RIOTUS

Madness is a symptom of immortality, we’ve learned that everywhere from Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter books to The Highlander movies. The second in the franchise, The Old Guard 2, adds vengeance to the mix of betrayal and immortal madness. Directed by Victoria Mahoney, who takes the reins from Gina Prince-Bythewood, the sequel returns to the graphic novels by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernández, while expanding the lore and emotional stakes from the first film. Rucka and Sarah L. Walker teamed up on the script, building on the character work and explosive action. The first The Old Guard popped off on Netflix, with over 78 million streams in its first month, thanks to its gritty action, multi-faceted cast, and fresh take on the superhero genre. Now, the sequel goes deeper into their universe with Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, and the rest of the immortal crew returning, joined by Uma Thurman and Henry Golding.

The story begins with a stormy rescue as Thurman’s Discord pulls Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out of the ocean’s depths and the iron maiden that’s been her prison for centuries. We’re not sure of Discord’s motives, but the rescue unleashes a force of vengeance. Andy (Theron), now grappling with her new mortality, leads a team that’s still reeling from the loss of Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts). They’re back in action with Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Copley as a ride-along, and their bond is as sharp as ever, but they’re haunted by the past. With the appearance of Discord and Quynh, we wonder if the Guard’s secrets can be exploited.

Described as “500 years in the making,” the bad blood between Andy, also known as Andromache, and Quynh adds another deeply personal layer to the story. While Golding’s Tuah, an immortal librarian who might have a gift for prophecy, teaches us more about immortal mythology. The team’s camaraderie remains a highlight, with Nile (Layne) stepping into her role as Andy’s protégé and younger sister-figure, and Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) continuing to charm as the franchise’s heart. With its mix of high-risk global missions, existential quests for purpose, and visceral action, The Old Guard 2 is as much about relationships as it is about down-and-dirty heroics. And yet the story feels thin, lacking the dimension that made the first one pop.

Andy’s mortality doesn’t make her vulnerable in the way we’d expect. Instead, it forces her to confront the guilt of failing the others. To this point, one standout sequence follows her through an alley, each step transporting us through memories of her immortal family—it’s an effective visual that captures the weight of time and connection. Victoria Mahoney’s direction balances the grit of the first film with a slightly more fantastical scope, including splashy injuries and healing sequences that highlight the Guard’s skills and abilities. While the handheld camerawork in the opening sequences is wobbly, the hand-to-hand combat is an ultra-violent delight that’ll make you want to rewind to catch every burst of lethal choreography.

With its woman-forward plot, expanded lore, a cast that oozes charisma, and a brutal battle between Thurman and Theron, The Old Guard 2 sets the table for a franchise that questions the weight of friendship and what gives a long life meaning. Theron’s Andy, Layne’s Nile, and Ngô’s Quynh anchor the emotional and physical stakes, while Thurman’s Discord adds mystery. Quynh’s return is a reminder of the hell she endured, giving us more room to understand her rage. That helps when the story feels underdone and you wonder what’s missing—or why this needed to be dragged out into a cliffhanger. However, the relationships shine throughout, from Andy and Nile’s evolving big sister-little sister dynamic, to the steady centuries-old love between Joe and Nicky, and what Booker and Copley mean to the group from opposite sides of the equation. The Old Guard 2 is a lore-expanding, friendship-everlasting, action fest that seeks meaning on and off the screen. The cast is magnetic, the fights are fierce, and this franchise is just getting started… (take that as a hint so it doesn’t leave you hanging)