The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Old Guard
Entertainment • Film

The Old Guard

The Old Guard is a 2020 American superhero film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Greg Rucka, based on his comic book series.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Old Guard is a 2020 American superhero film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Greg Rucka, based on his comic book series. The film stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Veronica Ngô, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It follows a group of immortal mercenaries who are targeted after their abilities are exposed, and was released on Netflix on July 10, 2020.

Premise

The Old Guard centers on a team of immortal mercenaries who can heal from injuries. The story follows this secretive group of immortal warriors who have protected humanity for centuries. After their powers are exposed, they are forced to fight to preserve their freedom and secrecy.

Production

The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Greg Rucka, adapting his comic book series (The Old Guard by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández). It was produced for Netflix as an English-language American superhero film.

Release and reception

The Old Guard was released worldwide on Netflix on July 10, 2020. Reviews were generally positive, with critics frequently praising its action choreography and Charlize Theron's lead performance.

Sequel

A sequel titled The Old Guard 2 was released in 2025, continuing the story of Andy and the immortal team.

Key facts

  • The film is based on Greg Rucka’s comic book series The Old Guard.
  • It centers on a team of immortal mercenaries who can heal from injuries.
  • Charlize Theron plays the team’s leader, Andy.
  • The film premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2020.
  • A sequel, The Old Guard 2, was released in 2025.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was available to Canadian viewers through Netflix, a major streaming platform in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Old Guard about?
It follows a group of immortal mercenaries who are exposed and then targeted because of their healing abilities.
Who directed The Old Guard?
Gina Prince-Bythewood directed the film.
Who wrote The Old Guard?
Greg Rucka wrote the screenplay and created the comic book source material.
When was The Old Guard released?
It was released on Netflix on July 10, 2020.
Is The Old Guard based on a comic?
Yes. It is based on Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández’s comic book series.
Did The Old Guard get a sequel?
Yes. The sequel, The Old Guard 2, was released in 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Guard_(2020_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, premise, Netflix release date, sequel reference
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81038963
    Supports: Official synopsis, cast listing, release platform, genre labeling
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_old_guard
    Supports: Runtime, rating, synopsis, credits, release date, genre
  4. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/old-guard-1301273/
    Supports: Critical reception and praise for lead performance
  5. Netflix — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK-X2d0lJ_s
    Supports: Official trailer synopsis and core premise
  6. Netflix — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyivgZ074PY
    Supports: Sequel confirmation and 2025 continuation