In "The Old Guard 2," Andy and her elite team of immortal warriors return with unwavering determination to confront new challenges that test their unity and resilience. Having faced countless battles throughout centuries, these ageless protectors continue their covert mission to safeguard humanity from hidden threats that ordinary people cannot perceive.
As a formidable new adversary emerges, possessing both strategic cunning and ruthless strength, Andy and her team find themselves grappling with unforeseen dangers that threaten not only their mission but also their very existence. Their immortal nature becomes both a blessing and a curse as they navigate complex moral dilemmas and the toll of endless combat.
Amidst intense action and gripping drama, "The Old Guard 2" delves deeper into the bonds between these warriors, exploring their personal histories and the sacrifices they have made. Together, they must harness their unique abilities and unbreakable camaraderie to overcome insurmountable odds and continue their age-old vigil to protect humanity from the shadows.
Critics' Reviews
37
In the film’s big, whirling opening, Charlize Theron (playing the now-mortal Andy) storms a garish Italian villa where shadowy arms dealers are loading weapons. As a distraction, Andy dispatches Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), the franchise’s lovable queer couple, to pull some of these goons into a winding car chase. James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Andy’s former adversary turned teammate, raids the villa with her. Some swift editing by Matthew Schmidt (“Captain America: Brave New World“) and active camerawork by Barry Ackroyd (“The Hurt Locker”) effortlessly capture the melee within the mansion, which culminates in Nile (KiKi Layne) crashing a speedboat through a window. It’s an intense, well-choreographed scene that, unlike the rest of the film, shows an even interest in the entire ensemble.
40
The original struck a nice balance between action and the complexities of living an immortal life. Yet the same can’t be said for its grudge-match sequel. It severely lacks focus, split as it is between the revenge quest of former friend Quynh (Veronica Ngô), the disdain for humanity from original immortal Discord (Uma Thurman), and new lore surrounding Nile’s powers. The question of whether Andy can regain her immortality is dangled, too. But what it accomplishes is barely a movie. It’s an unfinished concept underpinned by soap-opera dramatics, and for every emotional beat posed, there is a bizarre, rushed set-up for ‘The Old Guard 3’.
Main Cast of The Old Guard 2
Charlize Theron
Andromache of Scythia / Andy
In '
The Old Guard 2,' Charlize Theron delivers a compelling performance as Andromache of Scythia, also known as Andy, seamlessly blending toughness with vulnerability. Her portrayal deepens the complexity of the immortal warrior, showcasing a balance of fierce combat skills and poignant emotional depth, which contrasts with some of her previous iconic roles such as the fierce Furiosa in '
Mad Max: Fury Road' and the chilling serial killer Aileen Wuornos in '
Monster.' A trivia fact about Theron's role in 'The Old Guard' series is that she performed many of her own stunts, highlighting her commitment to authenticity and physicality in action roles.
KiKi Layne
Nile Freeman
Fans of KiKi Layne will appreciate her role in "
The Old Guard 2" as it showcases her strong, determined presence, combining action-packed sequences with deep emotional layers, much like her breakout performance in "
If Beale Street Could Talk." While her earlier role focused on poignant drama and tender storytelling, "The Old Guard 2" allows her to explore a more physical, heroic character, highlighting her versatility as an actress. An interesting detail about her casting in "The Old Guard 2" is that KiKi Layne underwent extensive combat training to authentically perform the complex fight choreography, demonstrating her commitment to bringing realism and intensity to the character.
Crew of The Old Guard 2
Full backstage crew list →
