i really like Iyo’s face here 🥰🥰🥰

and then on the final showdown, Nile and Andy facing off against Quynh together. Quynh deals Andy a mortal wound; Nile deals Quynh one. Quynh still heals. it turns out her obsession with Nile was always wrong; Andy lost her immortality because she stopped *believing* in the life she was living. Quynh in angry hateful tears begging a dying Andy to come back, it's Quynh who's supposed to be dying. Andy quipping, "I always go first" and then dying

and then if you want a happy ending: Andy coming back after. Andy regaining her immortality *because* she cherishes her life and believes in what she does and isn't ready to end yet. Andy and Nile bringing Quynh back into the fold. Andy and Nile and Quynh and Booker and Nicky and Joe *healing* together

Like, the immortality piece fuels the villains in the first film, but the unknowability of it is part of the point. It’s a dreadful curse, to outlive all your loved ones. Or, it’s a powerful gift, to grow and nurture a relationship for centuries on end. Or, it’s a complicated responsibility, a way you are uniquely positioned to help make the world a better place, and how much of that mantle should you take on? It’s the premise, the vessel through which the themes and characters can be explored.

THE OLD GUARD (2020) dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood

The Waterfront 1x08