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movie review - The Old Guard

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

This film is a .. well, it's hard to categorize. It's about some immortal agents who appear to have been appointed from birth by God to do good around the world. Doesn't quite sound like the God we know, but hey, I guess every conspiracy theory has it's day and now it's God's turn for some good press. The lead of this team of agents has been around for at least a couple of millennia, and several of her team have been around for many decades if not centuries. A new member pops up in the form of an apparently unkillable US soldier stationed in Afghanistan who comes back within hours from having her throat cut. She is plagued by visions of the other agents and sets out to find them.

I liked the premise of this thing, and I'm happy to report that the execution works. Being immortal warriors, these characters have their share of issues and baggage, and I think this is told in an engaging way and with purpose. These people have been put in a tough position and just have to live with the day-to-day awfulness of their purpose. I also liked that when one or two past members pop up after various circumstances keep them away, the faith of certain members begins to waiver. I thought that this made a good central theme, because honestly what else is there to tell about a band of almost-invincible holy warriors?

I was happily surprised at how good this turned out to be. Things like this make this damned lock-down somewhat easier.

Strongly recommended.