The Old Guard (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place across several global locations. Key scenes occur in South Sudan, where the team conducts a rescue mission, and Afghanistan, where Nile serves as a U.S. Marine. France serves as a sanctuary where the group regroups, while London hosts the climactic final confrontation against Merrick's forces.

• south sudan
• afghanistan
• france
• london
• setting
• locations

The story is set in modern day contemporary times, featuring real-world conflicts and settings. This modern context allows the film to explore immortality against the backdrop of current military operations, corporate espionage, and biotechnology research.

• modern day
• contemporary
• time period
• era

The immortality theme explores the dual nature of living forever, while the characters can heal from any wound and endure centuries, they also suffer profound psychological isolation and witness endless death. Andy carries emotional scars from centuries of existence, illustrating how eternal life creates both strength and heavy burdens.

• immortality
• eternal life
• loneliness
• centuries

Sacrifice appears both in physical battles and emotional decisions throughout the story. Andy repeatedly puts herself in danger to protect Nile and the team, while Booker's betrayal leads to consequences that affect everyone. The theme highlights the moral cost of protecting others across centuries.

• sacrifice
• protection
• loyalty
• moral dilemma

Betrayal emerges as a defining theme through Booker's actions and Copley's duplicitous motives. Booker betrays Andy by revealing their location, fracturing the trust within the team. Copley initially appears helpful but later reveals hidden agendas. These betrayals test the team's unity and explore the complexity of loyalty outside conventional morality.

• betrayal
• loyalty
• trust
• booker
• copley

Andy is the leader of the immortal mercenaries, a battle-hardened warrior who has fought for centuries. She is fiercely protective of her team and carries deep emotional scars from centuries of existence. Despite her tough exterior, she shows vulnerability, especially regarding her role as a protector and her weariness from eternal life.

• andy
• leader
• warrior
• centuries
• protectiveness

Nile Freeman is a young U.S. Marine who discovers she is immortal after being killed in combat in Afghanistan. She represents hope and adaptability within the group, struggling to understand her new identity while learning to trust the older immortals. Her journey focuses on acceptance and finding her place among the team.

• nile freeman
• marine
• new immortal
• hopeful

Booker is an immortal warrior who serves on Andy's team, struggling with personal despair and loyalty conflicts. His internal turmoil leads him to betray the group by working with Copley, a decision that has severe consequences for his relationships with his comrades and ultimately results in his exile.

• booker
• loyalty
• conflict
• betrayal
• despair

Copley is a former CIA operative who becomes involved with the immortals. His motivations initially seem helpful but become morally ambiguous as the story progresses. His pursuit of knowledge about the immortals leads him to make questionable decisions that impact the entire team.

• copley
• cia
• operative
• moral ambiguity

The found family theme represents the bond between the immortal team members who have lived and fought together for centuries. Despite their differences and conflicts, they operate as a dysfunctional family unit, supporting each other through millennia of shared experiences. This theme provides emotional grounding amid the darker themes of immortality and loss.

• found family
• team
• bond
• loyalty
• centuries