With a big new action sequel arriving onNetflix, now is the perfect time to check out the original, which is one of the streamer’s best.Netflix Original movieshave produced some massive blockbusters, likeRed Notice, as well as acclaimed prestige films, likeThe Power of the DogandAll Quiet on the Western Front.
However, when it comes toNetflix action movies, they have proven to be quite successful.Chris Hemsworth’s intenseExtractionmoviesare action-packed thrill rides, and Zack Snyder’sArmy of the Deadwas a fun time. But one of the best Netflix movies in the genre blew audiences away in 2020, leading to the much-anticipated sequel finally arriving.
Along with delivering brutal and entertaining action set pieces, this action movie is also headlined by an Oscar winner and features one of the most interesting premises among the Netflix action movies. Ahead of checking out the sequel, the original is a must-see.
The Old Guard Is A Great Netflix Original Action Movie
Charlize Theron Is An Immortal Warrior
The Old Guardwas released on Netflix in 2020 and gave the streamer one of its most entertaining original movies. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood,the film is based on a comic book series of the same name and follows a group of mercenaries who are also immortals, serving as protective warriors across history.
Charlize Theron starsas Andy, the leader of the team and the oldest of the immortals. As she seeks out and begins to teach a young soldier, Nile (KiKi Layne), who is the newest immortal to be discovered, the team must also protect themselves as others have discovered their existence.
These are warriors who have been around for centuries and have developed countless fighting styles over the course of their many battles.
The inventive premise set the stage for a wild and exhilarating action movie with Andy and her close-knit team fighting off their enemies. Part of the thrill of the action sequences is how the style reflects the characters. These are warriors who have been around for centuries and have developed countless fighting styles over the course of their many battles.
The movie completely embraces its R-rating with some brutal fight scenes and memorable kills.Theron has already proven herself a capable action hero in movies likeMad Max: Fury RoadandAtomic Blonde. Once again, she is able to deliver the physicality of the role while still giving an emotional performance that elevates it.
The Old Guard 2 Just Came Out
The Sequel Arrived On July 2
While fans have been waiting five long years,The Old Guard 2has finally arrivedto continue the adventure.Released on July 25, 2025 on Netflix, Charlize Theron returns as Andy, alongside returning cast members like KiKi Layne and Chiwetel Ejiofor. They are also joined by new cast members, Uma Thurman and Henry Golding.
The wait forThe Old Guard 2seems especially long given the wild developments introduced near theend ofThe Old Guard. It is revealed that,at some point, the immortals do lose their powers, and that time has come for Andy. Though determined to stay on the team, she is hiding from the others that she can’t come back from death.
Perhaps even more alarming was the post-credit scene ofThe Old Guardrevealing the return of another immortal. Andy’s backstory reveals that she and fellow immortal Quỳnh (Veronica Ngô) were lovers only for Quỳnh to be captured, encased in a tomb, and dropped into the sea, where she was forced to die and come back forever, unable to escape.
Though Andy searched for Quỳnh, she was unable to find her. However, the end ofThe Old Guardreveals thatQuỳnh escaped her torturous tomb and has sought out Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), who was kicked off the team for betraying them. Despite their past, Quỳnh is out for revenge on Andy inThe Old Guard 2.
