The Old Guard – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Old Guard

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Immortal mercenaries with centuries of experience fight to protect their secret—solid action, grown-up violence, Charlize Theron being a badass.

6.7/10

80%

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The Old Guard

movie

R, 2020

48%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Immortal mercenaries with centuries of experience fight to protect their secret—solid action, grown-up violence, Charlize Theron being a badass.

6.7

80%

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6.7/10

80%

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Screenwise Verdict

The Old Guard is a competent, well-reviewed action thriller with an interesting hook—immortal warriors who've protected humanity for centuries. It's got solid performances (Charlize Theron is excellent), decent action sequences, and raises some genuinely interesting questions about purpose and mortality.

But let's be clear: this is an adult action movie. There's significant violence, gunfights, and the whole premise involves watching people die and regenerate repeatedly. It's not for kids or younger teens.

For older teens and adults who like action movies with a bit more brain than typical superhero fare, this is a solid Netflix watch. It's not going to change your life, but it's entertaining and makes you think a little. Just don't expect your 10-year-old to handle it—save this one for when they're older.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (16+) and adults. The violence level, mature themes about mortality and war, and action-heavy execution make it inappropriate for younger viewers. Good choice for families with older teens who can handle R-rated action and want something with a bit more substance than pure superhero fare.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Action-heavy with mercenary violence throughout. While the core theme of protecting humanity for centuries shows altruism, the execution involves significant gunfights, combat, and killing. The tight-knit group models loyalty and cooperation, but the mercenary context and violent tone undercuts wholesome messaging. Pacing is solid action-movie fare, not chaotic.

Imaginative

The concept of immortal warriors who've lived for centuries is genuinely creative—exploring what it means to fight for humanity across millennia offers interesting philosophical territory. The premise invites curiosity about history, mortality, and purpose. However, it's more high-concept than deeply exploratory; it's an action thriller first, thought experiment second.

Safe

This is a hard R-rated action movie (though no official MPAA listed, the violence level is clear). Significant gun violence, combat, blood, and mercenary killing throughout. Characters are immortal so they 'die' repeatedly and regenerate—which could be disturbing. Likely some strong language. Not appropriate for children or young teens. For mature audiences expecting action violence, it's fine, but definitely not safe for younger viewers.

Enriching

Explores interesting themes about purpose, immortality, the weight of living through centuries of human conflict, and what it means to keep fighting for humanity. The diverse cast (led by Charlize Theron) and representation of different time periods offers some perspective. However, it's primarily an action thriller—entertainment comes first, philosophical depth second. Solid 6.7 IMDb and 80% RT critic score suggest competent execution but not groundbreaking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely interesting premise about what it means to be immortal and keep fighting for humanity across centuries
Strong reviews (80% RT critics, 70 Metacritic) suggest well-executed action and decent character work
Charlize Theron leads a diverse cast of warriors with different historical backgrounds
Raises questions about purpose, mortality, and the weight of living through human history
Good choice for teens/adults who want action with a bit more philosophical heft than typical superhero fare

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What to Watch For

This is absolutely an adult action movie—significant violence, gunfights, combat, blood, and characters dying/regenerating repeatedly
Not appropriate for kids or younger teens; likely R-rated equivalent content throughout
The immortality concept means watching characters get killed and come back, which could be disturbing
It's action-first, philosophy-second—don't expect deep meditation on immortality, expect Charlize Theron shooting people

Conversation Starters

"If you could live forever, would you? What would be the hardest part about watching everyone you love die?"
"The characters have been fighting to protect humanity for centuries—do you think that would give you hope or make you cynical?"
"How would your perspective on life change if you knew you'd live for hundreds or thousands of years?"
"What historical periods would you want to live through if you were immortal?"

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