With a big new action sequel arriving on Netflix, now is the perfect time to check out the original, which is one of the streamer’s best. Netflix Original movies have produced some massive blockbusters, like Red Notice, as well as acclaimed prestige films, like The Power of the Dog and All Quiet on the Western Front.

However, when it comes to Netflix action movies, they have proven to be quite successful. Chris Hemsworth’s intense Extraction movies are action-packed thrill rides, and Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead was 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

 

Charlize Theron as Andy in The Old Guard with her teamOriginal SR Image by Shawn Lealos Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne look up at the sky while leaning against a car in The Old Guard Charlize Theron pointing a gun in The Old Guard Chiwetel Ejiofor stands in front of a board covered in various papers in The Old Guard Andy (Charlize Theron) grabbing an axe in The Old Guard Charlize Theron as Andy in The Old Guard with her team Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne look up at the sky while leaning against a car in The Old Guard Charlize Theron pointing a gun in The Old Guard Chiwetel Ejiofor stands in front of a board covered in various papers in The Old Guard Andy (Charlize Theron) grabbing an axe in The Old Guard

The Old Guard was 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 stars as 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 like Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic 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

 

Charlize Theron looking surprised as Andy in The Old Guard 2 Quynh looks into the distance in The Old Guard 2 Uma Thurman as Discord in The Old Guard 2 Booker talks into in-ear mic in The Old Guard 2 Charlize Theron looking surprised as Andy in The Old Guard 2 Quynh looks into the distance in The Old Guard 2 Uma Thurman as Discord in The Old Guard 2 Booker talks into in-ear mic in The Old Guard 2

While fans have been waiting five long years, The Old Guard 2 has finally arrived to continue the adventure. Released on July 2, 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.

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The wait for The Old Guard 2 seems especially long given the wild developments introduced near the end of The 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 of The Old Guard revealing 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 of The Old Guard reveals that Quỳnh 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 in The Old Guard 2.