The Old Guard 2 is a 2025 American superhero film directed by Victoria Mahoney, with a screenplay by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker. Based on Rucka and Leandro Fernández’s comic book, the film serves as a direct sequel to The Old Guard (2020). It stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngô, Chiwetel Ejiofor, with new additions Henry Golding and Uma Thurman.
Released globally on Netflix on July 2, 2025, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews, with critics calling it less compelling than its predecessor, though its action and new cast members drew some praise.
Plot
The story begins with the resurfacing of Quỳnh, who had been imprisoned in an iron maiden beneath the sea for centuries. Six months after Booker’s exile, Andy reunites her immortal team for a new mission.
The group learns from Tuah, an ancient immortal played by Henry Golding, that Discord (Uma Thurman), the first immortal turned arms dealer, has stolen critical texts and allied with Quỳnh. Nile is revealed to be the last immortal, capable of both stripping and restoring immortality through injury.
Events escalate when Discord’s forces seize a nuclear facility in Indonesia, threatening millions of lives. The team launches a rescue attempt, but several are captured. In a desperate act, Booker sacrifices his immortality to restore Andy’s powers, dying in the process.
Nile faces Quỳnh in the reactor, stripping her immortality, while Andy duels Discord. The villain escapes with captured teammates, vowing to regain power. The film ends with Andy and Quỳnh reluctantly uniting to pursue Discord, leaving the door open for continuation.
Cast
- Charlize Theron as Andy / Andromache of Scythia
- KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker / Sébastien Le Livre
- Marwan Kenzari as Joe / Yusuf Al-Kaysani
- Luca Marinelli as Nicky / Nicolò di Genova
- Veronica Ngô as Quỳnh
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as James Copley
- Uma Thurman as Discord
- Henry Golding as Tuah / Hang Tuah
Production
Development
Following the success of The Old Guard (2020), Netflix greenlit a sequel in January 2021. Charlize Theron confirmed her return, and Victoria Mahoney replaced Gina Prince-Bythewood as director. By mid-2022, Uma Thurman and Henry Golding joined the cast, expanding the franchise’s scope.
Filming
Principal photography began in June 2022 in Italy, with additional shoots in the United Kingdom. A set fire in August 2022 delayed production, but filming wrapped by September 2022. Post-production stalled briefly due to regime changes at Netflix in 2024, but the film was completed with extra photography that fall.
Music
The score was composed by Steffen Thum and Ruth Barrett, replacing the first film’s composers.
Release
The Old Guard 2 premiered on Netflix worldwide on July 2, 2025, with a runtime of 107 minutes.
Reception
The sequel received 27% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics citing “tedious lore and lackluster execution.” Metacritic gave it a 44/100, signaling mixed responses.
While audiences praised its fight choreography and the performances of Theron, Layne, and Thurman, many felt the story lacked the freshness of the original.
Legacy
Despite lukewarm reception, The Old Guard 2 solidified Netflix’s commitment to building a comic-based franchise. Its cliffhanger ending left room for a potential third film, though no follow-up has yet been confirmed.
