It’s been a while. Honestly, since 2020, the superhero landscape has shifted so much that it’s easy to forget when Netflix actually dropped something that didn't feel like a cookie-cutter origin story. If you’re looking to watch The Old Guard, you’re probably either catching up on the hype or trying to remember why everyone was obsessed with Charlize Theron’s labrys-swinging skills in the first place. It’s not just another "immortal warrior" flick. It’s deeper.
Greg Rucka wrote the graphic novel, and then he wrote the screenplay. That’s why it feels so cohesive. You’ve got Andy—short for Andromache of Scythia—who has been alive for millennia. She’s tired. You can see it in her eyes. Theron plays her with this bone-deep exhaustion that makes the action scenes feel heavy, not just flashy.
What People Get Wrong About the Immortality in The Old Guard
Most people assume immortality in movies means you’re a god. Think Superman or Wolverine. But here? It’s a glitch. A temporary one.
The central hook that makes people want to watch The Old Guard is the terrifying uncertainty of their "gift." They heal from everything—until they don't. One day, the wounds just stop closing. That’s it. No warning. No ritual. Just the end. This creates a psychological tension you don’t get in the MCU. When Nile, the new recruit played by KiKi Layne, joins the squad, she isn't just learning how to shoot; she’s learning how to live with the fact that she might die tomorrow or in three thousand years.
The stakes are personal. Take the character of Quynh. Her backstory is probably the most disturbing thing Netflix has put in a mainstream action movie. She was stuffed into an iron maiden and dropped into the ocean centuries ago. Imagine drowning, dying, waking up, and drowning again for five hundred years. That’s the dark side of the lore that keeps fans checking IMDB every week for sequel news.
The Action Choreography Isn't Just For Show
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood did something interesting here. She didn't want the "floaty" wirework you see in many big-budget hits. Instead, the team used a mix of ancient and modern combat. Since Andy has fought in every war since the Bronze Age, her movements are a bizarre, lethal blend of tactical firearm transitions and ancient Greek wrestling.
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It's messy. It’s loud.
When you sit down to watch The Old Guard, pay attention to the church fight. It isn't choreographed like a dance; it's choreographed like a job. These people have worked together for centuries. They move in sync without looking at each other. Joe and Nicky—the heart of the film—provide a tactical cover for each other that feels earned. It's the kind of chemistry that only comes from being together since the Crusades.
The Cultural Impact and Why It Ranks So High
Netflix reported that the film hit 72 million households in its first four weeks. That’s a massive number. But why?
- The Romance: Joe and Nicky. Their speech in the back of the van isn't just "good for a superhero movie." It’s one of the most romantic sequences in modern cinema, period.
- Representation: It wasn't "forced." It just was. You had a Black woman as the co-lead and a gay couple who are the toughest guys in the room.
- The Music: The soundtrack by Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka, combined with contemporary tracks, gives it a grounded, indie feel despite the $70 million budget.
There’s a specific grit to the locations, too. Moving from Morocco to the UK to France, the film avoids the "green screen" look that plagues modern blockbusters. It feels tactile. You can almost smell the dust in the abandoned ruins.
Where is the Sequel?
People are getting restless. Victoria Mahoney was tapped to direct The Old Guard 2, and we know filming happened in Italy and the UK. Production wrapped a while ago, but post-production on these things is a beast.
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If you decide to watch The Old Guard now, you're catching the setup for what promises to be a much darker second chapter. The mid-credits scene—no spoilers, but it involves a glass of water and a very angry immortal—is the ultimate cliffhanger. It changes the dynamic from "us against the world" to "us against our past."
The wait has been long. Some of that was the strike, some was scheduling. But the demand hasn't dipped.
The Logistics of Immortality: Real World Ties
Rucka didn't just pull these names out of a hat. Andromache of Scythia ties back to ancient myths. Scythians were known for their female warriors, often cited as the inspiration for the Amazons. By grounding Andy in a real historical culture known for its nomadic warfare, the movie gains a layer of "could-this-be-real" texture.
When the group gets captured by Merrick—the stereotypical but effective Big Pharma villain—it highlights a real-world fear: the commodification of the human body. He doesn't want to kill them; he wants to harvest them. He wants to map their DNA to sell "immortality" to the highest bidder. It’s a cynical, modern take on the fountain of youth.
If you’re going to watch The Old Guard, keep an eye on how the film treats technology. These warriors are terrible at hiding in the digital age. In the 1700s, they could disappear into a forest. In 2026, there are cameras everywhere. Facial recognition is their greatest enemy. This adds a layer of "techno-thriller" to the fantasy elements.
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How to Get the Best Experience Watching
Don't just have this on in the background while you're scrolling on your phone. You'll miss the subtle stuff.
- Check the sound system: The sound design on the gunshots is punchy and realistic.
- Watch the credits: The montage of historical photos showing the team throughout history is some of the best world-building in the movie. It shows them in the US Civil War, the French Revolution, and various 20th-century conflicts.
- Read the Comic: If the movie finishes and you’re still craving more, "The Old Guard: Force Multiplied" picks up exactly where the film ends and goes even harder into the tragedy of their lives.
Honestly, the film holds up. Even with the flood of content we’ve had since its release, the emotional core of a "found family" that literally cannot leave each other is a powerful hook. It’s about the burden of memory. Andy remembers everyone she’s ever lost, and after thousands of years, that weight is astronomical.
To truly understand the hype, you just have to see it. It’s on Netflix. It’s two hours. It’s worth it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Stream it on Netflix: Ensure your settings are on 4K if available, as the cinematography in the desert sequences is stunning.
- Track the Sequel: Follow Victoria Mahoney or the official Netflix "Tudum" site for the definitive release date of the sequel, which is expected to drop within the next year.
- Explore the Source Material: Pick up the "The Old Guard" collected editions by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández to see the original visual style that inspired the film’s gritty aesthetic.