The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1, Episode 3, "Adar," now streaming on Prime Video.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is certainly upping the horror factor from the movies. It makes perfect sense because this story is about the rise of darkness, namely Sauron, so creatures like the sea worm, aggressive trolls and flesh-hungry wargs are most appreciated. They create a thicker air of tension and suspense, truly painting a picture of how Sauron's poison swept across Middle-earth.
Interestingly, while Theo and Bronwyn already fought an Orc with a slasher-like aesthetic, The Rings of Power isn't just shaping these particular creatures into mindless, primitive monsters that follow orders. In fact, Episode 3 gave them much-needed character and a cerebral, haunting kind of intelligence that teases a lot of agony to come. And more so, this approach gives the Orcs not just a physical, but a mental stamp on how the literal foundation for evil was assembled.
Now, that's not to say the Orcs in the LOTR movies were bland, because apart from their detailed design, they did have personality. Granted, they became more of a comedy gimmick, as fans gravitated more to the demented Uruk Hai. The Rings of Power, though, fixed this by making them slave masters who enjoy doling out pain.
The crowning moment that proved how repulsive Orcs were came in the Southlands after Arondir was captured. He tried to find out what darkness was encroaching, hoping to protect his beloved Bronwyn, but he was snatched and taken to a camp alongside other Elves. There, the captives were beaten and tortured as they dug tunnels in what is clearly going to be Mordor.
But when the Orcs saw Arondir and his friends tiring, one offered some water. It seemed like a kind gesture, but as a peer drank, an Orc slit his throat in a fell swoop. It stunned fans, confirming these laughing Orcs loved sick games. They basked in the glory, not caring about the mission at hand for this one moment -- they just wanted to send a message of authority. Sure, they were representing the mysterious leader, Adar, but in this case, as inmates running the asylum, they could play with their prisoners as seen fit.
The kill was so cruel, because not only was it a scary physical act, it showed how much the beasts loved feasting on hope. This can break slaves' minds, not just their bodies, so it is psychological warfare that will sow tremendous despair. After all, the slaves no longer know how to react to acts of kindness. It's a conditioning that truly intimidates, reminding fans these aren't the Orcs from the movies, who were more lackeys and foot soldiers.
These fiends have more agency and attitude, which is why, after they snuffed out a rebellion and took Arondir to Adar, they'll likely get increasingly violent. Ultimately, the more blood they spill as unforgiving masters, the more sinister the ground becomes on which Barad-dûr (Sauron's tower) may stand. In that sense, these empowered Orcs are more savage and vicious than ever. In this period, they're truly a superior species with somewhat equal say as their overlord regarding the sanctity of life.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power releases new episodes Fridays on Prime Video.