If you want to see Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde) and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2) square off in epic hand-to-hand combat, step right up to this sequel to The Old Guard (2020), based on Greg Rucka’s graphic novel series. Like the Gina Prince-Bythewood-directed original, this one’s helmed by female director Victoria Mahoney.
The story focuses on Andromache “Andy” of Scythia (Theron), who leads a group of immortals on dangerous missions to safeguard humanity. If you haven’t seen the original, start there. The backstory is essential.
The original cast is back, including Quynh (Veronica Ngo), which we learned in the first was Andy’s centuries-long companion who was accused of witchcraft, sealed in a metal coffin, and cast into the sea to drown, reanimate, and drown again. She’s found and recused from her watery torture by Discord (Thurman), the original immortal, who apparently is no longer interested in safeguarding humanity.
It’s an entertaining supernatural action flick with fight sequences that are better than the original. Brutal ballet. Hey, it’s no award-winner, but it’s not trying to be, and the ending tees up another sequel. (105 min.)
—Glen Starkey
This article appears in Jul 10-20, 2025.