The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a 2024 animated epic fantasy film that serves as a prequel to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, set approximately 200 years prior to the events of the original films. It focuses on the legendary King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and his daughter, Héra, as they lead their people in a desperate war against the Dunlendings, who seek revenge for the death of their leader. The film explores themes of honor, revenge, family, and resilience, offering a standalone story within the beloved Middle-earth universe. Aimed at a teenage and adult audience, the movie received a PG-13 rating for strong violence, with some reviewers suggesting it is more suitable for viewers aged 13 and up, or even 16 and older by other classification bodies.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains extensive strong animated violence, including numerous deaths of people, horses, and large fantasy creatures during battles. Depictions include impalement, dismemberment, and explicit injuries.
Multiple characters die in battle from swords and arrows; some men are impaled by spears and swords, one falls into fire after being stabbed, and a hand is chopped off. A character takes an arrow through the head, and another's throat is cut. Héra ultimately kills the antagonist Wulf by choking him to death with a shield, cutting into his throat. Helm Hammerhand's son, Haleth, is killed by an arrow through the neck.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe movie includes several scary and intense scenes, typical of a war-focused fantasy film in the Lord of the Rings franchise. This includes graphic depictions of death, frightening monsters, and suspenseful situations.
Héra discovers a rotten dead body up close, with flies swarming around it, which is described as disturbing. The scene featuring the Watcher in the Water consuming a Mûmak is loud and surprising, with a large creature grabbing its prey with powerful tentacles. Rumors of a 'wraith,' a ghost-like mystical assassin, killing soldiers in the dark of night create intense suspense.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film features a central female protagonist, Héra, who is described as rebellious and uninterested in traditional marriage, with one review characterizing her stance as 'aero-ace noise.' While not explicitly identifying as LGBTQ, her character defies traditional gender expectations for a princess in Middle-earth, aligning with themes of female agency and self-determination.
Héra, daughter of King Helm Hammerhand, explicitly states she has no plans to marry any man. She is portrayed as an independent figure whose character arc focuses on her choices and impact, rather than a 'warrior princess' trope. Her reluctance towards marriage and traditional romantic pairings is noted by critics as 'aero-ace noise.'
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic content is minimal and primarily involves implied or unrequited interest. Héra expresses a strong disinterest in marriage, though the antagonist Wulf develops a bitter, possessive 'Entitled to Have You obsession' with her, which forms part of the conflict. There is no explicit sexual content or nudity.
Héra adamantly states she is uninterested in marriage, desiring independence. Lord Freca proposes a marriage between his son Wulf and Héra, which she rejects, leading to conflict. Wulf later develops an 'Entitled to Have You obsession' with Héra, driven by revenge and a desire for control over her.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumAs a Middle-earth story, the film incorporates elements of fantasy magic and mythical beings common to Tolkien's universe. This includes powerful ancient creatures and mentions of magic-users, though explicit witchcraft rituals are not central.
A 'Watcher in the Water' (a large, tentacled lake monster) emerges to capture and consume a large fantasy elephant (Mûmak) in a loud and surprising scene. The mythical eagles of Manwë are mentioned as playing a role in the plot. Saruman the White is featured at the end, offering friendship to the new king, signifying the presence of powerful magic users.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film features elements of defiance and rebellion, particularly through the character of Héra, who challenges traditional roles. The central conflict itself stems from acts of disrespect and rebellion against King Helm's authority by Lord Freca and later Wulf.
Héra is described as a 'rebellious and complicated' character and an 'independent' princess who has no interest in marriage, defying societal expectations. The entire war is incited by Lord Freca's ambition and disrespect towards King Helm, leading to Helm accidentally killing him, and then Wulf's vengeful rebellion against Rohan.
Profanity
LowThe film contains very mild instances of profanity.
One use of the word 'd–n' is noted in parental reviews.
Substance Use
LowThere is no reported drug or alcohol content in the film.
Parental review outlets specifically state 'None' for drug and alcohol content.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's work, which is known for its underlying Christian themes. Reviewers note that the film upholds Christian virtues and strength of character, even if overt religious references are minimal. There are no reported anti-Christian themes.
Tolkien's works, including the appendices upon which this film is based, are permeated with Christian themes such as hope, loyalty, heroism, and the triumph of virtue. The film is seen as reflecting an 'absolute standard of good and evil,' with Christian virtue and strength of character ultimately prevailing.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for ages 13+ due to strong animated violence, intense battle sequences, frightening creatures, and thematic elements of war and revenge. Some classification bodies recommend for ages 16+ due to graphic injury details and disturbing content.
Additional Notes
The film is an anime production, which may affect parental perception of the intensity of violence compared to live-action. While the core story is based on Tolkien's appendices, the character of Héra is expanded significantly, providing a strong female lead whose journey is central to the narrative. The film's extended runtime of 134 minutes should also be considered.
Related Reviews
Is The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required