The opening scene grabs your attention because all but one of the main characters are dead. The movie takes you on a winding path with many sharp turns and detours.

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood who also directed Love and Basketball told a compelling story with The Old Guard. It is described as a covert team of immortal mercenaries who are suddenly exposed and must now fight to keep their identity secret.

Each character is from a different age, so as they battle their current enemy, they flash back to some of their earlier lives, most of which were on battle fields going back over the centuries.

I am drawn to this story not only because of the scifi-ness of it, but it reminds me of a show from many years ago which had a similar premise. The Highlander. In this TV series, Duncan MacLeod was an immortal forever battling other immortals. The connection? The immortals can sense one another’s presence.

In The Old Guard, the mercenaries fight an unknown group that comes against them, while in another direction sense a new immortal.  As they try to teach the new immortal about how life is, they learn some things about themselves.

“Just because we keep living, doesn’t mean we stop hurting,” Booker said to Nile, the new immortal. It challenges the thought of what living forever really means. It dances over a wide body of water.

Charlize Theron took me on a journey, and I was impressed. This was not the kind of role I thought of her in.  She was badass and dark and tough. She showed older women have value and can lead.

The cast is more of an ensemble, than any standout. Every actor plays their part and it is fun to watch. Kiki Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli and Chiwetel Ejiofor create a team that you want to cheer on. Each one has their own battle and this movie will just make you ask more questions as their stories are revealed.

In the end, this movie leaves you with a sense that there is a series or a series of movies coming. I hope so.