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Old Guard

The Old Guard (Vieille Garde) was the premier veteran infantry formation of Napoleon Bonaparte's Imperial Guard, comprising regiments of battle-hardened soldiers selected for their minimum ten years of service, multiple wounds in action, and heroic conduct across campaigns.^[1] These elite troops, averaging around 35 years of age amid a era of shorter lifespans, formed the core of the Guard's Old Guard division, distinguished from the Middle and Young Guards by their seniority and exclusivity.^[2] Renowned for unyielding discipline, loyalty to the Emperor, and tactical restraint, the Old Guard functioned primarily as a strategic reserve, committed only in pivotal moments to shatter enemy lines or shield retreats, thereby preserving their aura of invincibility until their storied last stand at Waterloo in 1815.^[3]^[4] Their defining privileges included superior pay, rations, equipment, bearskin headdresses, and the unique allowance for beards, fostering a cohesive brotherhood that symbolized imperial prestige and combat supremacy.^[4] This historical exemplar of veteran elitism later inspired the broader term "old guard" for entrenched, conservative factions resisting change within organizations or politics.^[5]

Comics

Publication History

The Old Guard comic series, written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernández, was first published by Image Comics as a five-issue limited series beginning with issue #1 on February 22, 2017.^[6]^[7] The storyline, titled Opening Fire, concluded with issue #5 in June 2017, exploring the core premise of immortal warriors facing modern threats.^[8] The collected edition of this arc, The Old Guard Book One: Opening Fire, was released on August 29, 2017, compiling all five issues into a single volume of approximately 152 pages.^[9] The series continued with a second five-issue miniseries, The Old Guard: Force Multiplied, launching on December 18, 2019, and expanding on the protagonists' conflicts involving human trafficking and internal team dynamics.^[10] This arc concluded in mid-2020, with its trade paperback collection, The Old Guard Book Two: Force Multiplied, published on September 16, 2020, spanning 168 pages.^[11] In 2021, Image Comics released The Old Guard: Tales Through Time, a six-issue anthology miniseries (#1–6) from April 21 to September 2021, featuring short stories by Rucka, Fernández, and additional contributors like Vita Ayala, focusing on historical vignettes of the immortals.^[12]^[13] The collected edition appeared on December 15, 2021, in a 184-page trade paperback.^[13] As of 2025, no further mainline volumes have been published, though a hardcover edition collecting the first volume was issued on July 2, 2025.^[14] All releases maintained Image Comics' creator-owned model, with standard issue pricing at $3.99.^[15]

Core Narrative and Characters

The Old Guard comic series chronicles the exploits of a clandestine group of immortal warriors who regenerate from fatal injuries and do not age, having fought in conflicts across millennia while serving as mercenaries for morally defensible causes. Led by Andromache of Scythia, known as Andy, the group operates in the modern era but faces existential weariness from their unending lives, with immortality portrayed as a burdensome curse rather than a gift. The core narrative unfolds in the 21st century, where the Old Guard's secrecy unravels upon encountering Nile Freeman, a U.S. Marine corporal who discovers her immortality after surviving decapitation during a deployment in Afghanistan in the 2010s; this event coincides with threats from a pharmaceutical executive aiming to capture and dissect them for regenerative research, forcing the team to confront both external exploitation and internal fractures stemming from historical losses and betrayals.^[9]^[16] The series emphasizes the psychological and relational dynamics among immortals, who form bonds forged in shared trauma across eras, yet grapple with isolation as mortals age and die. In Opening Fire (2017), the inaugural miniseries, the narrative establishes their recruitment of Nile amid a botched mission exposing their vulnerabilities, while Force Multiplied (2019) delves deeper into past schisms, including the disappearance of a former member buried alive centuries prior. Subsequent anthology Tales Through Time (2021) expands on their historical vignettes, reinforcing themes of endurance through violence without resolving the enigma of their immortality's origin.^[16] Andromache of Scythia (Andy) serves as the de facto leader, originating as a warrior from Central Eurasia around 4700 B.C., predating recorded history and having fought alongside figures like Achilles in the Trojan War; over 6,000 years, she has lost companions such as Lykon and experienced the erosion of her once-unshakable resolve, now questioning the value of their interventions.^[16] Nile Freeman, the newest recruit, is a Black American Marine from the early 21st century whose rapid healing post-Afghanistan catapults her into the group's world, where she navigates moral dilemmas of eternal warfare and abandonment of her prior life.^[16] Yusuf Al-Kaysani (Joe) and Nicolò di Genova (Nicky), immortal lovers who met as adversaries during the First Crusade around 1099 A.D.—Joe as a Muslim soldier and Nicky as a Genoese crusader—embody enduring partnership, having sustained their relationship through centuries of mutual resurrection despite initial enmity turned devotion.^[16] Sébastien Le Livre (Booker), a Frenchman rendered immortal during Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia after execution by hanging, brings a perspective shaped by personal tragedies including the deaths of his four sons, who viewed his survival as unnatural; his role involves reconnaissance but introduces tensions from differing views on their purpose.^[16] Quynh (also Noriko or The Turk), an early immortal ally captured and imprisoned in an iron maiden-like coffin by European authorities in the 18th century after aiding Vietnamese resistance, represents the perils of their existence; her prolonged torment alters her allegiance in later arcs, highlighting the limits of resilience.^[16]

Film Adaptations

Development of the Franchise

In March 2017, Skydance Media acquired the film rights to The Old Guard comic series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, with Rucka attached to adapt the screenplay.^[17] The project initially aimed for a theatrical release, emphasizing the story's female-led action elements centered on immortal warriors.^[18] By February 2019, Netflix secured the rights from Skydance, fast-tracking development with Charlize Theron cast as Andy (Andromache of Scythia) and Gina Prince-Bythewood hired to direct, marking her entry into major superhero adaptations.^[19] Rucka revised the script to incorporate Theron's input on character depth and action sequences, while principal photography began in October 2019 across Morocco, representing historical battlefields.^[20] The first film premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2020, achieving viewership from over 72 million member households in its first month, prompting immediate sequel discussions.^[21] Netflix greenlit The Old Guard 2 in late 2020, retaining Rucka for scripting and expanding the narrative to explore further comic arcs involving moral dilemmas of immortality.^[22] Development stalled amid scheduling conflicts and post-production revisions, with original director Prince-Bythewood stepping back; Victoria Mahoney was announced as director in 2023, citing the delay to refine plot logic and character arcs amid franchise ambitions.^[23] Filming wrapped by early 2024, leading to a July 2, 2025, release, though reports indicated challenges in balancing action spectacle with philosophical undertones, setting up potential for a third installment.^[24]^[25] The franchise's evolution reflects Netflix's strategy to build serialized IP from comics, prioritizing ensemble dynamics and historical interventions over standalone origins.

The Old Guard (2020)

The Old Guard is a 2020 American action fantasy film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood in her first foray into superhero-style cinema, adapted from the Image Comics series of the same name created by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández.^[26] The screenplay, written by Rucka himself, follows a group of near-immortal mercenaries led by the ancient warrior Andromache of Scythia, known as Andy (Charlize Theron), who alongside companions Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) undertake covert missions to safeguard humanity across centuries.^[27] The narrative introduces Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne), a U.S. Marine who discovers her own immortality and joins the group amid pursuit by a pharmaceutical executive (Harry Melling) seeking to exploit their regenerative abilities for profit.^[26] Supporting roles include Chiwetel Ejiofor as CIA agent James Copley and Veronica Ngô as Quynh, a lost member of the guard.^[27] Principal photography occurred from October 2019 to December 2019 in Morocco, England, and Georgia, with production handled by Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah Productions, and Netflix under producers including Theron, Rucka, and Beth Kono.^[28] The film remains largely faithful to the first volume of the comic, retaining core elements such as the immortals' regenerative powers, their historical bonds forged in conflict (including Joe and Nicky's origins as Crusader-era enemies turned lovers), and ethical dilemmas over endless violence.^[29] Key adaptations include streamlining the plot for cinematic pacing, expanding Nile's Marine backstory to emphasize her modern military discipline, and altering certain action sequences for visual effects integration, though Rucka ensured the script preserved the source's focus on character-driven realism over exaggerated superhero tropes.^[30] Differences are minor, such as the comic's more graphic violence and explicit historical flashbacks, which the film tones down for broader accessibility while maintaining the theme of immortality's psychological toll, including Andy's emerging mortality.^[31] Theron's portrayal draws on her action-heroine experience from films like Atomic Blonde, with choreography emphasizing practical stunts and tactical combat over CGI spectacle.^[26] Released directly to Netflix on July 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic's theater closures, the film achieved significant viewership, reaching 78 million households in its first four weeks, ranking among Netflix's top original films at the time.^[32] It received 5 awards and 24 nominations, including Saturn Award nods for Theron as Best Actress in an Action Film and the ensemble cast.^[33] Critically, it holds an 80% approval rating from 288 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for its fight choreography, Theron's commanding presence, and representation of enduring queer romance between Joe and Nicky, though some critiques noted a formulaic plot and underdeveloped supporting characters.^[34] On Metacritic, it scores 70 out of 100 from 45 critics, indicating generally favorable reception for its grounded take on immortality amid action-heavy peers.^[35] Audience scores are mixed, at 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5.9 on Metacritic, reflecting appreciation for spectacle but frustration with pacing in quieter moments.^[34] The adaptation's success prompted announcements for sequels, underscoring its role in expanding comic-to-streaming franchises.^[36]

The Old Guard 2 (2025)

The Old Guard 2 is a 2025 American superhero action film directed by Victoria Mahoney from a screenplay by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker, serving as a sequel to the 2020 film The Old Guard.^[37] The story continues the narrative of immortal warriors led by Andromache of Scythia (Andy), confronting a new powerful enemy that endangers their secretive existence and mission to safeguard humanity, while dealing with the return of a long-lost immortal ally.^[37] The film runs 107 minutes and was produced by Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah Productions, and Pilot Wave, with key producers including A.J. Dix, Charlize Theron, and Gina Prince-Bythewood.^[25] Principal cast reprises roles from the first film, with Charlize Theron as Andy, KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman, Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker, Marwan Kenzari as Joe, and Luca Marinelli as Nicky.^[38] Additional supporting roles feature Veronica Ngo as Quynh and newcomers including Henry Golding in an undisclosed antagonistic capacity, expanding the ensemble of ancient immortals facing modern threats.^[22] Development began when Netflix greenlit the sequel on January 27, 2021, shortly after the original's release, with Rucka returning to adapt elements from the comic series while introducing original plotlines.^[25] Principal photography commenced in 2022 but faced multiple delays due to script revisions and scheduling conflicts, including rumored reshoots in early 2025 amid post-production challenges.^[39] Mahoney, known for episodes of The Mandalorian, was announced as director in 2023, shifting from Prince-Bythewood's involvement in the first film.^[37] The production budget was estimated at $80–100 million, reflecting extensive action sequences and visual effects for immortal combat scenes.^[40] The film premiered exclusively on Netflix on July 2, 2025, following a trailer release on May 8, 2025, which highlighted the team's renewed purpose against escalating global perils.^[41] Critical reception has been mixed to negative, with a 27% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 109 reviews, citing repetitive action and underdeveloped character arcs despite strong performances from Theron.^[42] On IMDb, it holds a 5.1/10 rating from over 40,000 users, with praise for fight choreography but criticism for pacing issues and narrative familiarity.^[37] Audience scores reflect similar divisions, with some appreciating the expansion of the immortal lore while others noted it failed to innovate beyond the original's formula.^[42] Director Mahoney confirmed post-release that she would not helm a potential third installment.^[43]

Themes and Analysis

Immortality and Moral Fatigue

In The Old Guard series, immortality imposes a severe psychological burden on its bearers, leading to what has been described as moral fatigue: a profound existential weariness arising from the relentless accumulation of trauma, loss, and ethical erosion over millennia. This condition manifests as disillusionment, cynicism, and a diminishing will to engage with humanity's recurring cycles of violence and suffering, without the release of death. Creator Greg Rucka portrays immortality not as a gift but as an unexplained curse that traps individuals in endless vigilance, fostering isolation and depression as they outlive companions and witness history's futility.^[9]^[44] Andromache of Scythia (Andy), the group's ancient leader who has lived for over 6,000 years, embodies this fatigue most acutely. Having fought in countless wars from antiquity to the present, she grapples with the moral weight of perpetual killing, even when justified, and the grief of losing mortal allies and fellow immortals like Lykon and Quynh. In the comics, her leadership frays under the strain of isolation, prompting reflections on whether endless life erodes one's capacity for hope or ethical conviction.^[45] The 2020 film adaptation amplifies this through Charlize Theron's portrayal, emphasizing Andy's physical and emotional exhaustion—evident in her reluctance to recruit new immortal Nile Freeman and her admission that "maybe it's time to stop"—as solitude and battle fatigue culminate in a crisis of purpose.^[46]^[45] Other immortals exhibit parallel symptoms: Quynh's centuries of drowning torture breed unyielding rage, while Booker's betrayal stems from grief-induced despair after his daughter's death, highlighting how immortality amplifies personal losses into moral paralysis. Rucka draws on first-hand soldierly experience to ground these themes, suggesting that without mortality's finality, warriors confront an unending moral ledger that risks numbing empathy and resolve.^[47] The 2025 sequel The Old Guard 2 extends this exploration by depicting Andy's loss of immortality—triggered by a wound from Nile—as a potential antidote to fatigue, shifting her from weary invincibility to vulnerable agency and underscoring the narrative's causal view that eternal life, absent choice, corrodes the human spirit.^[48]^[49]

Ethical Use of Force and Historical Interventions

The Old Guard's immortals deploy lethal force selectively, intervening in conflicts to safeguard innocents or advance perceived moral imperatives, often as covert mercenaries unbound by national allegiances. This approach stems from their accumulated experience across millennia, where they prioritize humanitarian outcomes over ideological purity, though their actions remain inherently violent and vigilante in nature.^[50] In Greg Rucka's narrative, such interventions reflect a pragmatic calculus: their immortality grants tactical superiority, enabling high-risk operations, but demands restraint to avoid exposing their existence or perpetuating cycles of retribution.^[51] Historical engagements underscore this ethic, with leader Andromache of Scythia (Andy) participating in battles spanning six millennia, from ancient Scythian tribal wars to medieval and modern eras, always framing violence as defensive or restorative.^[51] For instance, Andy and Quỳnh waged thousands of joint campaigns before Quỳnh's imprisonment during England's witch trials around 500 years ago, targeting oppressors in pre-modern atrocities.^[52] Similarly, Yusuf Al-Kaysani (Joe) and Nicolo di Genova (Nicky) originated as adversaries in the First Crusade circa 1096–1099, repeatedly killing and resurrecting each other amid religious warfare, eventually allying against mutual foes.^[51] ^[52] Sébastien le Livre (Booker) joined after fighting in Napoleon's Grand Armée during the early 19th century, bringing a post-Enlightenment perspective to the group's operations.^[51] These episodes illustrate a pattern of aligning with underdogs or ethical causes, such as implied anti-fascist efforts in the 20th century, though Rucka emphasizes the interventions' imperfection amid war's chaos.^[50] Yet immortality erodes the ethical foundation of such force, engendering profound moral fatigue as repeated victories yield no permanent progress against humanity's recurrent barbarism. Andy, the eldest, embodies this crisis, withdrawing from combat due to disillusionment after witnessing endless repetitions of atrocity despite interventions.^[51] ^[52] Rucka portrays violence not as heroic spectacle but as a burdensome necessity, fraught with ambiguity: the immortals kill decisively—e.g., Andy's axe strike against antagonists—but grapple with its futility, as survival deprives them of death's closure and amplifies grief over mortal losses.^[50] This tension manifests in internal debates, where force's short-term efficacy clashes with long-term despair, prompting questions about whether eternal warriors exacerbate or merely witness humanity's flaws.^[51] Ultimately, the narrative critiques unchecked interventionism, advocating humility in wielding power amid uncertain moral landscapes.^[50]

Representation, Diversity, and Critiques

The Old Guard features a core ensemble of immortal mercenaries characterized by ethnic, national, and sexual diversity, reflecting the global scope of their millennia-spanning existence. Andromache of Scythia (Andy), the ancient leader depicted as a battle-hardened warrior of indeterminate European origins, commands a team including Quynh (Vietnamese), Booker (French), Nile Freeman (African American U.S. Marine), and the lovers Yusuf Al-Kaysani (Arab) and Nicolò di Genova (Italian). This composition spans continents and eras, with characters' backgrounds informing their historical interventions without dominating the narrative. Creator Greg Rucka designed the group to embody "a breadth and depth of diversity," aiming to avoid any audience segment feeling unrepresented.^[53] Sexual orientation representation centers on Joe and Nicky, former Crusader-era enemies whose romantic partnership endures centuries of conflict, portrayed as resilient and normalized rather than tragic or tokenistic. Their relationship explicitly rejects the "bury your gays" trope common in media, with Joe declaring, "We’ve spent six hundred years looking into each other’s eyes," underscoring mutual commitment amid violence. Rucka emphasized this depiction's intent to show a "perfectly happy" queer bond unlikely in historical contexts, integrated organically into action sequences without halting the plot for exposition.^[53]^[54] The 2020 film adaptation retains this, earning praise for handling LGBTQ elements "seamlessly" alongside racial and gender inclusion, led by female protagonists Andy and Nile.^[55] Critiques of representation have focused less on the main series than on ancillary materials, such as the 2021 Tales Through Time anthology covers, which drew accusations of racist imagery and cultural appropriation for depicting characters in historical garb perceived as stereotypical or insensitive.^[56] Broader analyses question the ensemble's neocolonial undertones, arguing that their interventions—often militaristic—reinforce ethical tensions in diverse, immortal agents imposing modern values on past eras, though this intersects more with thematic militarism than diversity per se.^[57] Reviews generally affirm the diversity as unforced, with racial variety "never once feel[ing] forced or pandering," prioritizing character humanity over identity signaling.^[58] Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor highlighted the cast's inclusivity as a "marker" for evolving Hollywood narratives, though such endorsements reflect industry trends favoring visible diversity.^[59]

Reception and Impact

Comics Reception

The Old Guard comic series, written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernández, received generally positive critical reception upon its debut in 2017, with reviewers praising its exploration of immortality's psychological toll, character-driven narratives, and dynamic action sequences. The first issue garnered an average critic score of 8.2 out of 10 from 21 aggregated reviews on ComicBookRoundUp, highlighting the strong female protagonist Andromache (Andy) and Fernández's "solid artwork" that effectively conveyed the immortals' weariness and violence. User ratings averaged 8.1 out of 10, reflecting appreciation for the premise of ancient warriors navigating modern conflicts without superhuman powers beyond indestructibility.^[60] Subsequent volumes maintained this acclaim, with the collected Opening Fire (2017) earning a 4.0 out of 5 rating on Goodreads from over 7,755 user reviews, where readers commended Rucka's focus on moral fatigue and historical flashbacks that added depth to the ensemble cast. The 2019 sequel arc, Force Multiplied, achieved a similar 4.2 out of 5 on Goodreads from 353 ratings, with praise for expanding the lore through new immortal recruit Nile Freeman while delving into interpersonal tensions among the group. Anthology spin-offs like Tales Through Time (2022) scored even higher at 9.5 out of 10 in specialized reviews, noted for successfully blending standalone stories that reinforced the core themes of eternal duty and loss without diluting the main narrative's intensity.^[61]^[62]^[63] Some critiques pointed to formulaic elements typical of Image Comics' mature action titles, with one review describing the debut issue as a "generic" story lacking standout innovation despite competent execution in pacing and visuals. Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit echoed this divide, lauding the "expressive and explosive" art and backstory integration for emotional investment, though acknowledging the series' reliance on established tropes of reluctant immortals in mercenary roles. Overall, the comics' reception underscored Rucka's reputation for grounded, ethically complex military fiction, contributing to its adaptation into a Netflix film and a post-2020 surge in collectible value, with first printings of issue #1 appreciating over 80% due to heightened demand.^[64]^[65]^[66]

Film Critical and Audience Response

The Old Guard (2020) received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 288 reviews, with praise centered on its action sequences, Charlize Theron's performance as the immortal warrior Andy, and the film's blend of emotional depth with superhero tropes.^[34] On Metacritic, it scored 70 out of 100 from 45 critics, reflecting commendations for its grounded entertainment value and twists on familiar immortality narratives, though some noted predictable plotting and pacing issues.^[35] Audience reception was similarly favorable, with a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb from over 206,000 users, who highlighted strong fight choreography and engaging lore despite criticisms of bland dialogue in user reviews.^[26] Critics like those at NPR appreciated the film's smart integration of action and character-driven emotion, describing it as exciting and tense while avoiding superficiality.^[67] Roger Ebert's review awarded it 3.5 out of 4 stars, lauding its execution despite conventional elements.^[58] However, detractors pointed to underdeveloped story beats and unearned emotional arcs, as echoed in aggregate user feedback on platforms like IMDb.^[68] In contrast, The Old Guard 2 (2025) faced widespread critical disapproval, holding a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score from 109 reviews, with outlets decrying it as a lackluster sequel that failed to match the original's energy or engagement.^[42] Metacritic aggregated a 44/100 from 22 reviews, citing diminished fun, weak narrative momentum, and insufficient exploration of its central immortal antagonist conflict.^[69] The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as functional but excitement-deficient, emphasizing Charlize Theron's efforts amid broader shortcomings in direction and scripting.^[70] Audience response to the sequel was tepid, with IMDb users rating it 5.1/10 from approximately 41,000 votes, praising isolated fight scenes and visuals but faulting the storyline, acting inconsistencies, and overall execution as inferior to the 2020 entry.^[37] Rotten Tomatoes audience scores hovered around 44%, underscoring a disconnect where viewers found it watchable background fare but lacking the compelling hooks of its predecessor.^[71] This divergence highlights how the franchise's expansion diluted initial strengths in immortality-themed action for many observers.

Commercial Performance and Legacy

The first Old Guard film achieved significant commercial success on Netflix, accumulating 78 million household views within its initial four weeks of release on July 10, 2020.^[32] This performance positioned it as one of Netflix's top-viewed original films at the time, surpassing estimates of 72 million accounts and contributing to the platform's strategy of investing in high-profile action adaptations.^[72] The adaptation's popularity extended to the source material, tripling the comic series' lifetime sales in the month following the film's debut, with the first volume exceeding 80,000 copies sold and the omnibus collection surpassing 200,000 units by 2019.^[73]^[74] The Old Guard 2, released on July 2, 2025, debuted at number one on Netflix's streaming charts, attracting 2.3 million households from Wednesday to Sunday in its opening week.^[75] However, it quickly slipped to second place globally by July 8, amid reports of declining interest and production delays that spanned over three years from principal photography in 2022.^[76] The sequel's viewership resurgence prompted a re-entry for the original film into Netflix's top 10 in late June 2025, underscoring sustained franchise appeal despite the follow-up's weaker critical reception.^[77] The franchise's legacy includes elevating Greg Rucka's comic to broader audiences through Netflix's adaptation, demonstrating how streaming platforms can amplify graphic novel sales and inspire sequels in the superhero genre.^[74] It marked milestones in representation, such as Gina Prince-Bythewood becoming the first Black woman to direct a big-budget comic book film, and featuring prominent LGBTQ+ characters integrated into core narratives without tokenism.^[78] Theron's portrayal of Andy reinforced her status in action cinema, emphasizing themes of enduring human connections amid immortality, though the sequel's emphasis on spectacle over emotional depth has prompted discussions on franchise dilution.^[79] Potential for a third installment remains speculative, hinging on the sequel's long-term metrics.^[80]

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5 wins & 24 nominations. Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA. Charlize Theron. 2021 Nominee Saturn Award.
[34]
The Old Guard - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 80% (288) Nevertheless, the cast led by Charlize Theron delivers a fantasy action film that, while very generic in parts, features strong and charismatic characters who ...
[35]
The Old Guard Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 70% (45) Generally Favorable Based on 45 Critic Reviews. 70. User Score Mixed or Average Based on 584 User Ratings. 5.9. My Score. Drag or tap to give a rating Saved.Cast & Crew · Details · 10 · Based on 45 Critic Reviews
[36]
'The Old Guard' Among Top 10 Most Popular Netflix Films, Streamer ...
Jul 17, 2020 · “The Old Guard,” starring Charlize Theron, has made Netflix's list of its 10 most popular original films ever and is tracking to reach 72 ...
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The Old Guard 2 (2025) - IMDb
Rating 5.1/10 (40,907) The Old Guard 2: Directed by Victoria Mahoney. With Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari. Andy leads immortal warriors against ...
[38]
The Old Guard 2 (2025) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
The Old Guard 2 (2025) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
[39]
The Old Guard 2: 4 HQ Images And Some Story Details Revealed
Apr 23, 2025 · Netflix drops four images and new story details for The Old Guard 2, set for July 2, 2025 release. · Creator Greg Rucka discusses sequel's plot, ...
[40]
The Old Guard 2 (2025) is the action-packed sequel to Netflix's hit ...
May 12, 2025 · The sequel is set to premiere on July 2, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. The production boasts an estimated budget of $80–100 million, reflecting ...
[41]
The Old Guard 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
May 8, 2025 · Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world.
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The Old Guard 2 - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 27% (109) Andy and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world.
[43]
The Old Guard 3: Part 2 Director Gives Crucial Sequel Update
Jul 2, 2025 · Victoria Mahoney confirmed she will not return to direct The Old Guard 3 if the sequel moves forward.
[44]
Never Fade Away: The Old Guard Immortal Edition Volume 1 Review
Jun 1, 2025 · The series is full of action and intrigue, but it's also a sharp philosophical meditation on death, human connection, depression, technological progress, love, ...
[45]
The Old Guard: Charlize Theron Talks Playing A 6000 Year ... - Empire
Jun 8, 2020 · So, I tried to bring a genuine exhaustion to her, and not get bogged down in the idea that she's lived thousands of years, she's seen it all, ...
[46]
https://ew.com/movies/charlize-theron-the-old-guard-digital-cover/
[47]
No New Beginning For The Ageless Old Guard - Previews World
Dec 18, 2016 · In Greg Rucka's The Old Guard #1 we're faced with old soldiers that may not want an end to war. They might not know how to handle peace.Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
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The Old Guard 2 Review: Immortality Fatigue - The Movie Blog
Rating 3/10 · Review by Caillou PettisJul 4, 2025 · The central narrative hook—Andy (Charlize Theron) having lost her immortality—is a compelling way to reset the stakes. Mortality, after ...
[49]
Charlize Theron shines as a world-weary immortal in The Old Guard
Jul 10, 2020 · ... Old Guard doesn't quite rise to meet its ambitious goals. Perhaps it's because we've seen this story of world-weary immortals before (e.g. ...
[50]
The Old Guard Is Not a Superhero Story: Greg Rucka Interview
Jul 13, 2020 · In 2017, Rucka created The Old Guard with artist Leandro Fernández, diving deep into military history with the story of five immortal soldiers ...
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The Old Guard: Eternal Life During Wartime [Interview] - Image Comics
GREG RUCKA: We're primarily following Andy—Andromache of Scythia. She leads the team by dint of being the eldest—she's coming up on her sixth millennia—and the ...Missing: battles ethics
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Revisit the Ending of The Old Guard Ahead of The Old Guard 2
Jun 22, 2025 · But first, what is The Old Guard about? · Does Merrick get a satisfying villain death? · Why does Booker betray Andy? · Is Andy really losing her ...Missing: fatigue | Show results with:fatigue
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The Old Guard buries the 'bury your gays' trope with queer ... - Polygon
Jul 11, 2020 · The team needed to represent a breadth and depth of diversity. I just didn't want anybody coming away from the audience, or coming away from the ...Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
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Netflix's The Old Guard Writer Explains Why The Movie's LGBTQ ...
Jul 14, 2020 · Netflix's The Old Guard Writer Explains Why The Movie's LGBTQ Representation Was So Important. Voices. By Dirk Libbey published July 14, 2020.<|separator|>
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The Old Guard: Revisiting an Exceptional Feminist Action Film on its ...
Jul 9, 2021 · Feminist action film 'The Old Guard' succeeds at a kind of inclusion along the lines of gender, race and sexuality that works seamlessly.
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Should You Tell Their Story: The Old Guard and Cultural ...
Apr 9, 2021 · The covers of The Old Guard: Tales Through Time raise concerns about racist imagery and cultural appropriation.
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Queer Metaphor, Neo-Colonial Militarization, and Scientific Ethics in ...
Mar 1, 2022 · This paper argues that The Old Guard imagines a future without queer death, but it also simultaneously interrogates the ethics of neocolonial militarization.Missing: themes diversity
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The Old Guard movie review & film summary (2020) | Roger Ebert
Rating 3.5/4 · Review by Odie HendersonJul 10, 2020 · They are played by a variety of different races and it never once feels forced or pandering. In addition to observing the humanity of its ...
[59]
Chiwetel Ejiofor Talks Influence of The Old Guard Inclusion
Jul 31, 2020 · Chiwetel Ejiofor said 'The Old Guard's' diversity and inclusion is an "important marker" for where Hollywood stories are heading.
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Old Guard #1 Reviews (2017) at ComicBookRoundUp.com
Rating 8.2/10 (21) A tour de force of violence and mythmaking. If you like your action grimy ... characters and their immortality. I sure hope that it does because this ...
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The Old Guard, vol. 1: Opening Fire by Greg Rucka - Goodreads
Rating 4.0 (7,755) Aug 30, 2017 · Its a story that is filled with action, violence, betrayal, complex characters, and heart. Immortality also has it's limits in this world and ...
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The Old Guard: Force Multiplied #1 by Greg Rucka - Goodreads
Rating 4.2 (353) Dec 18, 2019 · Andromache of Scythia and her band of soldiers are back in this second story chronicling the battles and burdens of their dubious immortality.
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THE OLD GUARD: TALES THROUGH TIME 1-6 (series review)
Rating 9.5/10 · Review by Ross HutchinsonOct 4, 2021 · Publisher: Image Comics. Genre: Action, Drama. Published Date: 04/21/2021. By Ross Hutchinson. on October 4, 2021. Recap. These are fairy tales ...
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The Old Guard #1 Reviews - League of Comic Geeks
Feb 22, 2017 · Image Comics · Released Feb 22, 2017. The Old Guard #1. Overview; ContributionsMore. Submit Corrections Submit New Variant Cover Contribution ...
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What is the old guard about and is it any good. : r/comicbooks - Reddit
Oct 13, 2017 · The art and color are very expressive and explosive. The main story will keep you reading, while it's the character's back stories that add ...
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Comic Book Movies: The Old Guard #1 - GoCollect Blog
Jul 13, 2020 · The first appearance standard copy of the comic book The Old Guard #1 has returned almost positive +80% since its published date 2017.
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'The Old Guard' Is A Smart Blend Of Action And Emotion - NPR
Jul 10, 2020 · Yes, it's a comic book movie. Yes, it's an action movie. Yes, it's about a team of good-doers. And it's exciting and satisfying and tense and ...
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The Old Guard (2020) - User reviews - IMDb
Easy viewing, great fight choreography and action scenes. The plot was simply and predictably executed but remained entertaining throughout. Great individual ...
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The Old Guard 2 Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 44% (22) Jul 2, 2025 · Overall “The Old Guard 2” is fine, a bit of a background movie that's probably easy enough to tune in and out of (though Schoenaerts, a standout ...
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'The Old Guard 2' Review: Charlize Theron in Netflix Action Sequel
Jul 2, 2025 · Release date: Wednesday, July 2 ; Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Van, Henry ...
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Old Guard 2's Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Breaks Charlize ...
Jul 3, 2025 · After critics awarded the sequel a poor 28% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have now spoken, and the film has debuted with a lackluster 44% ...
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Charlize Theron Netflix Pic 'The Old Guard' Seen In 72M ... - Deadline
Jul 17, 2020 · Charlize Theron Netflix Movie 'The Old Guard' Heading To 72M Households To Rank Among Streamer's 10 Most Popular Pics.Missing: nominations | Show results with:nominations
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In One Month Netflix Tripled Old Guard's Lifetime Comic Book Sales
Aug 13, 2020 · The Netflix adaptation of the comic book The Old Guard – both written by Greg Rucka – has been rather well received. So much so that it has affected sales.
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Streaming TV, Films Drive Surge in Graphic Novel Sales
Apr 21, 2021 · The first volume sold more than 80,000 copies, with more than 200,000 copies of the four volume omnibus series selling in 2019. Barrucci's ...
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'The Old Guard 2' Debuts at No. 1 on the Streaming Top 10 | Chart
Jul 10, 2025 · The superhero action sequel drew 2.3 million households to watch between Wednesday and Sunday, making it the third Netflix title to top the ...
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Charlize Theron's 24% Rotten Tomatoes Action Sequel Loses Top ...
Jul 9, 2025 · According to FlixPatrol, The Old Guard 2 slipped to the number two spot on the global Netflix charts on July 8, surrendering the top position to ...
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A 5-Year-Old Superhero Movie Is Back in the Netflix Top 10 (and We ...
Jul 3, 2025 · Per Netflix Tudum, The Old Guard re-entered Netflix's Top 10 most streamed movies in late June ahead of The Old Guard 2's release. Of course, it ...
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'The Old Guard' Director Gina Prince-Bythewood On Being The First ...
Jul 10, 2020 · With The Old Guard, Prince-Bythewood becomes the first Black woman to undertake a big-budget comic book film, and the weight of that is not lost ...
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'The Old Guard' and the Evolution of Charlize Theron
Jul 10, 2020 · The Old Guard includes male characters, two of whom are gay, defined by connections, desires and humanity rather than larger-than-life personas ...
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Will Charlize Theron Return to Complete 'The Old Guard' Trilogy?
Jul 7, 2025 · Around 78 million viewers watched The Old Guard in its first four weeks of release, according to Variety.<|separator|>