The Old Guard: There’s a Price to Pay for Immorality

TV & DVD

16/07/2020

The Old Guard: There’s a Price to Pay for Immorality

Charlize Theron movie review netflix new releases The Old Guard

(Image credit: Netflix)

What would you do if you knew you could never die? Would you go bungee jumping without a rope, knowing the fall would still hurt the same? Netflix’s latest action/fantasy release, The Old Guard has left us pondering immortality and the responsibility that would come with it. The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Greg Rucka, and by the end, we realised we’re most definitely better off with a temporary stay on this planet.

Starring Academy Award-winning actress, Charlize Theron, who plays ancient immortal, Andromache of Scythiathe, the plot revolves around four immortals: Andromache “Andy”, Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli). Together, they form an army of warriors that combats all evil.

THE OLD GUARD – Charlize Theron (“Andy”); Matthias Schoenaerts (“Booker’); Marwan Kenzari (“Joe”); Luca Marinelli (“NickyÓ). Photo credit: Aimee Spinks/NETFLIX

They are joined by a new immortal named Nile (KiKi Layne), a former US Marine, who, having served in Afghanistan, helps them on their path and eventually saves them from a tough predicament. The only twist is that their immortality runs out without any explanation – just like that! The group is on the run from authorities that would do anything to run tests on them to cure certain diseases, and to sell the said cure to the highest bidder.

THE OLD GUARD – Charlize Theron (“Andy”); Kiki Layne (“Nile”) Photo Credit: AIMEE SPINKS/NETFLIX ©2020

The film draws you in immediately because you want to see how the events will turn out, while the writing and directing by Greg Rucka helped to keep us intrigued. It was obvious that a sequel will be needed to pick up the unanswered questions hanging in the air right before the credits rolled. We would watch the follow-up because of great acting and speedy character development, along with a light, humorous tone that continually pokes fun at the movie’s central theme of immortality.

We would advise our readers to watch out for all the gore, as there are scenes with copious amounts of blood that might have you looking away at times. Apart from that, the idea that human life can be eternal does not sound too appealing now that we’ve understood the dangers that come with it.