Charlize Theron’s New Action Thriller With 24% RT Score Becomes Instant Netflix Global Hit

Charlize Theron‘s new action thriller with a 24% Rotten Tomatoes score has become an instant global hit on Netflix. After gaining recognition in the 1990s for her leading roles in The Devil’s Advocate, Mighty Joe Young, and The Cider House Rules, Theron won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003).

After becoming the first South African to win an Oscar for acting, Theron earned another nomination for playing a woman fighting for justice after being sexually assaulted in North Country (2005). From there, Theron went on to star in numerous high-grossing action films, including The Italian Job (2003), Hancock (2008), Prometheus (2012), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), and Atomic Blonde (2017).

Theron has also starred in several Fast & Furious entries – The Fate of the Furious (2017), F9 (2021), and Fast X (2023). But still, her performances as complex and emotionally troubled women in Jason Reitman’s dark comedies Young Adult (2011) and Tully (2018) received critical praise, and her portrayal of Megyn Kelly in Bombshell (2019) earned her a third Oscar nomination.

The Old Guard 2 Becomes An Instant Netflix Global Hit

It Ranks 1st For The Week

The Old Guard 2 has become an instant global hit on Netflix. A sequel to 2020’s The Old Guard, Netflix’s new action thriller continues following Charlize Theron’s Andy as she leads a group of immortal warriors battling a formidable enemy while confronting the return of a long-lost immortal that jeopardizes their mission to protect humanity.

In addition to Theron, The Old Guard 2 cast also includes KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngô, and Chiwetel Ejiofor reprising their roles from the first film with Henry Golding and Uma Thurman joining the ensemble. The sequel is directed by Victoria Mahoney and co-written by Greg Rucka, based on his comic book.

Netflix Aims For A Trilogy As New Blockbuster Sequel Ends On A Cliffhanger

The Old Guard 2’s wild cliffhanger ending sets the stage for an intense third film and gives Andy an unexpected ally in the fight against Discord.

Now, following its release on July 2, the sequel has become an instant global hit on Netflix. The Old Guard 2 ranks first on Netflix’s Global Top 10 movies for the week of June 30 to July 6 with 37.5 million views and 66.8 million hours viewed.

It ranks above KPop Demon Hunters, Infinite, The Old Guard, Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, Shark Whisperer, Plane, Grown Ups 2, and STRAW.

The Old Guard 2 is Netflix’s No. 1 movie in 74 countries this week, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, South Africa, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.

Our Take On The Old Guard 2’s Netflix Success

It’s Still One Sequel That Probably Shouldn’t Have Been Made

The Old Guard 2 seems like a sequel that probably shouldn’t have been made. Though it’s racking up a ton of views since Netflix subscribers will watch anything new on the streaming service, it doesn’t seem like many are actually enjoying it.

The emerging franchise feel(s) tired before it even begins…

Evidenced by its dismal 23% and 37% scores on Rotten Tomatoes, The Old Guard 2 reviews criticize the sequel for being weighed down by dull storytelling and weak execution, making the emerging franchise feel tired before it even begins.

Source: Netflix