The Old Guard is a 2020 Netflix adaptation of a graphic novel by by Greg Rucka (author) and Leandro Fernandez (artist). Rucka wrote the screenplay for the film, which was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. It stars Charlize Theron as the leader of an unnamed band of immortal warriors.
Conceptually, the film combines elements of the popular Highlander franchise with the modern John Wick sensibility, presenting an entertaining take on the fantasy of humans that don't age and can't be killed. In a nod to the characters' extreme age (the main characters are all at least several hundred years old) several of them use quasi-historical weapons as well as contemporary firearms.
Andy identifies herself as "Andromache the Scythian," referencing an empire from the 8th century BCE. The edged weapon she wields is a modernized version of the Labrys, a double-headed battle axe associated with mythical immortal characters such as Zeus.
Nicky and Joe both died during the Crusades; Nicky as a Crusader, and Joe as a Saracen. In a nod to this history, Joe carries a cruciform-hilted, double-edged, single-handed sword that looks similar to those used by Christian knights during the High Middle Ages throughout Europe. Joe wields a fantasy version of a scimitar, a curved backsword that was popular with Middle-Eastern warriors during the Middle Ages. It's worth noting that "Scimitar" is an anglicized version of the Italian word "scimitarra," and refers generically to curved swords. Different cultures throughout Asia and the ancient Middle and Near East used different forms of these swords, for which they had their own names. The sword that Joe uses (more clearly visible in the film poster) looks more like the type that is used primarily for modern belly-dancing performances than an actual medieval relic.
