The Old Guard
Stream
Four undying warriors who've secretly protected humanity for centuries become targeted for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal.
What critics thought
Generally well-received, The Old Guard earns its goodwill through unusually purposeful action choreography and a director who brings character-driven instincts to what could have been rote superhero material — though critics noted the film occasionally sags under genre formula and Netflix-franchise ambition. The film's matter-of-fact portrayal of queer romance was singled out as genuinely significant, drawing as much critical attention as the action itself.
“Chunks of the picture are logy and formulaic (it dawdles on for two hours), but the director, Gina Prince-Bythewood (making a major lane change after Love & Basketball and The Secret Life of Bees), stages the fight scenes with ripe executionary finesse, and she teases out a certain soulful quality in her cast.”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Superhero battles that are eye popping and narratively motivated? Oh, yeah.”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
“Though The Old Guard tackles superhero-movie clichés in interesting ways, it has more difficulty with the emerging conventions of the Netflix movie”
Tom Breihan·The A.V. Club
“The sexuality of the characters is matter-of-fact and inconsequential to their ability to kick total-and-complete ass, yet also given the dignity of expressing and showing their love”
Kevin Fallon·The Daily Beast
Genres
Action, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Gina Prince-BythewoodDirector
Charlize TheronAndromache of Scythia / Andy
KiKi LayneNile Freeman
Veronica NgôQuynh
Matthias SchoenaertsSebastien Le Livre / Booker
Marwan KenzariYusuf Al-Kaysani / Joe
Luca MarinelliNicolò di Genova / Nicky
Chiwetel EjioforCopley
Harry MellingMerrick
Natacha KaramDizzy
Anamaria MarincaDr. Meta Kozak
Joey AnsahKeane
Adam CollinsStaff Sergeant Raser
Volker BertelmannComposer
Dustin O'HalloranComposer
Greg RuckaWriter
Barry AckroydCinematography
Tami ReikerCinematographyThe Old Guard
Four undying warriors who've secretly protected humanity for centuries become targeted for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal.
What critics thought
Generally well-received, The Old Guard earns its goodwill through unusually purposeful action choreography and a director who brings character-driven instincts to what could have been rote superhero material — though critics noted the film occasionally sags under genre formula and Netflix-franchise ambition. The film's matter-of-fact portrayal of queer romance was singled out as genuinely significant, drawing as much critical attention as the action itself.
“Chunks of the picture are logy and formulaic (it dawdles on for two hours), but the director, Gina Prince-Bythewood (making a major lane change after Love & Basketball and The Secret Life of Bees), stages the fight scenes with ripe executionary finesse, and she teases out a certain soulful quality in her cast.”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Superhero battles that are eye popping and narratively motivated? Oh, yeah.”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
“Though The Old Guard tackles superhero-movie clichés in interesting ways, it has more difficulty with the emerging conventions of the Netflix movie”
Tom Breihan·The A.V. Club
“The sexuality of the characters is matter-of-fact and inconsequential to their ability to kick total-and-complete ass, yet also given the dignity of expressing and showing their love”
Kevin Fallon·The Daily Beast
Genres
Action, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Gina Prince-BythewoodDirectorCharlize TheronAndromache of Scythia / AndyKiKi LayneNile FreemanVeronica NgôQuynhMatthias SchoenaertsSebastien Le Livre / BookerMarwan KenzariYusuf Al-Kaysani / JoeLuca MarinelliNicolò di Genova / NickyChiwetel EjioforCopleyHarry MellingMerrickNatacha KaramDizzyAnamaria MarincaDr. Meta KozakJoey AnsahKeaneAdam CollinsStaff Sergeant RaserVolker BertelmannComposerDustin O'HalloranComposerGreg RuckaWriterBarry AckroydCinematographyTami ReikerCinematographyStream