Summary
The Old Guard is a film of action and fantasy released in 2020. It is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and adapted from the graphic novel by the same name created by Greg Rucka. The ancient artifacts of strong action and thoughtful romance are blended in the film. It explores themes of immortality, betrayal, sacrifice, and fighting for a world worth living in. After coming to Netflix, massive audiences watched the film praising the character development, brutal fight scenes infused with emotional driving themes, and the latest perspective they explored on superheroes.
The story focuses on a secret group of immortal warriors, also known as mercenaries, who have been part of centuries worth of fighting and packed in numerous scenarios under the name of humanity, living in the background under the public view, and being invincible. Among the leading characters, Andy (Charlize Theron) stands out. The character is short for Andromache of Scythia and is both enigmatic and battle-weary. The rest of the team includes Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli). Each of these characters is a warrior that cannot die, for when they reach terminal wounds, their body deals with the trauma and injury rapidly, giving them eternal life repeatedly.
The film opens with the team accepting a mission to rescue a group of kidnapped children in South Sudan from former CIA operative James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The mission is a set up. Copley, on behalf of a cold blooded CEO Merrick (Harry Melling) of a pharmaceutical company, has set a trap for them to obtain video footage of their regenerative abilities for capture planning. Merrick’s plan revolves around capturing them to harness their biology for commercial gain, all under the façade of advancing medical science.
While the team goes underground to regroup, another immortal “awakens”: Nile Freeman (Kiki Layne), a U.S. Marine who survives what should be a fatal throat wound during an Afghanistan mission. The psychic shift from her “death” draws the other immortals to her instinctively. Andy finds Nile, and once he does, he explains to her the life she has in store for her: perpetual solitude in a world alien to her.
Nile’s acceptance of her fate and the crippling burden of immortality does not come easy. while Andy and the rest of the team sets out to stop Merrick from attempting to capture and experiment on them. Their voyage uncovers deep emotional scars which include Booker’s struggle with the psychological grief of outliving his loved ones and Andy’s crisis over having purpose after inflicting violence for centuries.
During the climax at Merrick’s lab headquarters, the entire team executes a rescue operation. While they succeed in stopping Merrick, the emotional turmoil of the team surfaces. Booker reveals himself to be assisting Copley which constitutes betrayal of the whole team, although his reasoning stems from emotional chaos which rooted in believing that revealing their existence would lead to some form of goodness.
Choosing to look at the bright side, the film concludes with the team silently pledging to continue working towards ‘good’ under the radar. Copley agrees to aid them in maintaining secrecy and intelligence which marks him as the new ally on their unorthodox war for shadow identities. The twist at the end reveals the conflict to come where a shocked cursed screamer Quynh (Van Veronica Ngo) who, presumed lost for centuries after being pinned in an iron maiden, poured into the ocean in hopeless endless drowning, is set to meet her exploded from the group mark of exile, her former partner Andy.
Cast & Crew
Charlize Theron as Andy (Andromache of Scythia)
Under Theron’s watch, the group’s centuries-old leader comes alive. With centuries of combat behind her, Andy is both ferocious and deeply melancholic, struggling to come to terms with the meaning of her endless life. Thus, Theron, like a hawk, builds emotional nuance and quiet intensity in a sorrowful yet powerful character.
Kiki Layne as Nile Freeman
From disbeliever to a herald of acceptance, Layne serves as the audience’s guide to immortality. Her emotional transition serves as the film’s backbone. Embracing traits of stoicism with unyielding morality, she undercuts Andy’s cynical outlook, bringing some balance to the film.
Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker
Schoenaerts’ portrayal of a deeply tortured character resonates with the soul that is worn down by the very redundant cycle of living, dying, and being reborn. Though painful, his betrayal of trust adds depth to his character, raising moral dilemmas of sacrifice and redemption.
Marwan Kenzari as Joe and Luca Marinelli as Nicky
Through a loving relationship that explores deep romance, Joe and Nicky showcase the heart and humanity in the film. And their love story, woven so effortlessly into the overall narrative, was applauded for its authenticity and emotional depth in a genre that has historically neglected such bonds.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as James Copley
Ejiofor’s portrayal is a morally intricate depiction of a man struggling to find balance between his duties and his conscience, as he transforms from an antagonist into an ally.
Harry Melling as Steven Merrick
Melling gives Merrick “corporate coldness” and “untempered ambition” as the main villain of the film, portraying his character as the personification of the risks tied to reckless scientific advancement and avarice.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Though known for character-driven dramas like Love & Basketball, Prince-Bythewood applies her unique touch to the action genre. Her distinct knack for character development is evident in The Old Guard, which features hyper-violent fight scenes tempered with intimate emotional moments.
Screenplay by Greg Rucka
Rucka adapts his graphic novel with wit and soul. The film embraces the source material while offering character-building and broader appeal to the story.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
The Old Guard has a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb, indicating balanced positive reception from both critics and audiences. It was notably praised for Theron and Layne’s impressive performances, as well as the film’s profound emotional depth and grounded approach to its high-concept premise.
Critics noted the film for its innovative shift from the genre’s typical superhero motifs. Rather than concentrating on spectacle, The Old Guard contemplates the struggles that come along with immortality, solitude, and violence—particularly the violence in a soul. Furthermore, the film drew praise for its representation, notably with the inclusion of an openly gay couple at the center of the story who were treated with respect.
Fans of the action genre were impressed with the choreography and stunts, especially Theron’s fight scenes that displayed her exceptional skills in demanding roles. Some critics felt the film relied too heavily on exposition and admitted to experiencing some pacing issues in the middle act.
Conclusion
The Old Guard’s unique approach to story telling identifies it as an exceptional film within the action-fantasy genre—highlighted by more than just thrilling battle scenes with immortal fighters. It also examines philosophical reflections of time, purpose, and one’s existence. Through compelling character arcs, a positive representation of different ethnicities, and powerful narratives, it distinguishes itself from other transformering action films.
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s direction captures a new nuance in the superhero domain while The Old Guard strengthens Charlize Theron’s resume as one of the most intriguing action stars of this generation. With promise for additional storytelling, particularly the sinister return of Quynh, The Old Guard does come across as the first volume in a very powerful and deeply human saga.
The seamless blend of brutal violence and dance-like combat, with depraved yet thoughtful lore allows the film to stand as more than just a Netflix success. It cements the film’s legacy as a modern myth—a poignant narrative about dying warriors and the meaning of life.
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