You know a movie’s a good one when the final five minutes make you go “wait, what?” followed by “okay, so when’s the sequel?” The Old Guard (2020), Netflix’s slick, adrenaline pumped tale of immortal warriors doing covert good, leaves us with plenty of ass-kicking action, emotional gut punches and one jaw-dropping cliffhanger. And if you blinked, you might have missed just how much is packed into those final scenes.
So if you find yourself googling, “what happened in the Old Guard ending?” you’re in the right place. We’re cracking open that immortal vault to explain betrayals, mortality and the ghost who just walked back in like it’s no big deal!
Merrick Gets What’s Coming (With a Side of Window Pain)
Before we go and decode the ending of The Old Guard, let’s talk about Steven Merrick. Pharmaceutical tycoon, a walking definition of ‘don’t trust this guy’ and the man who made it his mission to turn the immortal team into lab rats.
His goal? Monetize immortality. Noble in theory but horrifying in execution.
Thanks to Booker’s betrayal (more on that messy drama in a while), Merrick captures Andy, Joe and Nicky. But Nile, the team’s rookie with a spine of steel, teams up with ex-spook Copley to pull off the rescue.
And in one glorious satisfying moment, Nile tackles Merrick out of a high-rise window. He dies. She doesn’t. That’s the beauty of immortality, if only you are still lucky enough to have it.
Andy Loses Her Edge (Literally)
The team’s oldest warrior and reluctant leader is Andy. She’s the definition of tired but still deadly. But during the mission, she realizes something horrifying that her wounds aren’t really healing.
Translation? She lost her immortality.
Andy keeps this secret longer than a Marvel end-credit twist. But when bullets actually hurt, it’s time to confess. She tells Booker, the team’s designated brooding philosopher, right before he sells her out!
But even mortal, Andy throws down like a champ. Her power may be fading, but her grit? Still very immortal!
Booker’s Betrayal and Time-Out
Booker’s had enough. Watching people die, of living forever, of pretending like being immortal is a fun and glamorous gig. So he makes a deal with Merrick to hand over the team in exchange for answers, or maybe, just a chance to finally stop living. This was so not cool!
After the dust settles, the team votes: Booker’s out. Exiled for 100 years. That’s right, a full century of solo travel, brooding and no immortal brunch invites. Andy’s goodbye to him is particularly heavy as she might not live long enough to ever see him again!
Also, read Echo Valley Ending Explained: Mothers, Manipulation and One Fiery Frame-Up
Copley Switches Sides (Redemption Arc, Activated)
Remember Copley? The former CIA guy with a tragic backstory and way too much surveillance footage? Turns out he’s not all bad!
After realizing Merrick’s evil plans, he helps Nile to save the crew and gives Andy something she desperately needs, the proof. Through his research, Copley shows just how much positive impact the mortals have had on humanity. Wars prevented, lives saved. Ripples that shaped history.
He becomes their guy in the chair, the Alfred to their Bat-team, if you will. For Andy, who’s spent centuries wondering “why are we even doing this?”, it’s the beginning of a real answer.
The Final Knock: Quynh Returns (and She’s Not Okay)!
And just when we thought we were wrapping up the bittersweet but tidy finale, The Old Guard drops its biggest mic.
Six months later. Booker, who is still exiled and still sad in Paris, stumbles home drunk, only to find Quynh, the immortal Andy lost centuries ago, standing in his apartment. This would be joyful, if only she didn’t look terrifying.
Quick refresher: Quynh was locked in an iron maiden and tossed into the ocean hundreds of years ago. She’s been drowning and reviving in an endless loop ever since.
She greets Booker with bone-chilling , “It’s nice to finally meet you”. The screen cuts and you know that means trouble is up in Old Guard 2.
So, What Does The Old Guard Ending Really Mean?
The Old Guard ending isn’t just about wrapping up the missions, it’s more like a meditation on purpose, pain and what comes after immortality. Andy’s loss of power shifts the dynamics. Booker’s betrayal shows just how hard forever can be. And Quynh’s reappearance? It’s calm before the next big storm.
The film makes it clear that being immortal doesn’t mean being invincible, emotionally or physically. These warriors carry centuries of trauma and heartbreak and it finally catches up to them in very real ways.
But here’s the kicker- The Old Guard isn’t just about living forever. It’s about what you do with the time you’re given, even if that time is infinite!
What We Know About The Sequel So Far
With the return of Quynh and the team down one leader, The Old Guard 2 promises to up the stakes. Will Quyng be a villain? An anti-hero? A traumatized ally? No one knows yet, but she’s clearly not back for a cup of tea!
Also, with Copley in the mix, we’re finally seeing the immortals move from isolated vigilantes to something more organized. That’s exciting and also potentially dangerous.
Also, read Eternals Ending Explained: Gods, Judgement and a Very Grumpy Celestial
Final Thoughts: Immortality Has Its Consequences
The Old Guard doesn’t rely on cheap twists, it builds to its ending with purpose. Each character’s journey lands with real weight, giving us closure while still teasing what’s ahead. It’s clever, emotionally charged and knows how to balance quiet moments with epic, slow-motion action. Immortals with centuries of baggage? Check. Grudges that outlive empires? Absolutely. And if that final scene didn’t leave you hyped for the sequel, maybe it’s time to ask Andy if your heart’s still in the game!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Andy still immortal at the end of The Old Guard?
Nope, Andy loses her immortality during the movie. She realizes her wounds aren’t healing anymore, and it’s not just a glitch in the matrix—it’s permanent. By the time of the Old Guard ending, Andy is fully mortal, which makes her final battle scenes even more high-stakes and impressive.
2. What’s the significance of Quynh’s return in the Old Guard ending?
Quynh’s comeback is the ultimate plot twist with a vengeance. After spending centuries drowning and reviving in an underwater iron coffin (yeah, yikes), she shows up in the final scene, alive and… emotionally complicated. Her eerie “It’s nice to finally meet you” to Booker hints at a future conflict.
3. Why was Booker exiled for 100 years?
Booker pulled a major betrayal by handing the team over to Merrick, hoping to find a way to end his immortality. While his motivations were rooted in pain, the team couldn’t let it slide. In the Old Guard ending, they vote to exile him for a century. It’s not revenge, it’s accountability with a side of eternal time-out.