Photos by way of Netflix
Based mostly on the Picture comedian e-book sequence from writer Greg Rucka & artist Leandro Fernandez, The Previous Guard 2 is the long-awaited sequel to its 2020 predecessor, The Previous Guard, launched in July of that yr. Netflix claimed the unique movie to be the most well-liked title of the summer season quarter, with 78 million households tuning in to observe within the first 4 weeks on the platform.
So why did it take so lengthy for this widespread hit to get its sequel? Introduced formally in August 2021, The Previous Guard 2 appeared to be on observe to get again quickly, with star/producer Charlize Theron disclosing months earlier in an interview with Selection that the script was already accomplished.
Nonetheless, after a prolonged pre-production stage, the cameras began rolling virtually a yr later in June 2022 and wrapped in September 2023. One yr later, there could be further capturing scheduled for the movie lasting a pair weeks.
Lastly, the supportive followers who waited patiently for therefore lengthy (we’re not immortal, you already know!) would get their new adventure in July 2025.
Based mostly on the 2nd Rucka written Previous Guard e-book “Pressure Multiplied” with a script by Rucka & Australian screenwriter Sarah L. Walker, we decide up six months after the occasions of the primary movie with the up to date crew – Andy aka Andromache (Theron), Nile (Kiki Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli), & ex-CIA/former villain confederate Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) – nonetheless working mercenary operations to save lots of mankind from extinction, even with Andy nonetheless grappling together with her newfound mortality found on the finish of the unique movie.
Additionally from the finale of the unique, we’re introduced with two main occasions that current themselves because the crux of the opposition within the sequel: former crew member and fellow immortal Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) was despatched into exile from the group after his betrayal & Andromache’s longtime immortal companion Quynh (Veronica Ngo) has been saved from centuries in an Iron Maiden on the backside of the ocean.
Weaponizing Quynh’s thirst for revenge upon the mortals that imprisoned her in a watery grave & Andromache who failed to seek out her in spite of everything this time, a mysterious risk named Discord (performed by Kill Invoice motion queen Uma Thurman) emerges with plans to provide Quynh precisely what she desires with the sources and firepower to carry the world and its immortal protectors to their knees.
The Previous Guard 2 (L-R) Henry Golding as Tuah and Charlize Theron as Andy. Cr. Eli Joshua Ade /NETFLIX
Helmed this time round by status TV director Victoria Mahoney, The Previous Guard 2 feels bouncier than its predecessor from the beginning; launched from the huge throat clearing of explaining their immortal backgrounds & character connections mixed with a protagonist in Andromache whose life has come into sharper focus now that she may be taken out at any second as a mortal. Every member of the crew appears to be well-defined and tightly knit with a person sense of goal. The primary movie’s darkish, brooding, and self-serious tone has seemingly given method to a lighter sensibility, permitting the chemistry to thrive for lengthy stretches of the sequel’s far shorter 100-minute runtime.
Extra importantly, the sequel has actual stakes, a extra highly effective villain on the extent of our heroes, & a private reference to the long-awaited return of Quynh.
The primary movie was way more targeted on bringing alongside a reluctant recruit in Nile, scuffling with the present and curse of immortality, & being hunted by mortals to be studied and exploited (with an excessive Harry Melling efficiency that didn’t work for me at the same time as a fan of the primary movie). This movie will get to iterate on these inside struggles and construct on them with a mortal Andromache, a redemption arc with Booker, & an growth of the immortal lore that permits a bodily weak spot to play into the energetic selections by each character who involves find out about it. Add in a well-respected, legendary actress with a excessive profile background in motion filmmaking in Uma Thurman to tackle the brand new villain with a stronger sense of goal, a extra grounded method to her fury, & a maintain over somebody extremely necessary to Andy. That could be a recipe for higher engagement and significant drama.
Nonetheless, the hardest problem for the movie shouldn’t be being a standalone entry. The success of the movie closely depends on the creation & execution of a third movie within the sequence. Each critique I can consider feels just like the film holding again the perfect for later. The story might have used extra scenes with Andromache & Quynh, both within the current or a reaffirming flashback, that might have enhanced the generally struggling chemistry or the drama of the movie’s climax, however the movie kicks that down the street for a possible mission-critical team-up in Half 3. The story would have been higher served with a real ultimate battle between Andromache, Quynh, & Discord, however we have been handled and finally teased with the battle within the movie’s ultimate moments earlier than its inevitable cliffhanger ending. Netflix higher be dedicated to this trilogy or else the legacy of this installment and the franchise as a complete might be tainted with wasted potential. With a 5-year hole between movies, the creators are making a giant guess that the passion for this installment will get them a inexperienced gentle to go for 3.
However on this second, The Previous Guard 2 will give followers of the primary movie precisely what they might have wished over this half decade. The identical high quality course (kudos to Mahoney for not lacking a beat) and combat choreography because the critically well-regarded authentic, a greater villain efficiency from Thurman, and story components so attractive that they determined to make it a cliffhanger to pressure a Half 3. Whereas the Andromache/Quynh relationship might use some refinement for the franchise’s success shifting ahead, we should always all think about Charlize’s expertise and the supply materials from Rucka to ship the right story conclusion all of us deserve.
Image: Netflix
Watch The Previous Guard 2 on Netflix If You Like
- The Previous Guard
- Atomic Blonde
- Highlander
- Kill Invoice Vol. 1 & 2
MVP of The Previous Guard 2
Uma Thurman as Discord
The Previous Guard 2. Uma Thurman as Discord in The Previous Guard 2. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025
It feels good to see Uma Thurman swinging a blade once more.
Her casting as the principle villain in a female-led motion movie is sensible. Thurman brings a degree of status as an extremely gifted actor of notice for many years, whereas giving us the long-awaited return of the kickass model of herself that we didn’t know we wanted.
Whereas this award actually hinges on a small quantity of significant display screen time, Thurman makes essentially the most out of it, significantly with the rooftop standoff with Theron’s Andromache as they showcase their skill to launch into impassioned speeches whereas giving us the bloody battle all of us craved for the reason that trailer dropped. Hopefully, Netflix does the correct factor and publicizes Half 3 to provide us a extra heightened rematch.
5 years within the making, The Previous Guard 2 brings a contemporary method to a extra self-serious franchise with increased stakes, expanded lore, & a stronger villain performed by a legend in Thurman. Let’s get on that third film now, lets?