What the Hell Happened to The Old Guard 2?

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In the summer of 2020, during the pandemic disruption, when theaters were shuttered and major film franchises avoided release dates, Netflix’s superhero movie “The Old Guard” found itself as the sole contender. Fortunately, this film turned out to be exceptional. Based on a cult comic by Greg Rucka and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it chronicled a team of immortal mercenaries. These characters could withstand severe injuries, yet miraculously recover after battles. The action was impressive, but what truly set “The Old Guard” apart was Prince-Bythewood’s focus on the subtle aspects – delving into the emotional and atmospheric intricacies of living among beings who have existed for centuries, sometimes even millennia. “The Old Guard” featured numerous creative and refined fight scenes, but it was also introspective, thoughtful, tormented, and moody – it had a distinct character and spirit. It wasn’t merely a substitute for the temporarily absent superhero blockbuster; it paved a promising new direction for action films.

Five years after the initial release, we now have “The Old Guard 2“, directed by Victoria Mahoney. Despite being given the green light shortly following the debut film, it faced various setbacks and wasn’t released until recently (production was reportedly completed in 2022). This delay might confuse those who may have forgotten about “The Old Guard” or chose not to watch it initially, as this sequel continues directly from where the first movie ended. The narrative begins with the recovery of an ancient iron maiden containing Quynh (Veronica Ngo), who was thrown into the sea centuries ago. She, of course, was a former partner and fellow warrior to Andromache, also known as Andy (Charlize Theron), our group’s apparent immortal leader. The appearance of Quynh was hinted at in the closing scenes of the first film, where her tale added a somber depth to Andy, who was tormented by guilt over her inability to locate her. Keep in mind that these beings cannot die, but they do feel and experience pain, so Quynh was trapped at the bottom of the sea, repeatedly drowning and reviving, hundreds of times a day for hundreds of years. The implication was that she had lost her sanity in unimaginable ways beneath the waves.

In “The Old Guard 2”, Quynh appears noticeably agitated that none of her comrades attempted to save her from an endless watery existence – despite Andy’s prolonged search for her. However, it is slightly disheartening that Quynh doesn’t display signs of extreme mental instability as one might expect, given the circumstances. Instead, she’s merely extremely angry. This may seem like a minor issue, but it’s emblematic of “The Old Guard 2”, a film filled with insufficient developments and underdeveloped character aspects.

In essence, this sequel maintains the core themes from the initial installment, centering on these peculiar characters and their relationships. You might recall (if your memory serves), by the climax of the prior episode, Andy learned that her powers had ceased to exist, leaving her vulnerable to permanent injury or death. Furthermore, Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Andy’s former comrade who was once a Napoleonic army officer grappling with the psychological repercussions of immortality, had betrayed the group and was exiled. To further complicate matters, the romantic pairing of Yusuf (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicolo (Luca Marinelli), whose century-spanning romance was a captivating element in the previous film (they perished in battle before rekindling their love), are now considering a temporary separation.

In this tumultuous scenario, an enigmatic immortal named Discord (portrayed by Uma Thurman) makes an appearance, harboring ominous intentions towards our protagonists and boasting a sizable force. With the return of vengeful Quynh, The Old Guard 2 kicks off with some potential, offering an initial action sequence brimming with thrilling car and motorcycle stunts. However, the storyline and its delivery are two distinct entities, and the sequel seems to find it challenging to maintain this balance. To be frank, it hardly makes an effort. Be cautious about the mention of Uma Thurman, as her role in this film is rather limited.

The film seems to be held back by a lack of financial investment, giving an impression at times as if it’s a preliminary version of “The Old Guard 2”. A noteworthy long shot, where Andy walks down the street to meet Quynh after many years apart, has potential but is executed so poorly that the impact is lost. As Quynh walks, she appears to traverse centuries, with other characters from different time periods briefly appearing in period costumes around her, creating a corridor of memories. This concept could have added depth to their reunion, but the execution is awkward and lacks fluidity. Another new character, Tuah (Henry Golding), who is an intellectual immortal, mostly interacts in what looks like the most artificial-looking library I’ve ever seen. Key characters are absent from the narrative, important plot points are resolved too hastily, promising conflicts either disappear or are swiftly resolved.

An American Saga — Chapter One.” However, “The Old Guard 2” seems to prioritize setting up for a sequel over resolving the current story, which leaves the audience feeling unsatisfied and confused. This is particularly surprising given the lackluster action climax that precedes the abrupt ending. It’s possible that a full, satisfying conclusion was initially planned but was cut, or perhaps this was the plan all along – to create a pilot for a TV series. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem very well-executed.

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2025-07-02 18:54