Charlize Theron was in a celebratory mood – and ready for an epic hangover – as her Netflix movie The Old Guard smashed records.
The 44-year-old South African actress has wowed movie watchers with her axe swinging character Andromache of Scythia in the comic book inspired action film.
Helmed by 51-year-old Love & Basketball director Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Old Guard follows a gang of immortal mercenaries who are being hunted by a pharmaceutical company who want to unlock the secrets to their eternal youth.
The film has won over audiences and critics and is breaking records set by Netflix as millions around the world have tuned in to stream the two-hour movie – while it is helping address the diversity gap behind the camera too.
Taking to Twitter on Friday, Netflix wrote: “The Old Guard is breaking records!
“The Charlize Theron blockbuster is already among the top 10 most popular Netflix films ever — and Gina Prince-Bythewood is the first Black female director on the list.
“The film is currently on track to reach 72M households in its first 4 weeks!”
The news was a thrill for Charlize who took to Twitter to react with a string of celebration emojis.
She also signalled she would be raising multiple glasses to the success as she shared a meme of herself in character downing a bottle of vodka with the caption “Friday night” alongside a photo of her character lying dead and covered in blood with the caption “Monday morning”.
She captioned the meme: “I feel this.”
I feel this. pic.twitter.com/9368dnI3Yx
— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) July 18, 2020
Gobsmacked (shot in the UK for 9 1/2 months). Thank you so much for watching and re-watching and digging Andy&Nile&Booker&Joe&Nicky (and) Quynh as much as I do. #femalefilmmakerfriday for real. https://t.co/iRaXko4KzN
— Gina Prince-Bythewood (@GPBmadeit) July 18, 2020
Meanwhile, director Gina also expressed her gratitude for the success.
She tweeted: “Gobsmacked (shot in the UK for 9 1/2 months). Thank you so much for watching and re-watching and digging Andy&Nile&Booker&Joe&Nicky (and) Quynh as much as I do.”
The movie – which was released on Netflix on 10 July – ends on a cliffhanger, however a sequel is yet to be officially announced.
