"I've been here before, over and over again, and each time the same question: will this be it? Will this time be the one? And each time the same answer. I'm just so tired of it."
This is the first piece of dialogue offered from Andromache of Scythia (Charlize Theron), also known as Andy; and with this piece of dialogue, we are pushed in the world of Netflix's latest original, The Old Guard. Nevertheless, ten minutes into the film, I find that I cannot stop repeating those lines, word for word, in my head:
I've been here before, over and over again.
Over the past 20 years, the film industry has been saturated with movies of outsiders turned heroes, mutants turned heroes, villain turned heroes, and people with supernatural abilities—you guessed it, turned into heroes. So, when I watched the trailer for The Old Guard, I found myself intrigued, but disappointed in the possibility of this being yet another hero's journey poorly handled.
The Old Guard | Official Trailer | Netflixwww.youtube.com
I asked myself: will this be it? Will this be the movie that finally understands that Black characters are more than sidekicks (excluding Black Panther, that was the exception, not the rule)? Will this movie finally offer characters that produce more than one line of dialogue, despite their comic book characters being vital to the story at hand (looking at you, Ororo "Storm" Munroe)? Will this be the movie where the black woman is more than her race and her ability? Will this time be the one?
I know that if not, I couldn't bare to discover the same answer, because like the film's protagonist Andy, I'm just so tired of it.
Yet, when the two-hour-and-five-minute movie relinquished its final second, played out by Ellie King's Baby Outlaw, I found a new answer to the question posed over and over again. This film might not be the definitive "it" we're looking for, but it is a damn good start.
In 2017, renowned comic book creators Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández debuted The Old Guard, a comic book series about immortal soldiers who have been fighting for centuries. Within months of its debut, Skydance Media picked up the rights to the comic. By Summer 2018, the film gained momentum with its landing of the acclaimed director of Love & Basketballand The Secret Life of Bees, Gina Prince-Bythewood. A year later, the film would cast an all-star cast after teaming up with Netflix.
The story of The Old Guard follows a ban of mercenaries led by Andy, a woman who has been alive since ancient Greece. The mercenaries have lived through many wars. Two of its members fought as enemies in the Crusade and another fought during the War of 1812, but now they have encountered a real threat to their survival: a businessman with a God complex. Which cues in two of our most important Black characters: James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne).
Meet James Copley
Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Copley requests the reactivation of the group of mercenaries after the kidnapping of girls in Sudan. It is through his request that the movie unravels, and it's through his actions that the characters are inadvertently placed within harm's way. Throughout most of the movie, James Copley regresses and progresses as a character should. His biggest issues lie within himself and his misguided good intentions, which we all know paves the road to hell. The best part of Ejiofor's character lies within what he is not. In the last twenty years, characters similar to Copley have not been lacking in media.
Hollywood loves having a black leader, only for them to become speed bumps in the hero's journey or the overall story's plot line.
This was seen with both versions of Amanda Waller (Arrow and Suicide Squad) where despite her importance in the creation of the Suicide Squad and Argus, she became a means to an end for the hero, without much substance other than the fact that she was meant to be the villain. The same can be said for Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, who hasn't been developed much within the Marvel cinema world. With the arrival of Ejiofor's James Copley, there is a chance for him tor remain an essential character throughout the series.
A chance for him to be important beyond the world of the heroes, as well as a chance for him to actively be one himself.
Meet Nile Freeman
Nevertheless, despite Copley's character growth throughout the film, he is not the hero we're looking for. Instead, our hero can be found in Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne). It is through Nile that we are introduced into the world of the immortal mercenaries, and it is through Nile that we choose whether to stay. Written as a strong, hero's journey, Nile finds herself becoming the newest member of the Guard. Unlike most superheroes, she was one before she gained abilities. And unlike most superheroes, Nile wanted nothing more than to return to her normal life.
It is interesting seeing a character come into herself and it is even more interesting to see the limitless possibilities they have with this character introduction.
A lot of Nile's journey is handled with care. What can be the most bothersome thing about movies with heroes is how quick they are to give up the life that made them, for a life of uncertainty and gore. Yet, Nile doesn't agree to the life so quickly. Instead, she approaches it cautiously, even rejecting it outright when it doesn't correlate with the beliefs that made her who she is. It is refreshing to watch KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman. She does well with balancing between a fierce immortal soldier and someone worried about the erasure of their old life. Throughout the film, she is easy to root for, but this is due largely to Layne. Nile's character's inability to just go along with the mercenaries could be frustrating.
Yet, Layne shows a balance between what Nile is willing to give and what she isn't. This is best shown within her scenes with Theron and Ejiofor, where she has to decide to be the hero she was meant to be or return to the life she has always known.
Another enjoyable thing about Nile's character is the room for growth. Throughout the film, Nile's character experiences exceptional character growth. Still, the audience can see that she isn't fully developed and has a way to go. Which is fine because her development within this film is enough for now. Nevertheless, it will be exciting to see what Nile can become in the future, should Netflix and SkyMedia choose to make a sequel.
Overall, The Old Guard tells the ending of a hero's journey while birthing another. It has strong female characters, strong characters of color, positive representation for all communities, and provides a hero worth believing in. This movie understands that Black characters are more than sidekicks, because without Ejiofor and Layne's characters, this particular story wouldn't exist. This movie offered characters that are essential in the comics and kept them essential to the film—they even elevated Nile from the comic book for the movie.
This movie is one where the black woman is more than her race and her ability, because it cemented itself in who she is and what she believes in.
This movie, like the comic, is step in a new different direction I, for one, am excited to see.
And who could get tired of that?
Notice Me Noticing:
- Similar to Luke Cage, there is a beauty in seeing Black characters rise after being shot. Same for gay characters.
- Dudley from Harry Potter grew up to remain an ass.
- The soundtrack was impressive. Highlights: Frank Ocean - "Godspeed", Marshmello ft. Khalid - "Silence", Active Child - "Cruel Word", and Ruelle - "The World We Made"
- There are four main characters of color: Nile Freeman, James Copley, Joe, and Quynh.
The Old Guard is now streaming.
Featured image by NETFLIX
- 'The Old Guard' Review: Teaming Up Down the Centuries - WSJ ›
- The Old Guard trailer: Charlize Theron leads action-packed comic ... ›
- The Old Guard Review: An Immortal Bore – /Film ›
- First Look at Charlize Theron's Immortal Warrior in The Old Guard ... ›
- 'The Old Guard' Review: Gina Prince-Bythewood Crafts New Netflix Hit ›
- Charlize Theron in 'The Old Guard' on Netflix: Film Review ›
RELATED
Whether you're planning to meet a certain financial or fitness goal, or you're simply trying to maintain and build on the progress you made this year, having something to look forward to is always a good look. Setting actual goals, according to research, actually leads to more success than just playing things by ear. So here are a few to get you started, sis:
(Disclaimer: Not everything is for everyone, so do like my Granny always says: "Eat the meat. Spit out the bone." Take on five out of the 40 and focus on that for the remainder of the year, or do them all. Either way, this is just to get you started.)
40 Ways To End The Year Strong and Inspired
Money Moves
Riska/Getty Images
1. Increase your retirement (or other savings/investment) contributions by 1%.
Experts have found that you could be leaving money on the table by not upping your contributions when you can.
2. Cancel two to five subscriptions.
You could be missing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year due to sneaky price hikes and "updates."
3. Create a "fun" in a high-yield savings account.
This is especially important if you struggle with the dreaded b-word (budget) and will make next year's efforts a lot less intimidating. Even if it's $10 a month, do it.
4. Put on your big-girl panties, and set up automatic transfers and payments for at least one bill.
It reduces the stress of managing bills, lessens the chance of a missed payment---and the fees that come with that---and there can be cost savings for doing so.
5. Invest in a cleaner or housekeeping service.
Bosses who value their time (and mental health) invest their dollars into areas where the time they'd spend doing those tasks themselves could be better used to focus on other money-making projects. (And yes, rest is part of that.) Get a housekeeper, sis, or drop off that laundry, even if it's once per month.
6. Donate to a charity.
Beyond the tax benefits, it's a win-win for the greater good of communities you care about.
7. Review your insurance policies and negotiate a better rate (or move on) before their end dates.
Experts often agree this is a small but mighty step to take each year, especially since insurance rates are competitive, you could be spending more money than you need to (or not enough) and your insurance rates can affect your mortgage payments.
8. Call your loan provider and refinance.
As interest rates fall, “millions of borrowers may be able to refinance and get more affordable payments. As interest rates eased down to 6.5%, about 2.5 million borrowers could already refinance and save at least 75 basis points (0.75%) on their interest rate,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports. You can also refinance student and other types of loans.
9. Stop buying individual items and stock up via going bulk.
Research has found that, among 30 common products, buying in bulk could save you 27% compared with buying in lower quantities. Water, paper products, and baby products like diapers, toiletries, and garbage bags are the top items where people see the most cost-effectiveness. (This has been a lifesaver for me—children, large family, or not—especially when it comes to toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products, saving stress, time, and money.)
10. Go cash-only for the holidays.
If you set smart goals and stick to limits on things like gifts, going out to eat, or groceries, you'll see the benefits of this. Cash-stuffing is one method recommended, but something as simple as taking a $10 bill out for lunch, disabling that card for an hour, and leaving your card in a safe place at the office can give you that mindset jump start to see how far you can take your money without the need to splurge.
Love And Romance
11. Say "no."
There are clear mental and physical health benefits to saying no including the setting of healthy boundaries, creating time and energy for other self-care activities, and protecting yourself from physically harmful situations (i.e. unprotected sex or abuse). Just say it, clearly and simply, when you need to.
12. Set a fun, free, adults-only date night for once a week or twice a month with your spouse.
If busy, high-profile folk have touted the success of this, even you can make the time for quality time with your partner. And it's even better when it costs nothing. The best connections are made doing something chill, challenging, or outside the usual dinner-and-a-movie date. Play a game that allows you to reconnect, take a walk in your neighborhood to chat and laugh, or try a little erotic chocolate/edible liquid/paint episode a la Mea Culpa.
13. Go out with Mr. or Ms. "Not My Type."
I love my man, but if I were waiting out for my "type" at the time, we wouldn't be celebrating seven (going on eight) years together. Sometimes having strict, unrealistic expectations for a spouse (especially related to things like height, physical features, or career path) is what's keeping you alone and lonely.
Take the pressure off and explore all your options. I'm not telling you to stop popping the balloon on the guy who earns $20,000 less than you if that's a hard no that Jesus himself told you to skip. I'm asking you to explore other options and see what else God might have out there for your love journey.
14. Immediately apologize and pray together.
I've learned that always being "right" isn't always ideal when you truly care about someone and you're in a relationship for the long haul. Defaulting to an apology when necessary, even when things aren't 100% resolved, is a good way to prioritize peace and save your energy for more worthwhile battles. Research has even supported the benefits of apologies in relationships, and how couples married for five or more years do it often.
15. Get a Rose and discover true self-love.
Do I really have to explain this? You've gotta know what satisfies you, and how better to figure that out than to practice self-love in the bed by yourself? You can also try this with a partner, but as a woman who got on this train very much later in my sexual activity journey. I have a lot more learning to do on my own, and even in a satisfying relationship, I like to find out new things about myself, by myself.
Figure out what you're into, watch what you want to watch, and read what you want to read to define pleasure for yourself. There's a freedom and empowering element there especially if you're used to prioritizing pleasing your partner.
16. Be direct and have the "money talk" with bae.
Money issues are one of the leading causes of divorce, so you need to have those conversations before you even think about marrying someone. And true, nobody can predict the future so you won't be able to avoid some challenges altogether, however, talking with your potential spouse about how they view money, their spending habits, and the pain points in terms of their approach to money management can at least give you a glimpse into what's in store if you do walk down the aisle, move in with them, or decide to share a bank account/business/child with them.
17. Invest in the "paid" version of that dating app.
I know plenty of successful, married folk who did this and met "the one" as a result. Let's be honest: The free version is for playing around. I had a lot of fun with my "free" profile back in the day, trust me. Upgrade that photo, profile, and package, and see if the quality of your dating adventures changes when you're serious about finding a true partner. Dating coaches and matchmakers cosign this.
18. Solo travel to meet that long-distance connection.
Sometimes, your perfect match isn't within 100 miles of you, and that's okay. Make it an adventure, enjoy the memories, and book that ticket. I met my man this way and it's been a whirlwind escape ever since. If you're not comfortable traveling solo, travel or (network to plan travel) with a group via Facebook.
Career And Business
Riska/Getty Images
19. Schedule coffee or virtual meetups with smart people from your graduating class, previous employer, or current employer.
I have gotten many freelance opportunities by doing this. It's as simple as connecting and offering value (or simply learning how you can better equip yourself to do so.) It's also a great way to expand your network, spark new friendships, or find out about new job opportunities.
20. Invest in a well-made suit.
I don't care what industry you're in, a suit says "power," and it's not as old-school or out-of-style as you'd think. Plus the whole experience of looking for a new one (or getting one tailored) is fun and affirming. Try these options. I swear, anytime I wear a blazer, I'm treated like a celebrity or boss, especially when traveling. I was once upgraded to first-class wearing a yellow blazer outfit, and the airline professional literally said, "You look like somebody important. Here you go."
21. Volunteer for a worthwhile project or cause that's important to your company.
If you're overworked and underappreciated, skip this one, but if you truly have the time, love what you do, and want to advance, this move is clutch. Volunteering for extra projects got me where I am today in media because I had foresight, and knew that was the only way at the time to leverage relationships, and I was able to challenge myself to learn skills that 20 years later are still bankable. That VP you can't get a meeting with will be at that gala your company is planning, so join that committee, sis.
22. Write down why you deserve a raise and ask for it in your next one-on-one.
Gather those receipts (ie sales increase numbers, KPIs met, deals closed, people acquired via recruitment, the impact of systems updates, or other tangible success metrics) and ask for that raise before the first or second-quarter budgets are being finalized.
23. Instead of quitting, write down your exit plan.
While revenge quitting is set to be a thing next year (and maybe you're among those who will be leading the trend), try the better boss move and quit with a real plan.
24. Start automatically separating that estimated self-employed quarterly tax estimate.
If you have side hustles (or you're collecting 1099 income,) baby, you do not want to neglect those quarter tax payments. Talk to a professional, do your research, and set up automatic transfers to an account specifically for paying these at the appropriate due dates.
25. Sign up for a free one- to 11-week course related to your industry—or the industry you want to be in next year.
Institutions like Harvard University and platforms like Coursera offer free courses that can enhance your skills. You can also invest in certificate courses with accredited colleges as well as tech training.
26. Hit "Easy Apply" for 10 dream jobs listed on LinkedIn.
While you shouldn't solely rely on this when actively job-seeking, using this convenient LinkedIn option is a great way to get into the habit of applying for positions. And if you're already employed, you should still be "dating" other employers if you're looking to make a move in the next six months. Keep your interview skills sharp, practice toughening up for the "nos," and get a bit of an ego boost in the process.
Self-Care And Wellness
27. Pre-schedule three month's worth of massages.
Oftentimes this is cost-effective since some spas offer deals for multiple bookings. Also, it makes an act of self-care deliberate and important, not an option. When you get that reminder call, you'll know it's real.
28. Fire that therapist and try another one.
Cultural competency in mental health support is one major problem that can hinder Black women from even bothering with therapy. And who wants the added stress of spending multiple, paid sessions explaining why something is a microaggression? Cut the cord and move on to try someone else, either via a Black women therapists channel or recommendations from others.
29. Join a small group at church.
Bedside service ain't gonna cut it and neither is going to the usual Sunday service. Join a smaller group and upgrade your efforts to connect, network, and elevate spiritually. Even if virtually, take a step to dig a bit deeper with more targeted Bible study and discussions.
30. Say no, even to loved ones.
This is on here twice, for a reason. Saying no is the simplest, most powerful micro-action you can take today to make 2025 better. No explanations. No guilt. Say no.
31. Choose one "luxury" beauty product for skincare and stick to it.
This was trending big on social, especially for millennials hitting their 40s. There's just something so freeing about not giving in to every trend and sticking to the basics that work, especially when there are quality, healthy ingredients involved. Put those orders on auto-renew.
32. Sign up for a new sport or fitness class just for fun, not for results.
It's great to be on a weight-loss or weight-lifting journey, but try something just for the fun of it. Switch things up with a couple of these fitness activities.
33. Book a staycation.
Leave the passport at home and explore a nearby community or another town in your state. There's so much enrichment in your own backyard right here in the U.S., and you don't even have to break the bank.
34. Pre-schedule your mammograms, Pap smear, and peri-menopause checkups for next year.
Take control of your health by pre-scheduling essential appointments like mammograms, Pap smears, and peri-menopause check-ups for 2025. Prioritizing these screenings early ensures you stay on top of your wellness and make time for self-care in the new year.
35. Cut off support of beauty and wellness professionals whose customer service is below standard.
This is another one that many Black women have been vocal about—from unrealistic pre-appointment requirements, to booking fees, to long waits, to unsavory in-salon experiences. Spot the red flags early, and just stop accommodating foolishness. Support salons or experienced stylists who are kind, have proper systems in place and value your time.
36. Schedule five to 10-minute moments of silence on your calendar.
Again, wellness is not optional, and if it's not on my calendar, it's not official. Sit quietly. Pray. Meditate. Or do nothing. The benefits of silent moments are almost endless.
37. Download a meditation app.
If you've found that meditation is difficult to schedule or to even start, an app can help. Try this, this, or this one, and take that step to embrace something new to enhance your wellness routine. If you're tired of downloading apps, create a playlist for meditation via Amazon Music or Spotify and schedule a reminder to do it once a day or week.
38. Invest in a healthy meal prep or delivery service.
Time is emotionally expensive, so save as much of it as possible. Getting into meal prep to keep to your goals is a great way to save time, stress, and effort. The health benefits of meal prepping have also been proven via research.
39. Create a positive playlist on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or other streaming platform.
It can be podcasts, music, affirmations, or somatic sounds. It's a game-changer. You can even set an alarm to wake you up to start your day with the positive playlist. Not into creating your own? There are plenty to choose from with a quick search.
40. Set up reminders for Alexa (Siri or other AI) to remind you, "You are loved," and "You are okay."
This simple effort can boost your endorphins and remind you that you're indeed, not alone, and you will be okay, regardless. To set mine up, I simply commanded, "Alexa, remind me everyday 'Jesus loves me,'" and like clockwork she does. She almost scared the ish out of me one day when I'd forgotten the reminder was active, but it was the reminder I needed when anxiety had gotten the best of me that week.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by
