Netflix Superhero Original Delivers Thrilling Adventure That Spans Centuries

Just what is The Old Guard about, exactly? The title is fairly literal, with the film’s narrative centering on warriors who have lived for centuries and can regenerate from the most grievous of wounds.

However, when nefarious forces want to capture this group and utilize their healing powers for themselves, it results in a rollicking action adventure that threatens to change everything these warriors know about their special power.

Like any great superhero film, The Old Guard is anchored by some “super” performances, including Charlize Theron, who manages to give her ancient warrior both pathos and a steely reserve.

The other ancient fighters in this film are played by Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, and Matthias Schoenaerts. Collectively, the group may not have the name-brand recognition of the average MCU film, but these actors have a wonderful chemistry together that helps sell the idea that they have been putting up with each other for many centuries.

For the most part, The Old Guard has been a smashing success: its Netflix release means there are no box office numbers to track, but the film made a huge splash on social media as soon as it landed.

One week after its 2020 release, Netflix confirmed the movie had been streamed by 72 million households, later clarifying the number was actually 78 million. That made the film a bona fide hit for the streaming service, and a sequel to The Old Guard is currently in production.

While this movie was obviously a hit with audiences watching at home, The Old Guard is also a movie that managed to impress the critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently has an 80 percent critical rating, with critics generally praising how director Gina Prince-Bythewood managed to add some fun surprises to a genre dominated mostly by the MCU.

Critics also praised the performance of Charlize Theron and the killer action sequences that hold this offbeat narrative together.

The final result is that The Old Guard simultaneously appeals to those who still love modern Marvel movies and those suffering from serious superhero fatigue. That may sound like high praise indeed, but you can find out for yourself by streaming this hit film on Netflix.

Honestly, the only downside to watching it is that you’ll begin to regret that Marvel and DC haven’t taken any cues from this unconventional, cape-less caper.