The Old Guard 2 review reveals why this 2025 action sequel struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessor. Victoria Mahoney’s competent direction cannot overcome a screenplay that feels both overstuffed and undercooked in equal measure.
What happens when you combine immortal warriors with centuries of unresolved trauma? You get mixed results. The Old Guard 2 (2025), directed by Victoria Mahoney, attempts to expand the mythology established in the beloved 2020 original while introducing new threats and complex character dynamics. This superhero action film follows Andy and her team of immortal warriors as they face their most dangerous enemy yet while grappling with betrayal, mortality, and the return of a long-lost teammate. While the film operates on familiar sequel territory, it struggles because it never quite finds its own identity—every promising moment is undermined by pacing issues and an overcrowded narrative.
Synopsis
Andy (Charlize Theron), the leader of a group of immortal warriors, continues her mission to protect humanity while dealing with her newfound mortality. When Quynh (Veronica Ngô), Andy’s former lover and teammate who was imprisoned underwater for centuries, returns seeking revenge, the team faces their greatest internal threat yet.
Meanwhile, a mysterious new enemy known as Discord (Uma Thurman) emerges as the first immortal, possessing powers that could destroy everything Andy has fought to protect. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal and new ally Tuah (Henry Golding) joining the fight, Andy must navigate complex loyalties while confronting the consequences of thousands of years of immortal existence.
Plot & Themes
The Old Guard 2 operates on an ambitious premise: exploring the psychological cost of immortality while delivering spectacular action sequences. The revenge plot serves as a framework for examining themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the weight of eternal life on the human psyche.
The film’s struggle lies in its inability to balance multiple storylines effectively. When Quynh confronts Andy about centuries of abandonment, the emotional weight feels genuine, but these moments are frequently interrupted by action sequences that feel disconnected from the character development.
Thematically, the movie attempts to explore how immortality affects relationships and moral responsibility. Andy’s journey toward mortality should provide compelling character growth, but the screenplay never fully commits to exploring these deeper implications.
Cinematography & Visuals
Director of photography captures the global scope of the immortals’ world with slick visuals that serve the action effectively. The cinematography emphasizes the contrast between ancient warriors and modern warfare, creating visually striking sequences that showcase the team’s combat skills.
The film excels in individual action sequences. The fight choreography demonstrates impressive technical execution, with each immortal’s fighting style feeling distinct and authentic. The camera work during combat scenes maintains clarity while building appropriate intensity.
However, the visual effects feel inconsistent throughout. While some sequences showcase impressive practical stunts, others rely heavily on digital effects that occasionally feel unfinished or unconvincing.
Acting & Characters
Charlize Theron delivers another solid performance as Andy, though she seems less engaged than in the original film. Her portrayal of a warrior grappling with mortality has moments of genuine emotional depth, but the script doesn’t provide enough space for her to fully explore these complex feelings.
Uma Thurman brings gravitas to Discord, though her character feels underdeveloped despite being positioned as the primary antagonist. Her scenes with Theron crackle with potential, but their confrontations never reach the emotional heights the story promises.
KiKi Layne continues to impress as Nile, providing much-needed energy and optimism to balance the team’s world-weariness. Her character represents hope for the future, though the screenplay doesn’t give her enough significant moments to shine.
Veronica Ngô delivers the film’s most compelling performance as Quynh, bringing centuries of pain and rage to her portrayal of betrayal and revenge. Her scenes with Theron carry genuine emotional weight that elevates the surrounding material.
Direction & Screenplay
Victoria Mahoney’s direction shows clear technical competence, but lacks the focused vision that made the original film successful. Coming from her work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Mahoney understood the demands of big-budget action filmmaking, but struggles to maintain the intimate character focus that made the first film resonate.
The screenplay by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker attempts to juggle multiple complex storylines:
- Andy’s journey toward mortality and its psychological implications
- Quynh’s revenge plot and centuries of unresolved trauma
- Discord’s mysterious origins and ultimate goals
- The team’s evolving dynamics and new alliances
Unfortunately, none of these storylines receives adequate development, resulting in a film that feels both rushed and overstuffed.
Sound & Music
The film’s score attempts to maintain the epic scope befitting immortal warriors, but lacks the memorable themes that would help distinguish individual characters or emotional beats. The music serves the action sequences adequately without enhancing the quieter character moments.
Sound design during combat sequences demonstrates technical proficiency, with each weapon and impact carrying appropriate weight. However, the audio mixing occasionally overwhelms dialogue during crucial emotional scenes.
The use of silence in dramatic moments shows promise but feels underutilized. Key emotional confrontations could benefit from more restrained audio design that allows performances to carry the dramatic weight.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Old Guard 2 suffers from sequel syndrome—attempting to expand its mythology while recapturing the magic of the original. While individual elements show promise, the film never coheres into a satisfying whole.
Strengths:
- Strong performances from Charlize Theron and Veronica Ngô
- Impressive practical fight choreography and stunt work
- Ambitious themes exploring immortality and moral responsibility
- Solid technical production values throughout
Weaknesses:
- Overcrowded plot that doesn’t allow storylines to breathe
- Inconsistent pacing that undermines emotional moments
- Underdeveloped villain despite Uma Thurman’s committed performance
- Visual effects that feel rushed in key sequences
This film may satisfy fans of the original looking for more immortal warrior action, but it falls short of matching its predecessor’s emotional resonance. The Old Guard 2 works best for viewers who enjoyed Wonder Woman 1984, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, or other ambitious but flawed superhero sequels.
Rating: 6.5/10
Director: Victoria Mahoney
MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence and language)
Starring: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Uma Thurman, Veronica Ngô, Henry Golding, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor
For more action sequel reviews, check out our analysis of other Netflix original films. You can also explore the film’s reception at the Internet Movie Database.
