The Old Guard (2020)
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Screenwriter: Greg Rucka
Starring: Charlize Theron, Kiki Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Harry Melling
The Old Guard, Netflix’s 2020 action-fantasy release, arrives with a clear hook: a small group of immortal warriors who have spent centuries protecting humanity. On paper, the film promises kinetic fight sequences, a diverse cast, and a fresh take on the superhero-action template. In practice, it often feels like a glossy commodity—well produced, star-driven, and marketing-friendly—but lacking depth in its themes, character development, and tonal consistency.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and screenwriter Greg Rucka assemble a talented, international cast led by Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne. The actors deliver committed performances and frequently commit to demanding stunt work, which brings a believable physicality to many of the action scenes. The choreography sometimes approaches the tightness of contemporary espionage thrillers, but overall the fight sequences do not consistently do justice to each character’s individuality. Visual signifiers—signature weapons or brief character beats—stand in for deeper characterization, and combat often reduces everyone to the same set of moves and rhythms.
Characterization is, regrettably, a weak point. Theron’s Andy receives intermittent backstory fragments intended to generate emotional weight, yet these moments rarely alter how we perceive her or influence her choices. Kiki Layne’s Nile is introduced as an honourable soldier who cares for her family, but much of that is told about her rather than shown in meaningful behaviour. Several supporting members of the group function more as archetypes or exposition machines than fully realized people. Meanwhile, the film’s antagonists are thinly drawn. The principal villain—a pharmaceutical CEO—comes across as a caricature, reduced to dated one-liners where subtlety or moral complexity would have been more interesting.
Tonal shifts also hinder the film’s effectiveness. The opening promises gritty, close-quarters action in the vein of modern spy thrillers, then unexpectedly leans into stylized set pieces and an incongruous R&B track that reappears without clear purpose. These abrupt choices disrupt immersion and suggest an uncertain directorial approach to tone and sound design. While the film occasionally finds the right balance between spectacle and intimacy, too many scenes feel like interchangeable beats driven by obligation to genre convention rather than by character or theme.
One of the most discussed aspects of The Old Guard is its inclusive casting and woman-led action. The film’s diversity—different accents, nationalities, genders and backgrounds—deserves recognition, and it represents an important step for mainstream action cinema. Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne’s presence at the center of an action film is meaningful. At the same time, the narrative uses inclusivity as design rather than as a foundation for deeper exploration; representation is visible, but the story rarely interrogates the power dynamics, moral ambiguity, or historical weight that immortality could illuminate.
Another recurring criticism is that the film leans toward a self-serious, market-friendly version of progressive politics. It sets up ethical questions—about violence, responsibility and what immortality might mean—then moves quickly to familiar revenge-driven beats. The plot often sidelines its own early promises in favour of conventional action resolutions, undercutting opportunities for richer commentary. As a result, some viewers may feel the film trades meaningful stakes for broad appeal.
Production values are high, and there are moments where set pieces and performances coalesce into genuinely exciting sequences. The cast’s chemistry is one of the film’s strengths; the ensemble sells the idea that these characters have fought side by side for centuries. Still, the screenplay’s tendency to skim over complexity and the film’s uneven use of sound and music limit its emotional payoff.
Despite its flaws, The Old Guard achieved notable visibility on Netflix and marked a milestone as a woman-of-colour-directed entry in the platform’s high-profile releases. That accomplishment is important and should be acknowledged. At the same time, the film is best described as an ambitious but flawed attempt to marry blockbuster action with contemporary themes. It will likely satisfy viewers looking for star-led spectacle and straightforward thrills, but those seeking a deeper or more original exploration of immortality, morality and identity may find it disappointing.
5/24