Movie Name : The Old Guard 2
Streaming Date : July 2, 2025
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Henry Golding, Veronica Ngo, Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Uma Thurman, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli
Director : Victoria Mahoney
Producers : David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, AJ Dix, Marc Evans, Gina Prince-Bythewood
Music Directors : Steffen Thum, Ruth Barrett
Cinematographer : Barry Ackroyd
Editor : Matthew Schmidt
Related Links : Trailer
Five years after the first film made waves on Netflix during the pandemic, The Old Guard 2 has finally arrived. With Charlize Theron returning in the lead and a promising new villain played by Uma Thurman, expectations were naturally high. But does the film live up to them? Read our review to find out.
Story:
Andy (Charlize Theron), the once-immortal warrior, has lost her ability to heal, and no one knows why. Meanwhile, Quỳnh (Vân Veronica Ngô), her old ally, is brought back by Discord (Uma Thurman), the first immortal. However, Discord’s intentions are far from noble. She plans to turn Quỳnh against Andy and eliminate the rest of the immortal group. Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne), the newest member and the last immortal, tries to help, but things spiral when Discord captures the entire team. What follows is a rescue mission filled with betrayal, flashbacks, and a few emotional turns.
Plus Points:
The film opens and closes with well-crafted action scenes that are fast, brutal, and enjoyable. If you’re here for action, you’ll be satisfied.
Charlize Theron once again brings her trademark intensity to the role. She is especially strong in the physical scenes.
KiKi Layne adds energy and presence, while Matthias Schoenaerts (Booker) gets a slightly more meaningful role this time and handles it well. The other actors do their part adequately.
Minus Points:
The story is the weakest part. After such a long wait, this sequel feels thin. It starts with promise but quickly slips into a predictable and routine structure. The ending is abrupt and clearly meant to set up a third film, which leaves this chapter feeling incomplete.
Uma Thurman’s casting raised expectations, but her role is surprisingly underwritten. Discord has potential as a major villain, but the film never explores her backstory or motivations properly. Her scenes with Theron feel flat, and the final confrontation lacks emotional or dramatic impact.
While some personal moments between Andy and Booker work, the middle section drags. The film often feels like it’s holding back, saving its bigger ideas for another installment instead of delivering a full story now.
Technical Aspects:
The action scenes are well choreographed and cleanly shot. Victoria Mahoney’s direction is serviceable but lacks freshness. Barry Ackroyd’s visuals are neat, and Matthew Schmidt’s editing keeps things moving. The background score is passable. Overall, the production quality is solid, even if nothing stands out. Telugu dubbing is neatly done.
Verdict:
On the whole, The Old Guard 2 is not terrible. It features well-shot action, decent performances, and good visuals. But the story plays it too safe. The villain is underused, and the film ends with more questions than answers. After five years, audiences deserved more. If you’re a fan of the first film, you might still enjoy this one. Just lower your expectations and be prepared for a setup rather than a satisfying conclusion.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team