The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

When a calculating and treacherous Rohan lord named Wulf turns on his own people to avenge his father's death, the kingdom is plunged into violence and betrayal. King Helm Hammerhand, a stern and battle-hardened ruler, sees his hold on the realm tested as refugees and warriors stream toward the Hornburg. With allies strained and betrayals exposed, Helm and his followers prepare a desperate defense within the great fortress, holding onto hope, memory, and a stubborn code of honor while the enemy closes in. The story focuses on tense strategy, personal grudges, and the human cost of war without revealing how the conflict resolves.

Released in 2024, this animated entry in the Lord of the Rings line was directed by Kenji Kamiyama. The screenplay credits include Arty Papageorgiou, Phoebe Gittins, and Jeffrey Addiss, and the voice cast features Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, Gaia Wise as Héra, Luke Pasqualino as Wulf, Laurence Ubong Williams as Fréaláf, and Lorraine Ashbourne as Olwyn. The film mixes fantasy spectacle with character-focused scenes.

Audience response has been mixed-to-positive, reflected in an average vote of 6.558 out of 10 from 760 ratings. Viewers and critics often comment on the film's energetic action and distinct animation choices, while opinions vary on pacing and how much of Tolkien's tone carries over. Major themes include leadership under pressure, the pull of vengeance, loyalty among kin, and the heavy price communities pay during sustained conflict.

Among fans the movie prompted renewed interest in Rohan's past, sparking conversations about adapting well-known literary material in an animated format and the risks of changing tone from previous live-action interpretations. It brought Helm Hammerhand and lesser-known Rohirrim figures into wider discussion, and its stylistic choices led to lively debate about how best to honor source material while trying new visual approaches.