Directed by
Victoria Mahoney
Made by
Netflix
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Old Guard 2 (2025). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In this captivating film, we follow the lives of four centuries-old immortal assassins—Charlize Theron as Andy, Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker, Marwan Kenzari as Joe, and Luca Marinelli as Nicky—who are determined to remain hidden from the world. Their existence is marked by constant danger and the need for utmost secrecy, which is vividly illustrated when Andy discreetly erases a photo featuring her to prevent their identities from being exposed.
The story begins with an intense scene where the four are ambushed and shot during a covert operation in South Sudan, highlighting both their vulnerabilities and resilience. Despite being riddled with bullets, their supernatural healing abilities enable them to recover swiftly and eliminate the threat, revealing their secret power to the audience. Their mission, assigned by Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an ex-CIA operative, involves tracking down a violent militia terrorizing local communities. As they navigate this perilous assignment, they realize they may have been set up, and the scene ends with them injured and questioning their trust in Copley and their own allies.
The narrative then shifts to scenes in Afghanistan where Nile Freeman (Kiki Layne), leading a team of U.S. Marines, encounters a brutal terrorist leader. During a mission to rescue captives, Nile is gravely wounded but, much to everyone’s surprise, heals completely while in a medic tent, hinting at her own immortality. This awakens the four assassins to the possibility of finding someone like them—a revelation that deeply impacts their understanding of their own existence.
In London, Copley attends a presentation of technological advancements from his employer, Merrick, who aims to use his company’s innovations to save lives. Copley shows Merrick footage of the assassins’ recent mission, impressing him but demanding concrete proof of their supernatural abilities for further experiments, which hints at Merrick’s increasingly dangerous intentions.
The story explores Nile’s growing sense of alienation after her near-death experience, leading her to be transferred for more tests. Andy quickly intervenes, rescuing Nile from the authorities and later revealing her own doubts about their purpose and mortality. As Nile begins to suspect her newfound abilities, she and Andy meet in conflict, with Nile grasping that she truly cannot die, a realization that profoundly affects her.
Further flashbacks reveal the tragic tale of Quynh (van Veronica Ngo), Andy’s former partner and the first immortal she encountered. Quynh was captured and sealed in an iron coffin to drown for centuries, a haunting image that underscores the everlasting pain of their curse. Nile’s empathetic connection to Quynh’s suffering becomes a poignant subplot, emphasizing the enduring toll of their immortality.
The protagonists face devastating setbacks when Merrick’s mercenaries—employing increasingly vicious tactics—attack their hideout, capturing some team members and wounding others. During confrontations, Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky are subjected to brutal interrogations, revealing the extent to which Merrick seeks to destroy or control them. Meanwhile, Booker’s betrayal is uncovered when he turns against the team, shooting Andy, believing Merrick’s claim that ending their immortality could bring peace.
As Andy’s wounds heal more slowly, the remaining team members unite for one final assault on Merrick’s facility. During this climactic showdown, Copley joins forces with Nile, revealing his own conflicted role and helping to free the captives. Andy fights Merrick directly, ultimately killing him with her axe before Nile pushes him out of a window, ending his reign of terror. Their victory is hard-won, with wounds and scars serving as a reminder of what they’ve endured.
In the aftermath, Nile is considered “killed in action,” a cover story to protect her from Merrick’s lingering shadow. The team resolves to remain in hiding, with Copley continuing to assist them. Booker, having betrayed his friends, is sent into a century-long exile in Paris, where he is unexpectedly visited by Quynh, reopening old wounds and hinting at the ongoing pain and unresolved battles that define their eternal lives.
Throughout the film, themes of loyalty, betrayal, resilience, and the quest for peace in a life without death intertwine, creating a richly textured story that examines what it truly means to live forever.
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Old Guard 2 (2025) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Opening Firefight
The film begins with four people lying on the ground, riddled with bullets, as Andromache 'Andy' reflects on her exhaustion with this violent life. It sets the tone of relentless violence and the toll it takes on the immortals. The opening scene introduces their vulnerable, wounded state after a deadly attack.
Meeting in Morocco
Earlier, Andy gathers with her partners Booker, Joe, and Nicky in Morocco, where they operate as centuries-old, secretive immortal assassins. They are tasked with a clandestine mission and must erase any traces of their existence to stay hidden from the world. Their team prepares to meet with ex-CIA operative James Copley about a new assignment.
Ambush in South Sudan
The team arrives in South Sudan to confront a militia terrorizing local populations. They are swiftly ambushed and shot, but their immortality allows them to heal quickly, enabling them to fight back and escape. Andy destroys a camera, suspecting Copley set up a surveillance trap to expose their secret.
Rescue in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, a U.S. Marine team led by Nile Freeman seeks to rescue women from a terrorist base. Nile is injured during the mission, but her wound unexpectedly heals fully, revealing her immortality. This realization prompts the group to understand that she shares their unique longevity.
Copley's Presentation in London
Copley presents to his employer Merrick, showcasing footage of the immortal team’s recent mission, impressing him but also raising concerns about proof of their abilities. Merrick seeks concrete evidence for his pharmaceutical experiments, hinting at his interest in the immortals' unique physiology.
Nile's Capture and Escape
Nile is taken to Germany for testing despite her protests. Andy intercepts her and rescues her in a tense drive, where Nile attempts to escape and even forces Andy at gunpoint to fly a plane. The deception is revealed when the pilot plays dead, illustrating Nile's growing awareness of her own insuperability.
Introduction to Immortality and Quynh
At their hideout, the team learns about their immortality and their shared history. Andy recounts how she found Quynh, the first immortal she discovered, who was trapped in an iron coffin for 500 years after being captured and killed repeatedly by those fearing her inhuman nature.
Attacks and Betrayals
The team’s hideout is attacked by mercenaries—Booker is wounded, Joe and Nicky are captured, and Andy fights back fiercely. During the chaos, Merrick’s men reveal their brutality by torturing Joe and Nicky, prompting a fight for survival and trust among the immortals.
Booker’s Betrayal
Booker betrays Andy by shooting her, revealing he has allied with Merrick possibly to end their immortality. He justifies his actions as a way to find peace, but his wounds heal more slowly afterward, indicating his loss of their regenerative trait. The betrayal deepens the team's fractures.
Rescue and Rebellion
Nile discovers Copley’s willingness to help them and forces him to aid in rescuing the others from Merrick’s facility. Together, they fight Merrick’s mercenaries and free the team, culminating in a standoff where Andy kills Merrick and Nile tackles him out of a window, ending his reign of terror.
Victory and Aftermath
With Merrick defeated and the team rescued, they decide to continue their fight, with Copley helping them stay hidden. Andy’s wounds heal completely, emphasizing their resilience. Booker's exile begins as he is forced to live in solitude for his betrayal.
Six Months Later
Six months pass, and Booker returns drunkenly to his apartment in Paris. He is shocked to experience an unexpected visitor—Quynh, the first immortal, who had been trapped for centuries. This reunion hints at future threats and unresolved histories, suggesting the cycle of immortality’s burdens continues.
Explore all characters from The Old Guard 2 (2025). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Andy (Charlize Theron)
A seasoned and stoic leader, Andy has endured centuries of battles and personal loss. She is driven by a desire to protect her team and prevent their secrets from being exposed. Her weariness is balanced by her strength and resolve.
Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts)
A veteran immortal with a complex moral code, Booker struggles with betrayal and his desire for peace. His actions reveal a conflicted nature, torn between loyalty and self-preservation.
Nile (Kiki Layne)
A young and resilient soldier who discovers her immortality mid-mission. She questions her purpose and grapples with the reality of her condition and her connection to her past and family.
Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
A former CIA operative turned scientist, Copley seeks to understand and potentially harness the immortals' powers. His ethical boundaries are tested as he navigates corporate interests versus moral considerations.
Merrick (Harry Melling)
A corporate leader interested in exploiting immortality for profit. His pursuit of scientific advancement demonstrates greed and a lack of moral compass, posing a threat to the team.
Quynh (Veronica Ngo)
The first immortal and Andy’s close friend, Quynh’s tragic fate highlights the cost of immortality. Her enduring agony symbolizes the emotional toll of centuries of suffering.
Learn where and when The Old Guard 2 (2025) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Contemporary
The events take place in the present day, reflecting modern military and scientific advancements. The story integrates current technologies and geopolitical issues, emphasizing ongoing conflicts and the quest for immortality within a modern context.
Location
Morocco, South Sudan, Afghanistan, London, France, Germany, Paris
The movie spans various locations including Morocco, South Sudan, Afghanistan, London, and France, highlighting a global scope. These places serve as backdrops for intense missions and personal struggles. Each location adds to the narrative's sense of adventure and peril, showcasing different environments from desert bases to bustling cities.
Discover the main themes in The Old Guard 2 (2025). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Immortality
The core theme revolves around immortality and its consequences. The characters grapple with centuries of existence, their inability to die, and the pain of long-lasting loss. The movie explores how eternal life affects their relationships and sense of purpose.
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Global Conflict
The film depicts worldwide conflicts, including terrorism, military operations, and corporate exploitation. These elements underscore the ongoing struggle between good and evil, as well as the power dynamics driven by technology and corrupt institutions.
Unravel the ending of The Old Guard 2 (2025) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.
The ending of The Old Guard 2 takes a darker turn compared to the comic books and leaves many questions open. After Noriko, now called Quynh, returns from the ocean, she is filled with hatred for humanity, believing herself to be a devil sent to make humans suffer. She manipulates Andy into joining her, trying to turn her against her team. This causes a rift between Andy and the others, especially when Andy, overwhelmed by her past deeds as a brutal warrior, loses control in a rescue mission, slaughtering Noriko’s men in a fit of rage. This outburst exposes Andy’s darker history—her past as a slave trader who sold prisoners of war, a fact she struggles to hide from her teammates. Her words and actions reveal her inner turmoil and frustration with her own dark past, pushing her further away from her friends. Nile and the others desperately want Andy to reject violence and find peace, but Andy is overwhelmed by feelings of loneliness and betrayal. Noriko, seizing this moment, offers Andy friendship and plays on her fears of abandonment, further pushing her toward the dark side. By the film’s end, Noriko hints at forming a new, possibly sinister alliance, suggesting she either has other immortals or runs a crime syndicate. The story ends with the possibility of new conflicts on the horizon, leaving viewers wondering whether Andy will ultimately reconcile with her team or be pulled further into Noriko’s world. This ending explores themes of inner struggle, mistrust, and the corrupting influence of hatred and loneliness, setting the stage for future conflicts in the franchise.
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