The Old Guard 2 Is the Worst Netflix Sequel Yet

Despite a stacked cast, a returning fanbase, and a budget that clearly wasn't small, the film has landed with a thud. If you were hoping for a satisfying follow-up to the first movie, it looks like you're going to be disappointed — and you're not alone.

Here's what the numbers say:

• Critics score on Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
• Audience score (Popcornmeter): 44%
• First film's Rotten Tomatoes scores: 80% (critics), 71% (audience)
• Runtime: 104 minutes
• Release date: July 1, 2025
• Director: Victoria Mahoney
• Writer: Greg Rucka

For context: the original Old Guard wasn't exactly revolutionary, but it was entertaining, slick, and had just enough heart to earn a "certified fresh" rating. The sequel? Critics are calling it a pale imitation, and fans are… not pulling punches.

User reviews on Rotten Tomatoes read like a demolition site:

• "This is a parody of the film from 2020, and it's not even funny." — Tommy F. (½ star)
• "Poorly plotted and acted. I couldn't make it to the end and cut it off." — Anthony T.
• "Why can't Netflix make a decent film? Why?" — C. F.
• "Insanely underwhelming and boring... I'll skip part 3 if they dare." — Unknown
• "Terrible dialogue, uneven acting, weird tone shifts into comedy... I was out in 20 minutes." — Christophe V.

To be fair, not everyone hated it. One user, Paul S., gave it 4.5 stars and called it "awesome," praising the action and story. But scroll through the rest of the reactions and it's clear: this is the lowest low in a franchise that didn't exactly have a high ceiling to begin with.

The film brings back Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and others from the original cast. This time, they're joined by Henry Golding and Uma Thurman — and yet somehow, nothing clicks.

Viewers are particularly annoyed that Thurman, an action icon, is barely used. As one headline put it: why cast Uma Thurman in an action movie if you're going to bench her?

Directed by Victoria Mahoney and based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka (who also wrote the screenplay), the sequel follows Theron's character Andy as she deals with her newly acquired mortality. But apparently, immortality wasn't the only thing this franchise lost — pacing, plot, and purpose seem to be gone too.

After five years of build-up, Netflix delivered a 104-minute shrug. At this point, even the immortals are probably wishing this one had stayed buried.