The Old Guard 2: What We Know & Why Fans Are Talking
Plot
- The Old Guard 2 dropped on Netflix on July 2, 2025.
- Directed by Victoria Mahoney, written by Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker.
- The immortals are back: Andy (Charlize Theron), Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenari) & Nicky (Luca Marinelli) remain central characters. Alongside them are returning characters Booker, Quỳnh, James Copley; new additions include Henry Golding (Tuah) and Uma Thurman.
- New plot points:
-Andy is now mortal (she can die), raising the stakes for the team.
-The return of Quỳnh from her underwater imprisonment. A mysterious villain (Discord, played by Uma Thurman).
Queer Representation: Where It Shines & Where It Stumbles
Joe & Nicky remain one of the few openly gay couples in a major action blockbuster. Their love and bond were one of the hallmarks of the first film.
However, many fans have raised concerns that The Old Guard 2 reduces the emotional visibility of their relationship. In comparison to the first film, their romance is less central, less intimate in physical gestures.
Instead of a kiss (as in the original), the sequel features a more subdued moment (a forehead touch) between Joe & Nicky. This shift has been viewed by many as a regression in queer visibility.
Fan Reception & Critique
Mixed to negative reviews in many circles. Critics cite that the sequel is weaker in emotional grounding, particularly in how queer characters are handled.
Fans express disappointment: the shift in focus away from Joe & Nicky, and the diminished romantic depth, have led to feelings that the sequel sidelines what made the first film resonate strongly with many LGBTQ+ viewers.
The Old Guard series remains a rare example of a blockbuster action film that integrates queer romance without making it a side plot. The level of visibility granted to Joe & Nicky in the first film was a milestone.
In The Old Guard 2, the tension between commercial blockbuster expectations and queer authenticity is on display: fans expect more than tokenism; they expect the emotional truth to be upheld.
The reception of the sequel is a reminder that representation must be maintained and cannot be discounted in sequels without noticeable cost to queer audiences’ trust and sense of inclusion.
