Despite a wave of mixed to negative reviews, The Old Guard 2, which released on Netflix on July 2, has surged to the top of the global streaming charts, even becoming a top trend in India. Headlined once again by Charlize Theron, the film's success appears to be driven more by curiosity, franchise familiarity, and star power than critical acclaim.
It currently holds the #1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list, ranking number one in 74 countries, including major markets like the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, and India. What makes this even more surprising is the fact that the sequel has been panned for its underwhelming storytelling, lack of energy, and a frustrating cliffhanger ending.
Critics, including those from the Associated Press, have highlighted the film's “non-ending” as one of its greatest flaws. Rather than leaving audiences intrigued, the cliffhanger has reportedly left many viewers annoyed, with some calling it a sequel that never needed to be made. The review also calls it a “background movie” — good enough for casual viewing, but lacking the edge or inventiveness to hold deep interest.
Despite all that, The Old Guard 2 has outperformed a wide range of titles on Netflix, including:
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K Pop Demon Hunters
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Infinite
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The Old Guard (original)
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Plane
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Grown Ups 2
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Shark Whisperer
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STRAW
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Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel
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Trainwreck: Poop Cruise
The film continues the story of Andy (Charlize Theron) and her band of immortal warriors, now facing a new threat that endangers her fragile, newly discovered mortality. Alongside Theron, the ensemble includes Kiki Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Henry Golding, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Uma Thurman.
Though the first installment, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was praised for its fresh take on superhero tropes, the sequel — still based on Greg Rucka’s graphic novel — seems to have lost narrative momentum. Viewers and critics alike feel that The Old Guard 2 fails to capture the emotional or action-driven impact of the original.
In short, the film is riding high on brand recognition and binge potential, but struggling to leave a lasting impression. Its streaming success may be big, but its creative impact feels small — and for many, that’s a disappointment.
