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The Old Guard 2 (2025)

The Old Guard 2 continues the story of immortal warriors struggling with eternity, but this time the story struggles to stay interesting.

Directed by Victoria Mahoney, known for second unit work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the film looks fine but lacks energy. The first film at least had novelty. This one has none. The action scenes are repetitive, the tone is self-serious, and it’s full of butch posturing with no real emotional stakes. The girl boss mentality is in full swing, but it doesn't make up for the lack of momentum.

Kiki Layne, returning from The Old Guard and also known for If Beale Street Could Talk, is meant to be the emotional center as the “Last Immortal,” but her performance is flat. She doesn’t bring the weight or presence the role needs, and most of her scenes fall into the background.

Charlize Theron, from Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde, returns as the leader, but she seems like she’s trying too hard. Her intensity feels forced this time, and even the fight scenes feel like she’s going through the motions. She’s still committed, but the spark is missing.

Veronica Ngo, best known for Da 5 Bloods and The Creator, is completely underutilized. She’s a talented martial artist with strong screen presence, but the film barely gives her anything to do. She feels more like a side note than a threat or asset.

Uma Thurman, known for Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction, plays the antagonist and overacts in nearly every scene. She leans into camp without the film earning it, and it ends up being more distracting than fun. The performance feels out of sync with everything else.

The biggest problem is that the movie is boring. Even the action scenes feel routine. No tension, no stakes, no real reason to care. Result: C

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