The Old Guard 2 Review: Charlize Theron’s Netflix Sequel Falls Short of Expectations
After five years of silence, Netflix has finally delivered the long-awaited sequel to its 2020 action fantasy hit — but as The Old Guard 2 review headlines start pouring in, it’s clear the return hasn’t been worth the wait.
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Is the The Old Guard 2 Netflix Sequel Worth the Five-Year Wait?
Released in the chaotic summer of 2020, The Old Guard stood out from the typical Netflix blockbuster churn. Led by Charlize Theron and infused with Greg Rucka’s comic book mythology, the first film became one of the platform’s biggest launches during the pandemic. But despite its initial buzz, its cultural footprint quickly faded — and now, so has much of the audience’s memory of it.
The Old Guard 2 suffers heavily from its delayed release and a cursed post-production cycle that spanned over three years. In a move that reflects just how far the first film has slipped from public consciousness, Netflix even enlisted its stars to recap the original for new viewers. As The Old Guard 2 review consensus shows, that wasn’t enough.
The sequel brings back Theron’s Andy, who lost her immortality in the first film, but this theoretically suspenseful twist fails to add any meaningful stakes to the action. A convoluted plot reintroduces a long-lost ally (played by Ngô Thanh Vân) and pits the team against a new antagonist — a world-weary immortal portrayed by Uma Thurman. Despite the promising setup, the film stumbles through overly complex lore and underdeveloped character arcs, leading to a baffling cliffhanger ending that feels more frustrating than intriguing.
The Old Guard 2 review commentary highlights Theron as the film’s only saving grace. Her screen presence remains magnetic, but critics note that she’s been underutilized in recent years, often relegated to roles in bloated franchise content rather than the nuanced performances she’s capable of delivering.
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