Far beyond the usual promise of entertainment, the adaptation of “The Old Guard” stands out as a symbolic landmark in the contemporary audiovisual industry. With a hefty budget of 70 million dollars, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s direction not only represents a personal achievement but signals a rupture in the power structures of American cinema. By becoming the first Black woman to lead a project of this scale in the United States, she inscribes her trajectory into a history previously marked by silences and absences. Her role, however, extends beyond the technical scope of direction: she also became the conciliating force responsible for restoring creative cohesion when screenwriter Greg Rucka was removed amid tensions with lead actress Charlize Theron. Rucka’s reinstatement, made possible by Prince-Bythewood’s diplomatic skill, restored not only the team but the very integrity of the narrative.
The plot, centered on the complexity of beings who defy human mortality, offers an unconventional perspective on the concept of immortality. Andy, a millennia-old leader of a group of warriors who do not die — until they do — guides her companions through battles that span centuries, yet bear the weight of an imminent end. This paradoxical condition, blending permanence and fragility, provides a rare existential lens within superhero tales. Booker, Joe, and Nicky, united by a shared eternity, see their mission disrupted when their nature is exposed by Copley, a former ally who, through betrayal, also reveals something greater: there are more like them. The introduction of Nile, a young Marine newly awakened to her immortality, breaks the cycle and reignites questions of belonging and purpose.
The strength of the narrative lies in its ability to weave the epic with the intimate, the historical with the mythical. Andy, whose existence dates back to antiquity, carries in her gaze the traces of forgotten eras. Joe and Nicky, once enemies turned lovers during the Crusades, and Booker, with his memories still fresh from the 19th century, form a human tapestry that defies time. Nile’s arrival, unburdened by this collective memory, revitalizes the group but also exposes its fractures. Hunted by the ambitious Merrick, who seeks to exploit their bodies as tools of pharmaceutical power, the immortals are forced to confront not only their enemies but the meaning of their own existence. The rescue of Joe and Nicky becomes, thus, a metaphor for reclaiming something greater: dignity in the face of exploitation.
The past, in “The Old Guard”’s universe, is not merely a backdrop but an essential component of its protagonists’ identities. Copley, upon realizing that these warriors decisively influenced humanity’s course, transforms from traitor to ally. His shift in perspective, grounded in the discovery that the immortals not only survived but shaped collective destiny, redefines the ongoing struggle. The narrative expands beyond adventure, inviting the viewer to reflect on historical cycles and the anonymous agents behind major events. With a vast universe yet to be explored, the story paves the way for further journeys, sustained by the depth of its characters and the richness of their legacy.
The confirmation of a sequel and the addition of names like Uma Thurman and Henry Golding to the cast, under the direction of Victoria Mahoney, signal the continuation of a vision that refuses worn-out formulas. Charlize Theron’s return promises the preservation of a storyline centered on Andy’s strength and vulnerability, while new conflicts and revelations are set to widen the boundaries of this universe. “The Old Guard”, more than an action film, is an inquiry into time, power, and memory. Every battle, every betrayal, every alliance reshapes not only the fate of its characters but the viewer’s perception of what it truly means to be immortal. And, in the end, the lingering question is not whether living forever is possible, but whether such a gift — or curse — is bearable.
Film: The Old Guard
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Year: 2020
Genre: Action
Rating: 8/10