Movie Review: The Old Guard 2 (2025)

The Old Guard 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2020 hit, attempts to expand the lore and emotional weight of the immortal warrior saga. While the return of familiar faces and the introduction of new dynamics offer excitement, the film stumbles in areas that prevent it from fully rising above its predecessor.

What Works Well

One of the standout elements of the sequel is its gritty and well-choreographed fight scenes. The hand-to-hand combat, especially the thrilling one-on-one duel between Andy (Charlize Theron) and Quynh (Ngô Thanh Vân), is both intense and emotionally charged. These action sequences are layered with character tension and purpose, not just spectacle.

The movie also benefits from its multi-location setup, jumping across various global landscapes. This keeps the pacing lively and visually appealing, even if some locations feel underused or inadequately represented. There’s also a continued strength in the personal conversations between characters, especially during quieter moments in their shared hideouts. These scenes show a more vulnerable and philosophical side of immortal life.

Areas That Fall Short

Despite its entertaining elements, The Old Guard 2 inherits and even amplifies some of the narrative weaknesses of the first film. The story suffers from a lack of background depth and clear exposition, making it hard for new viewers—and even returning fans—to follow certain plot threads. The dialogue at times feels vague or overly cryptic, which weakens emotional engagement and character clarity.

There are also several illogical plot choices that disrupt the film’s internal consistency:

The international settings, while visually intriguing, lack contextual depth or cultural integration.

The film’s main villain, who appears via a Discord call, feels oddly out of place and underwhelming for a global-level threat.

Quynh, once a figure of mystery and power, is not portrayed with enough menace or complexity to be a compelling antagonist.

Key characters, including three male immortals, are abruptly removed from the plot during an infiltration scene with little emotional payoff.

Some flashbacks meant to provide insight instead feel rushed and lack impact.

The group’s trip to South Korea, only to visit what appears to be a Japanese-style lodging, adds to the confusion about location relevance.

In a particularly puzzling moment, Andy is seen walking down a rugged Italian street with two companions who were supposedly left behind, pointing to continuity issues in the editing or storytelling.

Final Thoughts

While The Old Guard 2 brings back the core themes of loyalty, loss, and the burden of immortality, it falls short in terms of narrative coherence and character development. The action and chemistry between leads—especially Andy and Quynh—keep the film watchable, but the storytelling lacks the polish and structure needed to elevate it.

The ending, however, is promising. With the reunion of estranged team members, the final scenes set up a potential third installment that could explore new dynamics and correct the shortcomings of this chapter.

Verdict

If you’re a fan of the original, The Old Guard 2 offers enough action and emotion to keep you entertained. However, it doesn’t quite live up to the depth or cohesion of Part 1. Here’s hoping the franchise redeems itself with a stronger and more focused third film.

Rating: 3/5