Rings of Power faces backlash for carelessly carrying Barrow-wights. The billion dollar show missed a key Tolkien element. Read full story.

Rings of Power botched the inclusion of Barrow-wights, crucial in Tolkien’s lore, disappointing fans expecting true Middle-earth terror.
The billion dollar show failed to deliver the spine-chilling Barrow-wights, resulting in a lackluster, sanitized depiction.
Despite mixed reviews, Rings of Power Season 2 pulled in 40 million viewers in just 11 days.

Amazon splashed a billion bucks on Rings of Power with dreams of crafting the next big fantasy epic. But there’s a major blunder that’s got fans shaking their heads and clutching their Elvish swords—the botched inclusion of the Barrow-wights! Now, fans are questioning if Amazon really grasped what they were signing up for.

Charlie Vickers in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Credits: New Line Cinema

Sure, we got sweeping vistas and epic battles, but without these terrifying wights, did they miss the magical mark? In the race for fantasy dominance, leaving out the creepiest part of Middle-earth might have cost them alot!

The Rings of Power may have fumbled Middle-earth’s spookiest legends with a Disney-fied take on the Barrow-wights

A Still from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Credits: New Line Cinema

Amazon’s The Rings of Power might have stumbled with one of Middle-earth’s most terrifying legends—the Barrow Wights. While The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy mastered blending CGI and practical effects, this recent installment seemed to lean heavily on visuals that didn’t pack the same punch. And, let’s be real, The Rings of Power has a billion-dollar budget to live up to.

Season two started off strong, but episode four had a jarring moment when Elrond and Galadriel encountered the Barrow Wights. In Tolkien’s lore, these ancient spirits were meant to chill your bones. Instead, they came across as Disney-fied versions of what should’ve been haunting. Blue floating eyes? They looked more like extras from Haunted Mansion than spirits of terror. Even the way the wights disintegrated felt too clean and sanitized. Where were the rattling bones? The ominous dread?

Peter Jackson’s LOTR set the bar for visual storytelling with its smart balance of CGI and real-world magic. But The Rings of Power? It felt like it dropped the ball here, turning what should’ve been a spine-tingling encounter into a forgettable CGI showcase. The music didn’t help either—what should’ve been eerie was instead upbeat and oddly triumphant.

It’s moments like these that make you wonder: did Amazon’s billion-dollar investment miss the mark? Let’s hope future episodes bring back the magic. Rings of Power still has time to redeem itself.

Rings of Power Season 2 Hits 40M Viewers in Just 11 Days – It’s Gaining Serious Steam

A Still from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Credits: New Line Cinema

Amazon’s Rings of Power’s officially back in action, and it’s pulling in big numbers. In just 11 days, Season 2 has racked up 40M viewers with only four episodes out so far (via Deadline). Jennifer Salke, Amazon’s Head of Studios, dropped the news in a memo, celebrating the show’s spot in Prime Video’s Top 5 seasons of all time.

Sure, the show took a 50% hit compared to Season 1’s premiere, but fans are still coming back in droves. And it’s not just the U.S. crowd—viewership’s blowing up internationally, too.

With Sauron creeping back into the spotlight, Rings of Power isn’t done yet. Will it climb back to the top by the end of the season? Let’s see if it can reclaim that Middle-earth magic!

Watch Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime.