Critics have sunk their claws into Netflix’s ‘piece of garbage’ action film – but viewers love it and have demanded a sequel.
The Old Guard 2, which hit the streamer on July 2, follows a cast of immortal mercenaries, led by Charlize Theron and Henry Golding.
The superhero film, which stars Uma Thurman as its main antagonist, is a follow-up to the first instalment from 2020, which was generally positively received.
Reviewers have generally blasted the sequel as ‘tedious’ – but fans seem to be loving it, sending it right to the top of the Netflix charts.
The first film has also surged to number five on the streamer’s film ranking as viewers revisit the franchise.
In fact, in quite the contrast to the critics’ panning of the follow-up, fans have taken to social media to demand a third film.
One said on discussion site Reddit: ‘I will be so upset if they do not make another one. Especially after the ending of the second movie left us hanging like that.
‘They better be giving us a third one or I will quit Netflix for good.’
Another similarly said, pointing out both films are in Australia’s top ten, with the sequel at number one: ‘I loved both movies and screamed in both excitement and annoyance because of the cliffhanger.
‘I hope eagerly that Netflix will do something good for once and give us a part three.’
Other fans, despite not completely loving the second film, suggested they would still tune in to another instalment: ‘The sequel was absolutely terrible.
‘They could’ve at least wrapped it up completely or just left the first movie alone.
‘And if there is a part three, we know we’ll have to wait a year and a half for it with the way Netflix operates.’
Someone else commented: ‘Everyone saying they didn’t like the second one knows deep down they will watch the third one regardless.’
But there were a couple of Netflix fans who shared the negative views of the critics: ‘Sadly, I’m sure there will be a third.
‘By not writing an ending to the second, they are basically holding Netflix hostage to make a third because everyone will riot if there isn’t.
‘Personally, I hope there isn’t. They shouldn’t be rewarded for that piece of garbage they call a movie.’
Based on a comic book series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, the first Old Guard film introduces us to the crowd of centuries-old immortals.
Led by Charlize’s character Andy, they find out someone has discovered their survival secret and they must fight to protect their freedom.
The second, meanwhile, sees the warriors regroup after the events of the first film – and soon faced with another mysterious threat.
The critics’ consensus summary on review site Rotten Tomatoes is very positive for the first instalment.
It reads: ‘The Old Guard is occasionally restricted by genre conventions but director Gina Prince-Bythewood brings a sophisticated vision to the superhero genre – and some knockout action sequences led by Charlize Theron.’
But the summary of the critics’ views on the second film is much less favourable: ‘Bogged down by tedious lore and lackluster execution, The Old Guard 2 finds this budding franchise already long in the tooth.’
Netflix is yet to confirm if there will be a third instalment to resolve the cliffhanger ending of the sequel – so fans could be left waiting for some time yet.
The Old Guard 2 joins a canon of popular female-led action films available on Netflix.
The Wrath Of Becky, for example, which premiered in 2023 but was added to the streamer last month, had fans praising it as ‘the female John Wick’.
Packed full of action and blood, the highly acclaimed action thriller film stars Lulu Wilson as the titular lead character, teenager and orphan Becky.
She moves in with new caregiver Elena – but soon finds herself seeking revenge after three extremist attackers target her new home.
The film follows a 2020 prequel called Becky, which saw the young girl lose her father after a group of Neo-Nazi convicts attacked their family’s lake house.
Fans have enjoyed the movie over the years and many have left their verdicts online.
One viewer penned on film review site Letterboxd: ‘I could watch Lulu Wilson play Becky in 10 more sequels.’
Another said: ‘She’s basically the female version of a teenage John Wick.’
Someone else penned: ‘They could make 100 films about Becky slaying Proud Boys and Neo Nazis and I would watch every single one of them.’
‘Solid revenge thriller with some lovely kills and a little twist of humour’, another added.
The Old Guard 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
