In recent years,Charlize Theronhas proven herself to be a formidable action superstar, thanks to her impressive performances inbig-screen hits such asMad Max: Fury Road,Atomic Blonde, and theFast & Furiousfranchise, which showcase her exceptional physical prowess. Theron continued to embrace her status as one of Hollywood’s fiercest heroines when she headlined the 2020 superhero filmThe Old Guard, aNetflixoriginal that also featured KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
In the thrilling film, Theron portrays the leader of an immortal mercenary group who embarks on a daring mission of revenge after their mysterious abilities are exposed and threatened to be exploited for greedy purposes by a pharmaceutical company.The Old Guardwas a massive streaming hit that kept viewers on the edge of their seats with its exciting action sequences and unique characters, leading to its success and the upcoming sequel,The Old Guard 2.Let’s take a look back at the original Netflix knockout.
The Old Guard
Theron Headlines Netflix’s Action-Packed Hit ‘The Old Guard’
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood(Love & Basketball, The Woman King),The Old Guardis based on the popular graphic novels that tell the story of a group of immortal soldiers who have been alive for hundreds of years and have secretly been protecting the world from various threats, with the team being led by Andromache “Andy” of Scythia (Theron).The mercenaries possess unexplained regenerative healing abilities that prevent them from being killed, utilizing their mysterious powers to benefit humanity.
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After they are set up and ambushed while working a job in South Sudan, Andy and her trusted allies Booker (Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) find themselves targeted by a pharmaceutical company and its shady executive, Steven Merrick (Harry Melling), who wants to replicate and monetize their healing powers. With the help of their newest soldier, former U.S. Marine Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne), the tight-knit team must fight to keep their secret hidden as they also realize a traitor is amongst them.
‘The Old Guard’ Is a Refreshing Take on the Superhero Genre
The Old Guardisn’t the first time Theron has portrayed a resilient superhero, as the actress had previously played an immortal being in the2008 blockbusterHancock, opposite Will Smith. Theron is the perfect choice to star in the genre, as she brilliantly captures the many complexities that come with being a protector of humanity, demonstrating all the strength, vulnerability, and loneliness that Andy faces after roaming the world for centuries. Andy is also racked with guilt due to not being able to locate her former lover, Quynh (Ngô Thanh Vân), who was cast into the sea in an iron maiden 500 years ago and remains trapped.
Not only does the Netflix hit feature Theron and her mercenary gang brutally taking down one adversary after another in some seriously well-choreographed action sequences, butThe Old Guardalso boasts refreshingly nuanced characters and an engrossing storyline that shows it did not simply prioritize style over substance; it epically achieved both.Andy’s deep-seated loyalty to her friends (who are more like her family) and her tenacious attitude make her a character you can’t help but root for, as she is willing to go to the ends of the earth for those she cares about.
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Prince-Bythewood made history as the first Black female filmmaker to direct a big-budget comic book movie, winning the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture for her exceptional work on the Netflix original. WhenThe Old Guardpremiered on June 28, 2025, both critics and audiences were blown away by its gritty action and charismatic cast performances. Itsportrayal of LGBTQ+ characterswas also positively singled out. The graphic novel’s co-creator, Greg Rucka, advocated for inclusivity and only agreed to pen the screenplay if the romance between characters Joe and Nicky was left in.
The Old Guardis perfect for superhero lovers and fans of the incomparable Theron, and after years of eagerly awaiting the follow-up film,The Old Guard 2,is slated to finally make its debut on August 07, 2025. Naturally, theFast Xstar is reprising her role as Andy. She is also serving as a producer, while the original core cast members will return, alongwith newcomers Uma Thurmanand Henry Golding. The latest entry is shaping up to be another streaming sensation, and will focus on Andy as she attempts to cope with no longer being immortal, as she and her friends must join forces to defend the world from the first of the immortals.StreamThe Old GuardonNetflix.The Old Guard 2premieres on Jun 20, 2025.
