The Old Guard 2 Review: Theron and Layne Return, But Netflix Sequel Lacks Punch

The Old Guard dropped on Netflix back in 2020 and felt like a jolt. It had all the tough action you’d expect from a comic book movie, but with a thoughtful heart buried under the bullets and blades. Charlize Theron’s Andy and KiKi Layne’s Nile were sharp, soulful and could take down a room full of armed goons with Bronze Age axes if needed. So when The Old Guard 2 arrived, fans expected more of the same.

Most of the gang is back. Charlize still brings that battle-worn warrior vibe. Nile is more confident now, easing into immortality’s curse. Joe and Nicky — the couple who melt hearts while mowing down thugs — get to jump back in too. The cast is stacked with fresh names like Uma Thurman and Henry Golding. But the spark feels different.

Why Does This Sequel Feel Different?

A lot of it comes down to the director’s chair. The first film was Gina Prince-Bythewood’s show. She gave the action grit and weight while letting characters breathe. She balanced swords and feelings in a way that felt new for a superhero story. This time, Victoria Mahoney steers the ship. She’s no slouch. She’s done plenty of solid TV work and handled second-unit on Star Wars. She keeps things polished and moving. But that raw punch is softer now.

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The story picks up where the last film left us. Andy’s immortality is gone. Booker’s on ice for a century for betraying the crew. CIA man Copley’s on their side now, covering their tracks. And Quynh, Andy’s old companion — maybe more — is back, salty after spending 500 years trapped in a coffin underwater. She’s ready to cause trouble.

What Still Works in The Old Guard 2?

The opening act is prime Old Guard energy. A slick arms deal at a jaw-dropping Italian villa. Joe and Nicky tearing off in vintage sports cars to stir chaos. Nile sneaking up on bad guys from the water. Andy grabbing a sword off a wall like it’s an everyday thing. The fight choreography snaps and cracks with each punch. It’s fun watching the crew do what they do best.

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New faces help too. Uma Thurman as Discord is an ancient immortal with secrets that stretch even further back than Andy’s. She’s power hungry and more than ready to pull Quynh’s strings. Henry Golding as Tuah brings an unexpected historian vibe, tracking centuries of immortal deeds.

But for all the cool additions, there’s a sense some bits are tamer. Joe and Nicky, the fan-favorite couple, feel underused. Their big, bold truck kiss from the first film? There’s nothing like that here. We get sweet moments but no fireworks. When a scene teases a kiss, we get a forehead nuzzle instead. Come on, Netflix — give the people what they want.

There’s still plenty of sword swinging and bullets flying. And when Andy and Quynh finally face off in a Roman alley, it’s gritty and personal. Both women carry centuries of betrayal and guilt, and you feel it in every hit.

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The finale swaps shadowy European backdrops for an Indonesian nuclear site. Secret labs, ticking bombs, classic action setup. But that big final clash between Andy and Discord? With Theron and Thurman, you expect sparks. Instead, it’s a little flat — not bad, just not the explosive showdown it hints at.

One thing that sticks? The heart. The Old Guard doesn’t shy away from the pain that comes with living forever. Loss, loneliness, the ache of watching the world repeat its mistakes. But at least Joe and Nicky still have each other. And Andy and Nile’s bond grows warmer, blending mentor and friend.

It’s clear this isn’t the end. There’s a cliffhanger that screams sequel setup. So maybe the real fireworks are waiting for round three. If this crew sticks together, they’ll always have another fight left in them.