Set centuries before Frodo’s fateful journey, The War of the Rohirrim sweeps us to the battle-scarred plains of Rohan, where King Helm Hammerhand fights to defend his people against the invading Dunlendings. It’s a tale of legacy, vengeance, and courage set against the iconic backdrop of Helm’s Deep. Hera, Helm’s daughter, rises to lead in her father’s stead, proving herself a force to be reckoned with. It’s a saga of family, sacrifice, and bloody, glorious war. stream this movie on Afdah video
The voice cast gallops in like a cavalry charge. Gaia Wise as Hera balances a fierce warrior’s boldness with a leader’s compassion—dualities that she handles with remarkable finesse. Luca Pasqualino steals the show as Wulf, a character whose transformation from loyal son to vengeance-fueled antagonist is as gripping as it is tragic. His performance is electric, dripping with bitterness and raw emotion.
Brian Cox as King Helm? Absolute scene-stealer. He’s the embodiment of regal might, channeling Odin-esque gravitas to portray the iconic Tolkien legend. You feel the weight of Helm’s responsibilities, his towering strength, and his battle-born wisdom.
Rounding out the cast, familiar names like Miranda Otto, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan bring their own flair to this richly voiced tapestry.
Visually, the animation is a marvel—most of the time. Stunning, hyper-detailed landscapes feel ripped straight from Middle-earth’s map, blending realistic vistas with striking anime-style action. Some moments are so fluid and precise they feel mocapped, while others sadly don’t hold up, veering into stilted, jarring territory. Still, the swordplay and large-scale battles are a treat, delivering visceral thrills that Tolkien fans will relish.
I’ve been shouting this from the Misty Mountains for years: fantasy animation needs more love! If you can’t afford CGI dragons, go anime and tell your story. The War of the Rohirrim proves this approach works, and hopefully, it inspires others (cough GoT spinoffs cough) to follow suit.
The story is a grounded, intimate exploration of familial duty and cultural conflict, stitched seamlessly into Tolkien’s mythos. It’s rich and personal, drawing you in with well-developed characters and exhilarating action. Yet, the film’s Achilles’ heel is pacing—it drags like a cart through the Dead Marshes. Large chunks of filler between gripping drama and action feel unnecessary, making its nearly two-hour runtime a bit of a slog.
The film’s modernized narrative choices will undoubtedly spark debate. In the books, Helm’s son leads the charge posthumously, but here, Hera takes center stage as the heroic leader. It’s undeniably empowering, though some Tolkien purists may view it as a betrayal of the source material. While I applaud strong female leads, rewriting established lore can sometimes feel less like progress and more like pandering.