The Curious Case of The Old Guard 2: A Netflix Sequel Lost in Time
Remember July 2020? The world was navigating uncharted waters, and Netflix, almost surprisingly, delivered a string of genuinely compelling original films. Among them, the hard-hitting action of Extraction captivated audiences, followed closely by the equally impressive The Old Guard. Starring the formidable Charlize Theron, surrounded by a stellar ensemble, the first film’s success seemed to guarantee a thrilling continuation. A sequel was quickly greenlit. What many might not realize, however, is that The Old Guard 2 was apparently filmed an astonishing three years ago, its delayed release now raising questions about its journey to our screens.
A Cinematic Stillbirth: Visuals That Miss the Mark
The prolonged wait for The Old Guard 2 is palpable, manifesting in a finished product that often feels less like a polished cinematic endeavor and more like raw, unedited footage. Netflix’s curious silence surrounding its release only amplifies this perception. The film sports a hyper-realistic, almost un-graded aesthetic, giving the distinct impression of an incomplete cut. This visual flatness, attributed to cinematographer Barry Ackroyd, stands out as one of its most glaring deficiencies.
It’s perplexing, given Ackroyd’s involvement in the comparatively more visually coherent first installment. His signature style – a preference for long lenses and handheld cameras that often create a deliberate detachment – feels fundamentally misaligned with a genre piece like The Old Guard 2. Such a narrative arguably demands a more stylized, immersive approach, rather than one that keeps the audience at an emotional and visual distance.
Narrative Labyrinth: When Exposition Becomes a Luxury
The sequel picks up just six short months after its predecessor. The first Old Guard concluded with the harrowing revelation of Andy (Charlize Theron) losing her immortality, a consequence of her friend Booker’s (Matthias Schoenaerts) betrayal. Crucially, it also unveiled the tragic fate of Andy’s long-lost love, Quỳnh, condemned to an eternity of drowning within an underwater tomb. The sheer terror of Quỳnh’s plight was a powerful narrative thread in the original, and while The Old Guard 2 doesn’t shy away from depicting her agonizing ordeal, its impact is severely blunted by a glaring lack of narrative hand-holding.
The film plunges viewers directly into the ongoing story without so much as a brief opening text or a character’s expository line to reorient us. This stark absence of context assumes an intimate familiarity with events from years ago, leaving many viewers scrambling to recall details. While an aversion to spoon-feeding an audience is often commendable, here, the plot’s thinness means this approach only exacerbates confusion, leaving one to wish for even a basic recap.
Star Power Dims: Theron, Thurman, and a Flat Protégé
Andy, alongside her protégé Nile (KiKi Layne), now appears to be engaged in a nebulous mission to “save the world.” The antagonist, initially shrouded in mystery, eventually emerges in the formidable form of Uma Thurman’s character, Discord. Introduced as the “original” immortal, Discord views Andy as a threat and attempts to manipulate Nile to her side. Yet, Andy remains largely preoccupied with resolving her profound personal issues with Quỳnh, creating a disconnect in the narrative’s focus.
Thurman’s screen time appears minimal, perhaps just over a week’s worth of shooting days. For much of the first half, she lurks menacingly in the periphery, and the climax, a major action sequence between her and Andy, likely relied heavily on stunt doubles. Despite this, Thurman injects an undeniable energy into every scene she graces, her skill undeniable, particularly in a sequence where she subtly attempts to draw Nile to her cause. Conversely, Charlize Theron, a powerhouse performer, seems somewhat disengaged, and KiKi Layne, intended as the audience’s entry point into this world, unfortunately comes across as largely inert, struggling to elevate an already thinly written protégé character.
Action Sequences: Choppy, Confined, and Lacking Punch
The narrative, penned by Greg Rucka, co-creator of the original comic series, is helmed by director Victoria Mahoney. This marks a departure from Gina Prince-Bythewood, who deftly directed the first film, crafting several memorable action sequences that, despite some narrative sketchiness, provided compelling thrills. In The Old Guard 2, the action feels notably choppier and less inspired.
A particular fight scene between Andy and Quỳnh, confined to a narrow alleyway, exemplifies this issue. Despite the potential for creative choreography, Mahoney does little to utilize the environment; the entire brawl unfolds within a mere ten-foot radius, making for a surprisingly dull spectacle. This pales in comparison to the film’s climax, which appears almost entirely reliant on green screen and likely stunt performances. And, to add insult to injury, The Old Guard 2 brazenly concludes on a cliffhanger, a testament to its audacious belief in a future installment.
The Algorithmic Echo: A Symptom of Streaming’s Decline
If the first Old Guard symbolized the exciting promise of early-stage streaming originals, its sequel unfortunately embodies the pitfalls of contemporary Netflix production. It feels less like a passion project and more like an algorithmically generated product—uninspired, deeply unnecessary, and a stark reminder that even with A-list talent, a lack of vision can render a sequel utterly forgettable.
