The Old Guard Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Immortal warriors who are tired of living have to save themselves from a pharmaceutical bro who wants to make money off their blood, and also deal with feelings.

🍿 The Old Guard: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Immortal Mercenaries

Andromache of Scythia, or Andy, leads a team of immortal mercenaries who have been protecting humanity for centuries. The team includes Booker, Joe, and Nicky, all possessing regenerative healing abilities. They operate in the shadows, taking on missions that align with their moral code.

Betrayal and Exposure

The team accepts a mission from ex-CIA operative James Copley to rescue kidnapped children. However, the mission is a setup, and they are ambushed. Copley films their regenerative abilities, exposing their secret to the world. This leads to a dangerous pursuit by those who seek to exploit their immortality.

The New Immortal

Meanwhile, US Marine Nile Freeman discovers her own immortality after surviving a fatal injury in Afghanistan. She is haunted by shared dreams with the other immortals, leading Andy to seek her out. Nile is brought into the fold and begins to learn about the realities and burdens of their eternal existence.

Captured and Tortured

Pharmaceutical executive Steven Merrick learns of the immortals and seeks to capture them for experimentation. Joe and Nicky are captured, while Andy is injured and discovers her healing abilities are failing. Booker betrays the group, hoping Merrick will end their immortality, but soon realizes Merrick’s true intentions.

Rescue and Retribution

Nile, with Copley’s help, rescues the team. They confront Merrick, and Nile kills him, ending his threat. As punishment for his betrayal, Booker is exiled from the group for 100 years.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Andy (Charlize Theron): A centuries-old immortal warrior leading a team of mercenaries, grappling with the burden of her endless life.
• Nile (KiKi Layne): A U.S. Marine who discovers she is immortal and is thrust into a world she doesn’t understand.
• Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts): An immortal member of Andy’s team who becomes disillusioned with their endless existence and seeks an end to it.
• Joe (Marwan Kenzari): An immortal warrior and Nicky’s lover, deeply committed to fighting for what’s right alongside his team.
• Nicky (Luca Marinelli): An immortal warrior and Joe’s lover, fighting alongside his team for centuries.
• Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor): A former CIA operative who initially betrays the immortals but later redeems himself by aiding their cause.
• Merrick (Harry Melling): A ruthless pharmaceutical executive who seeks to exploit the immortals for profit.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe: “This man is more to me than you can dream. He’s the moon when I’m lost in darkness and warmth when I shiver in cold.” – Joe passionately defends his relationship with Nicky against a soldier’s mocking question, expressing his deep love and connection.
• Andy: “We’re not heroes. And things don’t get better. They just get different.” – Andy explains her world-weary perspective on their purpose and the nature of their work to Nile.
• Nile: “What do you mean forever? I have a Mom.” – Nile expresses her disbelief and immediate concern for her family upon learning about her immortality.
• Andy: “I’m so tired of this world, and I don’t even want to be a part of it anymore.” – Andy reveals her deep-seated weariness and disillusionment with the world after centuries of existence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Old Guard Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘The Old Guard’ to be a mixed bag. The concept of immortal warriors fighting through the ages is fascinating. The action scenes are well-choreographed and Charlize Theron is as badass as ever. The soundtrack feels like an odd choice in many scenes. The subplot about the immortal couple and their love for each other felt very heartfelt. Overall, an enjoyable watch, especially if you like action flicks with a bit of depth. I’m hoping for a sequel that addresses some of the issues raised.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action movies”
  • “Charlize Theron fans”
  • “People who enjoy superhero-esque stories with a darker tone”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about immortality and its consequences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some thematic elements related to mortality and the value of life”
  • “Brief suggestive dialogue”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “An intriguing and fun idea with a number of enjoyable action sequences and a fair few plot twists. The main reason for watching this though is the presence of Theron who is the real star here. The downside here for such a superhero type project is the low budget – it looks a bit cheap sometimes like an episode of an action tv series from the seventies.
• IMDB: “Good story bad dailogs & songs that dont fit in. Some cheesy dialogs and sentiments.the fight scenes are good to watch and ruined by songs in the background. watchable if nothing else to watch
• IMDB: “Looks like a lazy film made for TV, aiming mostly at a teenage audience. Not even a scratch on Atomic Blonde and Mad Max, two others Charlize’s action films, which are in a different league to this mediocrity.

Audience Reactions

Charlize Theron’s performance as Andy is captivating and adds depth to the movie.: Many viewers enjoyed the action sequences and the unique premise of immortal mercenaries.

The gay character in the movie was unexpected and was loved by many audiences.: Most viewers agrees that there is potential for future sequels

Overall Consensus: While the movie has a compelling premise and strong action sequences, some viewers found the execution to be lacking, with issues in the plot and music choice. Overall, the film is seen as a decent action flick with potential for improvement in a sequel.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Greg Rucka, the author of the comic book series on which the film is based, also wrote the first draft of the screenplay. After some issues with it, he was later recommissioned by Gina Prince-Bythewood to work on it again.”
• “The movie explores themes of immortality, purpose, and the burden of living for centuries while witnessing human history unfold.”
• “While the film showcases intense action sequences, it also delves into the emotional and psychological toll that immortality can take on individuals.”
• “The choice of music in the film was a point of contention for some viewers, with some finding the soundtrack jarring and unfitting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Old Guard?

The Old Guard is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it is not available for purchase on physical media or through other digital retailers like Prime Video or Apple TV. A Netflix subscription is required to watch the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Old Guard, you might like these similar films:

• Highlander (1986): Explores the lives of immortal warriors who battle each other throughout history, with similar themes of immortality and combat.
• Equilibrium (2002): Features a skilled protagonist fighting against a corrupt system, showcasing gun-fu action and themes of rebellion and control.
• Wanted (2008): Centers on an ordinary person who discovers extraordinary abilities and is drawn into a world of assassins, featuring stylized action and secret societies.
• Immortals (2011): Similar premise of immortal warriors battling against mortals, features a mix of violence and gore and a revenge storyline.
• Army of Two (2008): Relatively unknown, but it shares the theme of tight-knit mercenary groups taking on missions around the world.

🛒 The Old Guard Related Products

• The Old Guard Book One: Opening Fire: The comic book that inspired the movie, written by Greg Rucka. Explore the characters and their histories in greater detail with expanded storylines.
• Battle Axe Replica: A detailed replica of the battle axe wielded by Andromache (Andy) in the film. Made with high-quality materials for display or cosplay.
• The Old Guard Movie Poster: A high-quality print of The Old Guard movie poster, perfect for decorating any room. Available in various sizes and finishes.
• T-shirt: Show your love for the ‘The Old Guard’ with a shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Old Guard features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Born Alone, Die Alone” – performed by Madalen Duke

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Old Guard Through History | Netflix

Dive into the rich history of the Old Guard in this exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette from Netflix. Get a glimpse into their extraordinary journey through the ages and discover the secrets behind their enduring legacy.

We lied to you about The Old Guard | Netflix

Test your knowledge with this fun trivia challenge from Netflix! Uncover 21 intriguing facts about The Old Guard, but be prepared to spot the hidden lie. It’s a captivating blend of entertainment and movie insight.

The Old Guard – How To Waste A Great Idea

Join the discussion with The Critical Drinker as he delves into The Old Guard. This insightful review dissects the film’s execution, exploring both its captivating elements and missed opportunities. Whether you loved or felt let down by the movie, this video will spark your thoughts and add depth to your understanding.

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