The Old Guard 2. The Old Guard 2 picks up after the events of the first film, with Andy () leading her team of immortal warriors—Nile (), Joe (), and Nicky ()—as they reunite following Booker's () exile for his betrayal. The team faces a new threat from (), the world's first immortal who has become mortal and now seeks to exploit the secrets of immortality by targeting the group. Complicating matters, Quỳnh (Vân Veronica Ngô), presumed lost after centuries of drowning in an iron maiden, is resurrected and initially allies with Discord, kidnapping Booker and blaming Andy for abandoning her, which strains loyalties within the team. The 107-minute film structures its narrative around high-stakes missions across and , interspersed with flashbacks to the immortals' ancient pasts that deepen character backstories and motivations. Internal conflicts arise as the team grapples with Andy's recent loss of and lingering distrust toward Booker, forcing them to confront their fractured bonds while pursuing leads on 's operations. In , Andy and Copley encounter another immortal, Tuah (), whose knowledge proves crucial, but steals ancient texts tied to , escalating the danger. The plot builds to a climactic battle at a nuclear facility, where 's ties to the origins of are revealed through her history as the of the immortals' curse, leading to intense confrontations that test the team's resilience. discovers she possesses the unique ability to remove , which aims to harness for herself. In the resolution, Booker sacrifices his immortality to restore Andy's powers, dying in the process, while Quỳnh, after a fierce reunion fight with Andy, has her immortality stripped by and chooses to side with the team. escapes with captured immortals including Joe, Nicky, Tuah, and , leaving Andy and Quỳnh with a renewed sense of purpose to rescue them. The ending sets up potential for further franchise entries with this . Unlike a direct adaptation of The Old Guard comic's Volume 2: Force Multiplied, the film incorporates original elements like the character of while drawing inspiration from the source material's lore on Quỳnh's return.

Themes and motifs

The Old Guard 2 delves into the burden of as its central theme, portraying the emotional and existential weight borne by characters who have lived for centuries, witnessing endless loss and violence. Andy's transition to mortality amplifies this burden, forcing her to confront the fragility of life she once took for granted, while Quỳnh's centuries of torment in an underscore the psychological isolation of eternal existence. The film also examines found family among outcasts, with the immortal team's strained bonds—tested by betrayal and exile—highlighting their reliance on each other as the only constants in a transient world. Additionally, it probes the of eternal life in the modern world, questioning the moral implications of immortality's potential transferability and its exploitation by corporations seeking to commodify regenerative blood for profit. Recurring motifs reinforce these ideas, including resurrection symbolism through Quỳnh's arc of repeated drowning and revival, which symbolizes the inescapable cycle of suffering tied to immortality. The contrast between aging and youth manifests in Andy's crisis of vulnerability versus Nile's emerging resilience as the newest immortal, emphasizing how time erodes even the undying. Love transcending time is evoked in the enduring partnership of Joe and Nicky, whose centuries-old romance exemplifies loyalty amid chaos, while subtextual elements in Andy and Quỳnh's reunion add layers of homoerotic tension. Building on the first film, The Old Guard 2 intensifies the psychological toll of , shifting from introductory lore to deeper explorations of guilt, trust issues, and unhealable wounds that persist despite physical regeneration. It critiques corporate exploitation of more pointedly, framing immortals as targets in a race for that echoes broader ethical dilemmas in . Screenwriter Greg Rucka's influence extends the franchise's queer representation, with Joe and Nicky's relationship serving as a beacon of normalized same-sex love in action cinema, while immortal histories infuse anti-colonial undertones by reflecting on centuries of global conflicts and exploitation through the lens of non-Western immortals like Quỳnh and Tuah.

Music

Original score

The original score for The Old Guard 2 was composed by Ruth Barrett and Steffen Thum, with production handled by , who had served in the same role for . Barrett, an Emmy-nominated composer known for her work on series such as Victoria, brought her experience in crafting emotionally resonant music to the project, while Thum contributed his hybrid approach blending orchestral elements with . The score features a predominantly orchestral style with rousing strings to evoke tension and emotion, incorporating electronic and elements to heighten the film's action and supernatural themes. Recorded with the Scoring Orchestra and conducted by Ábel Tompa, the score underscores key sequences, including motifs and intense battles, to emphasize the immortals' enduring isolation and resilience. Notable cues include "Quynh Resurrected," which accompanies the dramatic return of the character Quynh, and action-driven tracks like "Breach the House" and "Immortal Impact," seamlessly integrating with the film's to amplify visceral confrontations. The soundtrack , featuring 18 tracks, was released digitally by Music on July 1, 2025, providing a standalone listening experience that highlights the score's thematic depth without the pre-existing used elsewhere in the film. The featured in The Old Guard 2 were curated by music supervisor Aamina Gant to infuse the film with a modern pop and electronic vibe, enhancing its themes of and resilience. The incorporates seven licensed tracks, none performed by the cast, which play during key sequences such as montages reflecting the characters' eternal lives and an end-credits song that underscores the narrative's emotional closure. Among the selections, "Fils de joie" by opens the credits, setting a rhythmic tone with its blend of French and upbeat . Tracks like "Hate or Glory" by and "Roll the Credits" by feature in emotional scenes, providing introspective depth through pulsating synths and soulful vocals. Other notable inclusions are "Make It Look Easy" by for action-oriented moments, "Edamame" by bbno$ featuring for lighter transitions, "Hae Mong (Waiting For)" by during reflective interludes, and "Alcolicixbenzina" by Ibisco in a tense sequence. The featured songs are available on their original releases via platforms such as and . The film's original score is released separately as the album The Old Guard 2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film).

Release

Distribution and premiere

The Old Guard 2 was released on July 2, 2025, as an exclusive streaming title on worldwide, marking a global simultaneous launch available to subscribers in over 190 countries. Distribution for the film was managed entirely by , with no theatrical release planned, aligning with the platform's direct-to-streaming model for original productions. The rated it R for sequences of graphic violence and some language, reflecting the intense action sequences characteristic of the franchise. The took place on June 25, 2025, at the Netflix Theater in , , where cast members including , , , and attended the red carpet event alongside director . The screening highlighted the film's return to immortal warriors' battles, with post-event discussions focusing on production challenges and character arcs. incorporated standard accessibility features for the streaming release, such as closed captions and audio descriptions in multiple languages to support international viewers.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing campaign for The Old Guard 2 began in earnest in May 2025, with Netflix releasing the first official poster on May 7, which highlighted the film's high-stakes action and featured returning star Charlize Theron alongside new cast members like Uma Thurman. The following day, the official trailer debuted on Netflix's YouTube channel and Tudum platform, showcasing intense combat sequences and the immortal warriors' renewed mission against a formidable new enemy, generating immediate buzz among action and superhero fans. Key promotional efforts centered on Netflix's site, which provided exclusive photos, cast interviews, and plot teases to build anticipation ahead of the film's July 2 streaming premiere. actively engaged audiences on , sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her stunt work, including a daring helicopter sequence, to emphasize the film's practical action elements and personal investment in the role. Additionally, Netflix promoted comic tie-ins by encouraging fans to "read before you watch," tying the sequel directly to Greg Rucka's The Old Guard: Force Multiplied for deeper context on the immortals' lore. The campaign featured a robust multi-million-dollar push tailored to action and genre enthusiasts, leveraging digital platforms for wide reach without traditional theatrical tie-ins.

Reception

Critical response

The Old Guard 2 received predominantly negative reviews from critics, who often described it as an inferior to the 2020 original, hampered by pacing issues, a weak script, and underdeveloped new characters. On , the film garnered a 27% approval rating based on 109 reviews, a significant drop from the first film's 80% score, with the site's consensus noting that it is "bogged down by tedious lore and lackluster execution, [finding] this budding franchise already long in the tooth." On , it scored 44 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reception. The film's average rating on stood at 5.1 out of 10, drawn from over 41,000 user votes, though critics focused on professional analyses rather than audience sentiment. Critics frequently praised the action choreography and Charlize Theron's lead performance as Andy, highlighting her commanding presence amid the film's flaws. In a review for Variety, commended the "high-octane action highs" in sequences that showcased Theron's physicality, though he noted they were overshadowed by narrative confusion. Director Victoria Mahoney's handling of emotional scenes also drew positive mentions, with outlets like crediting her for prioritizing "subtle emotionality" in character-driven moments, such as those involving immortality's toll. Theron's commitment was further lauded by Mahoney in interviews, where the director described her as bringing "whole-hearted approach" to vulnerable interactions. However, widespread criticisms centered on the script's deficiencies, including a convoluted plot that felt rushed and incomplete, often serving as setup for a potential third installment without resolution. of called it "poorly developed and confusingly plotted, a swift and savage franchise-killer," particularly faulting the reduction of elements from and the underwhelming integration of new characters like Uma Thurman's villain. Reviews in and echoed these sentiments, with Kelechi Ehenulo labeling it a "convoluted, sequel-baiting mess" and Rendy Jones decrying it as "everything we thought the first movie would be, only worse." The film's pacing was another common complaint, with action sequences criticized for lacking the first film's intensity despite some visual appeal. Overall, The Old Guard 2 faced no major awards contention, with critics viewing it as a missed opportunity that stalled the franchise's momentum rather than advancing its innovative premise on and .

Audience response and viewership

The response to The Old Guard 2 was mixed, reflected in its 33% score on , where viewers appreciated the film's high-octane action sequences and while expressing disappointment over underdeveloped character arcs and pacing issues. Discussions among fans on online forums highlighted these divides, with some praising the stunt work and cinematography as standout elements that elevated the sequel's spectacle, but others critiquing the handling of emotional relationships and plot resolutions as rushed or inconsistent compared to the original film. Fan conversations also touched on the franchise's uncertain future, with mixed sentiments about potential further installments given the sequel's reception. In terms of viewership, The Old Guard 2 performed strongly on despite the lukewarm audience feedback, drawing 2.3 million U.S. households during its debut week from July 2 to July 6, 2025, according to data, which positioned it at the top of weekly streaming charts. Globally, the film amassed 37.5 million views and 66.8 million hours viewed in its first full week, topping 's English Films list and ranking number one in 93 countries before slipping to second place the following week. As a streaming exclusive with no theatrical , its metrics aligned with a mid-tier hit, comparable to other action sequels that generate solid but not record-breaking engagement. The release also spurred renewed interest in the original The Old Guard, boosting its viewership with an additional 9.5 million views and 20 million hours watched in the week following the sequel's premiere, propelling it to third place on Netflix's charts. buzz around #OldGuard2 peaked during the launch week, driven by fan shares of action highlights and debates over the storyline, contributing to its initial chart dominance across multiple regions.

References

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  6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2025/07/03/rotten-tomatoes-critics-crush-charlize-therons-old-guard-2/
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  45. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/old-guard-2-set-video
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  57. https://www.scifipulse.net/in-review-the-old-guard-2-netflixs-immortal-warriors-return-with-style-steel-and-just-enough-soul/
  58. https://www.autostraddle.com/the-old-guard-2-is-colossally-dull-barely-gay/
  59. https://filmmusicreporter.com/2025/07/01/the-old-guard-2-soundtrack-album-details/
  60. https://coolmusicltd.com/the-old-guard-2-scored-by-ruth-barrett-and-steffen-thum-and-score-produced-by-lorne-balfe-premieres-on-netflix-july-2nd/
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  65. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-old-guard-2-soundtrack-from-the-netflix-film/1822637393
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