The Old Guard 2 Review: A Disastrous Sequel

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Verdict: A Total Disaster

Let’s not sugarcoat this: The Old Guard 2 is a disaster.

A Stark Contrast to the Original

It’s been five years since the original dropped during the height of the pandemic—a time when discovering a surprisingly good Netflix original felt like a small miracle. The first film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, had style, swagger, and a real sense of momentum. Charlize Theron owned every frame, the cast clicked, and the action had clarity. It wasn’t perfect, but it had a pulse. This sequel? Dead on arrival.

Direction, Editing & Story: A Complete Mess

Directed by Victoria Mahoney, The Old Guard 2 feels like it was stitched together by committee. The direction is choppy, the editing rushed, and the entire thing plays like someone tried to recreate a memory of the first movie from scrambled storyboards. What’s worse: the story makes almost no sense. It throws characters into situations with zero buildup, skips over what should be emotional stakes, and moves with the narrative grace of a brick falling down stairs. Even the moments that are supposed to hit emotionally land with the weight of a shrug.

Action & Visuals: Cheap and Uninspired

There’s exactly one halfway decent fight scene—set in a narrow alley, gritty and a little more tactile—but it’s not enough to salvage anything. The rest of the action ranges from dull to embarrassing, culminating in a final showdown that’s smothered by bad green screen and clunky CGI. It’s the kind of visual mess that makes you wonder if anyone watched the dailies. The lighting doesn’t match, the staging is flat, and by the time it ends, you’re left wondering how something this expensive could feel so cheap.

Wasted Talent: Theron, Thurman & Ensemble

Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman are headliners, but you’d be forgiven for forgetting that. Thurman is given little to do and even less direction—her presence feels like a marketing bullet point rather than a meaningful addition to the cast. Theron does what she can, but the writing leaves her stranded, repeating the same brooding notes from the first film without the arc to make them matter. And then there’s the supporting ensemble, who mostly fade into the background, victims of a screenplay that mistakes cryptic for cool and convoluted for clever.

The Greatest Sin: Utter Boredom

The longer it went on, the less I cared. That might be The Old Guard 2’s greatest sin. It’s boring. It’s lifeless. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a film this bad, but this one’s a strong contender for worst of the year. I wish that felt like hyperbole. Unfortunately, it’s just sad reality.

Conclusion: A Painful Misfire

I really wanted to like this. I did like the first film. But this sequel feels like the product of delayed timelines, studio interference, and a complete misunderstanding of what made the original work. It’s not just disappointing—it’s a complete misfire. Avoid it. Immortality should never feel this tedious.

The Old Guard 2 is streaming now on Netflix

Details

• Rating Certificate: R (for sequences of graphic violence, and some language.)
• Studios & Distributors: Netflix | Skydance Media | Denver and Delilah Productions | Marc Evans Productions | Image Comics | Panorama Films | Pinella Films S.r.l
• Director: Victoria Mahoney
• Written By: Greg Rucka (screen story) | Greg Rucka (screenplay) | Sarah L. Walker (screenplay) | Gregg Rucka (based on the graphic novel series written by) | Leandro Fernandez (based on the graphic novel series illustrated by)
• Run Time: 105 Mins.
• Country: USA
• Language: English
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Release Date: 2 July 2025