The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power is an epic fantasy television series that serves as a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years prior to the familiar events, the narrative explores a period of relative peace before the resurgence of the Dark Lord Sauron. The series follows an ensemble of characters from various races, including elves, dwarves, men, and Harfoots, as they confront the re-emergence of evil across Middle-earth and witness the forging of the iconic Rings of Power. It is primarily aimed at mature audiences, including teens and older viewers, due to its complex storylines and intense content.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series contains pervasive fantasy violence, including numerous battle scenes, sword fights, archery, and hand-to-hand combat against frightening creatures like orcs, Wargs, and trolls. Injuries are frequently depicted and can be gritty and bloody, with Season 2 noted for containing particularly graphic violence and gore.
In Season 1, a warg brutally tears into a woman's side, and a giant spider explicitly rips an orc's face apart, resulting in visible gore. Season 2, Episode 1 features intense violence including a villain stabbing another in the eye and slitting his throat, followed by the villain being repeatedly stabbed to death by orcs. His blood transforms into a glob of black blood and worms, which consumes animals and then a screaming woman whose bones are heard breaking.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series features significant scary and intense content, including frightening creatures such as orcs, Wargs, trolls, giant spiders, and large aquatic monsters. There are jump scares and consistently dark, suspenseful atmospheres with themes of impending doom and vulnerability. Some scenes are visually disturbing and designed to evoke fear.
A flashback scene in Season 2 features a huge water worm creature with fangs attacking a boat and destroying it. Another intense scene involves a character waking up ensnared in a web, subsequently being attacked by large spiders alongside their horse. Additional unsettling imagery includes a pile of blood transforming into a black, worm-like monster that then devours rats, bugs, and a person to assume human form.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile 'The Rings of Power' does not feature explicitly confirmed LGBTQ+ characters or relationships in its canon content as reported, there has been significant fan discourse and accusations of 'queerbaiting' regarding the deep male friendships portrayed. Discussions within fan communities speculate about interpretations of certain relationships, rather than confirmed on-screen depictions.
The close friendship between the elf Elrond and the dwarf Prince Durin IV has been interpreted by some viewers as having homoerotic subtext, leading to accusations of 'queerbaiting'. Fan communities have also discussed the potential for a 'queer affair' between Celebrimbor and Sauron (in his Annatar form), drawing on the 'seduction' narrative in Tolkien's lore as an intimate, non-explicit relationship.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic elements are present, including expressions of affection and kissing between characters. The series largely avoids explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity, though some sexual innuendos and implied intimate relationships are noted.
Prince Durin IV and Disa are shown sharing a kiss. There is a storyline where a woman initiates an affair with a man through kissing. Additionally, parental guides mention the presence of 'some sexual innuendos' and a 'secret romance between two characters'.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumMagic and sorcery are integral to the world of 'The Rings of Power', consistent with the broader Tolkien mythology. This includes references to general sorcery, the presence of god-like beings (Valar), and explicit depictions of powerful magical artifacts and demonic manipulation. The forging of the Rings and Sauron's influence are central to the plot.
Sauron utilizes 'demonic manipulation' to influence Celebrimbor during the forging of the Rings, preying on his desires and weaknesses. The creation of the Rings of Power themselves is a significant act of high magic, central to the series' narrative, imbued with potent, often corrupting, supernatural properties.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumInstances of characters acting in defiance of authority or engaging in significant political and familial conflicts are present. This includes challenging parental authority and political machinations involving accusations of treason and disregard for sacred traditions.
Prince Durin IV makes a choice to defy his father's wishes and continue mining for mithril, prioritizing his friendship with Elrond over his royal obligations. In Númenor, Pharazôn publicly accuses Queen Míriel of colluding with Sauron and declares the Faithful as traitors, demonstrating open defiance against the established monarchy and religious observance.
Profanity
LowThe level of profanity in 'The Rings of Power' is generally low. Mainstream reviews and parental guides indicate an absence of strong curse words, with only a few mild terms reported.
The British colloquialism 'bloody' is used on at least one occasion within the series. The word 'bastard' has also been reported as being used.
Substance Use
LowThe series includes depictions of characters consuming alcohol. There is no reported explicit illegal drug use or heavy smoking. Alcohol consumption is portrayed casually and does not appear to be a central or problematic theme.
Characters are shown drinking alcohol in various scenes throughout the series. Reviews explicitly state 'No alcohol use' or 'No smoking or drugs' in some detailed episode breakdowns, though overall content warnings do include alcohol use.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series operates within its own fantasy mythology, featuring fictional deities (Valar) and spiritual practices. However, it does not overtly promote anti-Christian messages or mock Christian beliefs. Instead, many reviewers note that 'The Rings of Power' maintains themes of good versus evil, temptation, and sacrifice that align with a Christian moral worldview, echoing the underlying influences of Tolkien's original work.
The series explores universal themes of good battling evil, the corrupting nature of power, and the importance of self-sacrifice, which resonate with Christian ethical frameworks. While characters in Númenor worship the Valar and venerate figures like Nienna, this is presented as part of the fictional Middle-earth religion rather than in opposition to Christianity.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-14 (United States), M (New Zealand, recommended for ages 16+), and 18+ (for Season 2 in some Canadian regions). The series is best suited for viewers aged 14 and older due to frequent fantasy violence, frightening creatures, and intense themes of war and peril. While explicit sexual content and pervasive profanity are absent, the graphic nature of some violence and the overall dark atmosphere warrant caution for younger audiences.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while the core themes align with traditional good vs. evil narratives, the visual intensity of violence and scary elements may be more impactful than previous adaptations of Tolkien's work. Season 2, in particular, has been noted for increased gore and darker themes. The series features complex storylines that might be challenging for younger children to follow, making it more suitable for mature teens and adults.
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