Netflix‘s ‘The Old Guard 2‘ Plummets in Ratings Despite Star Power

Netflix’s decision to create a sequel to its original film, The Old Guard 2, starring Charlize Theron, has backfired, with the film receiving terrible reviews .Despite debuting at #1 on netflix, the sequel has seen a dramatic decline in both critic and audience reception compared to the first film.

Critical and Audience Reception Plummets

The stark contrast in scores between the two films is evident:

• The Old guard: 80% critic score,71% audience score
• The Old Guard 2: 25% critic score,42% audience score

This represents a 55% drop from critics and a 29% drop from audiences,a rare occurrence for film sequels.

Did You Know? Sequels typically aim to build upon the success of the original, but ‘The Old Guard 2’ defied this trend with its significant decline in ratings.

What Went Wrong with ‘The Old Guard 2’?

Despite the return of Charlize Theron and the addition of Uma Thurman, the sequel failed to impress. A key difference was the change in director, with Victoria Mahoney replacing Gina Prince-Bythewood, who directed the well-received The Woman king. Mahoney’s experience primarily lies in directing TV series episodes, making The Old Guard 2 her first feature film as a TV movie in 2014.

Director Change Impacts Film Quality

While the writers remained largely the same, the change in director is a significant factor in the film’s decline. Prince-Bythewood’s experience with films like The Woman King and Love and Basketball contrasts sharply with Mahoney’s limited feature film directing experience.

Initial Viewership vs. Long-Term Prospects

Despite the poor reception, The Old Guard 2 debuted at #1 on Netflix, even causing the original film to reappear on the top 10 list. Though, the long-term prospects of the franchise are uncertain.

pro Tip: Initial viewership numbers don’t always guarantee long-term success, especially when critical and audience reception is negative.

Will There Be a Third Film?

Given the disastrous reception of The Old Guard 2, it is unlikely that Netflix will greenlight a third film, despite the initial high viewership. While Netflix has followed through on some sequel promises, such as The Old Guard 2, the film’s poor quality may deter further investment in the franchise.

What are your thoughts on the decline in quality of ‘The Old Guard 2’? Do you think Netflix should continue the franchise despite the poor reception?