The covert team of immortal mercenaries returns in The Old Guard 2, a sequel that expands the universe by turning its conflicts inward. The film, now streaming on Netflix, picks up with Andromache of Scythia, “Andy” (Charlize Theron), and her warriors continuing their centuries-long mission to protect humanity. This time, however, the stakes are profoundly personal. The team grapples with the consequences of the first film’s events: their existence is exposed, one of their own is in exile, and most critically, their seemingly eternal leader is now facing her own mortality. The central theme, underscored by the tagline “Eternity has a price,” shifts from a battle for survival against outside forces to a war for the very soul of the group, driven by past betrayals and ideological schisms.
A Fractured Family Under a Mortal Leader
The film delves into the altered dynamics of its core family of warriors. Andy’s sudden vulnerability—a key deviation from the graphic novel source material that now serves as the sequel’s narrative engine—forces a fundamental change in her leadership. With her healing abilities gone, every mission carries the weight of finality, compelling her to lead with a renewed, almost desperate sense of purpose to maximize the good she can do with her limited time. This personal crisis is reflected in her hardened demeanor and altered appearance, which includes a stark mullet.
In contrast to Andy’s decline, Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne) has ascended from a confused recruit to a fully assimilated and lethal member of the team, making the Guard more formidable. Her bond with a now-mortal Andy provides a new emotional anchor for the group. The enduring love between Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) continues to provide a center of stability and humanity amidst the growing chaos, with the sequel promising a greater focus on their relationship. Meanwhile, the traitor Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) begins the film in his century-long exile, a punishment for his past betrayal. His solitude is shattered by the arrival of a figure from Andy’s distant past, placing him on a new and precarious path. Rounding out the support system is the former CIA agent James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who has transitioned from antagonist to ally. He now serves as the team’s handler, using his intelligence resources to find their missions and help them understand the positive, historical impact of their clandestine work.
Vengeance from the Deep and the First of Their Kind
The Old Guard 2 introduces two formidable new immortal threats, each representing a different kind of war. Quynh (Veronica Ngô), Andy’s first partner, has escaped her underwater prison after 500 years of continuously drowning in an iron maiden. She returns driven by a complex storm of emotions—love, longing, hatred, and a deep sense of betrayal—with her primary focus set on finding Andy. Her centuries of torture have left her psychologically scarred, making her a volatile and deeply personal threat.
The film’s primary antagonist, however, is a new character named Discord, played by Uma Thurman. She is revealed to be “the first of the immortals,” and her conflict with Andy is ideological. Discord believes Andy and the Guard have betrayed their own kind by fighting to protect a flawed humanity. She emerges from the shadows with the intent to destroy Andy and everything she stands for, wielding a power the team has not previously encountered. This creates a multi-layered conflict where the Guard must fight a philosophical war against Discord while simultaneously navigating the emotional fallout of Quynh’s quest for revenge.
New Allies and the Unlocking of a Mystery
The sequel also introduces Henry Golding as Tuah, an old friend and fellow immortal. He is enlisted by the team to help them confront a question that has become urgent with Andy’s fading powers: the origin of their immortality. This narrative choice moves the franchise away from the ambiguity of the first film, which treated their condition as an unexplained phenomenon, and toward a more defined mythology with concrete rules and origins.
A Global Stage for an Eternal War
The film is helmed by new director Victoria Mahoney, who takes over from Gina Prince-Bythewood, with Prince-Bythewood remaining as a producer. Mahoney’s direction seeks to elevate the action sequences while ensuring they serve the growth of the characters. Greg Rucka, the creator of the original graphic novel, returns as screenwriter, maintaining a connection to the source material’s tone. The production itself was a global affair, with principal photography taking place at Italy’s historic Cinecittà Studios, along with locations in the United Kingdom and additional filming in Canada. The long road to release included overcoming a fire on the Italian set and a significant pause in post-production, a five-year journey of resilience that mirrors the endurance of its on-screen characters. The film’s conclusion addresses its immediate threats but ends on a cliffhanger that clearly sets up a third installment, positioning The Old Guard 2 as the middle chapter in a planned trilogy.
The Old Guard 2 was released on Netflix on July 2, 2025.
