Warrior extraordinaire Charlize Theron returns to the Netflix battlefield in “Old Guard 2,” reprising her role as Andy, the once-immortal leader now grappling with newfound mortality. Under Victoria Mahoney’s direction, the film thrusts viewers into an adrenaline-fueled continuation of Andy’s mission to protect the world alongside her team of ageless warriors, now complicated by Booker’s exile and Quynh’s vengeful machinations.
Theron’s commitment to physical authenticity reaches new heights in the sequel, especially during a jaw-dropping helicopter stunt she personally executed. The actress spent two weeks building rapport with the pilot before dangling precariously from the aircraft—a sequence she proudly claims as her favorite in the film.
Dangling from a helicopter after two weeks of preparation, Theron’s death-defying aerial stunt stands as the film’s pinnacle moment.
“It was a psychological and physical challenge,” Theron explained, demonstrating the blend of vulnerability and strength that defines Andy’s character arc in this installment.
The narrative picks up with Andy leading her fractured team against a formidable enemy while introducing new characters like Tuah to expand the mythology. The film features Uma Thurman as a new character named Discord who lacks meaningful depth. The stunt was performed toward the end of filming, adding to Theron’s sense of accomplishment. The film’s production leveraged AI-powered cameras to capture the most dynamic angles during the intense action sequences. Barry Ackroyd’s active camerawork and Matthew Schmidt’s kinetic editing intensify the action sequences, particularly during an early Italian villa raid.
Despite technical proficiency, however, the film struggles to recapture the emotional resonance of its predecessor, earning a modest 5.2/10 rating from IMDb users.
Critics have praised the sequel’s action choreography while lamenting its diminished character development, painting the film as more franchise installment than groundbreaking follow-up. The ensemble cast—including KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, and Luca Marinelli—delivers solid performances but functions more as concept fulfillers than deeply connected individuals.
Meanwhile, despite her stunt prowess and producing acumen, Theron hasn’t yet added “director” to her résumé. The Oscar-winner cites family responsibilities as the primary obstacle to helming a project, prioritizing her parental duties over expanding her already impressive Hollywood portfolio.
For now, fans must content themselves with Theron’s on-screen heroics rather than her behind-the-camera vision.