The Old Guard – Netflix Review (4/5)

THE OLD GUARD is a Netflix fantasy-action movie based on a graphic novel series. Charlize Theron is perfect in the lead role where she kicks ass beautifully! She also shares the screentime quite a lot with other wonderful actors. Read our full The Old Guard movie review here!

THE OLD GUARD is a Netflix fantasy-action movie based on a graphic novel series. The concept is not unlike that of the iconic Highlander movie since we’re dealing with immortal warriors. Still, it does differ in several significant ways!

The cast is wonderful in every single way and Charlize Theron leads the field. Also, both the fight and action sequences are out-of-this-world amazing. The villain, on the other hand, is just a tad too annoying for my liking. But hey, to each their own and this is based on a graphic novel series which tends to have villains that are even more over the top.

Continue reading our The Old Guard movie review below and check it out on Netflix.

Charlize Theron is the perfect action star

I’ve always adored Charlize Theron in everything she’s done. From comedy and drama to these hardcore action movies with a bit more heart to them. Especially in the action genre, Charlize Theron has – quite literally – been kicking ass for several years. From Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road to Atomic Blonde, she is quickly becoming my favorite action star!

Also, I really appreciate the depth of character she always manages to incorporate as well. Sure, she kicks ass, but she’s more than a “tough guy” with one-liners. We always get to know the characters just a bit more. Her character in The Old Guard, Andy, is no exception. And what a life, she has lead. Spanning centuries and making a substantial impact on the world.

Along with Charlize Theron’s “Andy”, we have Matthias Schoenaerts’ “Booker” as the youngest member of their 4-person army. Booker is “only” a few centuries old, so he is the baby of the group, which means he also tends to heal faster. You’ll probably recognize Matthias Schoenaerts from movies such as The Loft (2014), The Danish Girl, or Red Sparrow.

Rounding out the quartet are Joe and Nicky, who are portrayed by Marwan Kenzari (The Mummy) and Luca Marinelli (They Call Me Jeeg Robot) respectively.

The world is full of diversity

The beautiful and intense romance between Joe and Nicky is the beating heart of The Old Guard. Fortunately, this adaptation does not shy away from embracing this. After all, this is a Netflix production and Charlize Theron is producing. Both are good indications that anything LGBTQ will not be left out.

Especially not to appease anyone who wants to think the world is straight, white, and Christian. The world of The Old Guard makes it clear that the world is so much more!

A key element of the storyline in The Old Guard focuses on the introduction of another immortal. The new immortal is a young black woman named Nile. She’s a US Marine who dies in combat in Afghanistan and then miraculously recovers.

Yes, from death!

The immortal army of four is quick to find her and help her understand what’s happening. Nile is played with so much heart and warmth by KiKi Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk). In a smaller (but important) supporting role, we have Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Secret in Their Eyes).

The villain of The Old Guard is portrayed by Harry Melling, who I found to be incredibly annoying. And it didn’t help that he reminded me too much of a previous role he played; Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies.

Will there be a The Old Guard 2?

When watching The Old Guard, you will definitely be left wondering about a sequel. The ending of this movie certainly leaves room for The Old Guard 2. In fact, it really teases a lot of story elements that could (and should) be explored in a sequel movie.

Whether we’ll get The Old Guard 2 probably depends on how this first movie does. However, it really should be a hit. It deserves to be and it has a cast to draw in the viewers.

To me, there are elements of The Old Guard that reminded me quite a lot of the new Netflix series Warrior Nun. In all the right ways, fortunately. Warrior Nun is like the young adult version of a similar plot, while The Old Guard is the very adult and heavy version of a similar plot.

You might like: Our Season 1 Warrior Nun review here >

Watch The Old Guard on Netflix

Gina Prince-Bythewood directed The Old Guard which was clearly an excellent choice. The visuals are stunning and the heart of the story is always in focus. The action scenes are brilliant, but we’re never allowed to forget that death is a serious issue. That’s how it should be!

Previously, Gina Prince-Bythewood directed The Secret Lives of Bees, while most recently having directed episodes of TV series such as Cloak & Dagger and Shots Fired.

The screenplay was written by Greg Rucka, which is the best you could hope for since he co-created the graphic novel series this is based on. The books were created by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. Greg Rucka also created the Stumptown series starring Cobie Smulders and the graphic novel adapted into Whiteout (2009) with Kate Beckinsale.

Honestly, if you enjoy a good action movie and love it when it has supernatural elements (typical of those based on graphic novels), then The Old Guard is extremely solid entertainment.

The Old Guard is out on Netflix worldwide from July 10, 2020.

Details

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Writers: Greg Rucka
Stars: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo