Netflix’s The Old Guard and Cursed kick it into high gear, satisfying action-based cravings for virtual group hangouts with friends
Escapism is key in July as the sun threatens to melt us, and we continue to social distance. Summer is usually synonymous with the group hang. Before COVID, summer days were spent with friends and family out and about. Now, as we continue to keep each other safe by distancing ourselves, we turn to virtual hangouts. Looking for some group watch suggestions? How about an action-packed Netflix binge block of The Old Guard and Cursed?
The Old Guard certainly isn’t a sleepover movie–in the firm definition of a coming-of-age story for young women to find pieces of themselves in sort of way–but sometimes a need for action trumps the nostalgia factor. Besides, Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne kicking tail as immortal mercenaries in a comic book movie directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood? Sign us up!
Watch the trailer for The Old Guard below:
The Old Guard
Led by the incomparable Charlize Theron as Andromache “Andy,” The Old Guard is Gina Prince-Bythewood’s latest foray in comics based entertainment. Far from the dark coming-of-age teen hero story that is Cloak & Dagger, the world Prince-Bythewood directs us through is rife with betrayal and a secret that has stayed hidden for centuries.
Adapted from the comics series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, The Old Guard follows Andy and her not so merry band of soldiers who protect the world from the shadows. But in the digital age where anonymity is getting difficult to come by, these fighters–this found family–is being targeted for their genetic code which could produce immortal super soldiers at the whim of the highest bidder if unlocked.
Fighting to maintain their freedom, Andy, Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) must also embrace a new member to their group. Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne) is a former U.S. Marine who is thrown into a history she’s hardly gotten a grasp on before having to fight for her life. She’s learning what it means to never die but as Booker tells her, “Just because we keep living doesn’t mean we stop hurting.”
The Old Guard is available to stream now.
Cursed
Based on the illustrated novel by Tom Wheeler and Frank Miller, Cursed returns us to Arthurian legend, this time from the perspective of Nimue (Katherine Langford), a young woman destined to become The Lady of the Lake.
Gifted with powerful magic, Nimue is tasked with delivering a mysterious sword to Merlin whilst navigating a war that is tearing through the land. Those gifted with power are being hunted by a crusade hell-bent on snuffing magic out of existence. If it takes burning down every village and killing every person born with abilities then so be it.
At Nimue’s side is Arthur (Devon Terrell), a mercenary who she makes an unexpected alliance with though their partnership is just the beginning for Nimue. As she journeys to find Merlin, Nimue begins to develop a reputation as a leader and protector, someone who can change the tide of the war. Leading, however, comes with demands. Not solely from those who look to Nimue for guidance but also from the sword itself.
The sword took Merlin’s magic, it is said that whoever wields it is destined to become corrupt. Nimue’s quest is both arduous and dangerous, it’s the kind of mission that will change her life far more than she could have ever imagined.
Cursed is available to stream on Friday, July 17.