The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Parent Guide
Epic fantasy adventure with intense battle sequences and frightening fantasy creatures, suitable for mature children who can handle sustained action violence.
Content breakdown
Extended battle sequences with fantasy violence including swords, arrows, and magical attacks. Characters face constant peril from evil creatures and dark forces. Some destruction of settlements and environments.
Frightening fantasy creatures including orcs, trolls, and other monstrous beings. Dark, ominous settings and themes of corruption. Some intense, suspenseful sequences.
No notable profanity or offensive language in the fantasy context.
No sexual content or nudity.
No depiction of substance use.
Sustained tension throughout the nearly 3-hour runtime. Themes of sacrifice, corruption, and darkness. Characters face difficult moral choices and separation from friends.
Parent tips
This fantasy adventure contains intense battle sequences with fantasy violence including sword fights, arrows, and magical attacks. There are frightening creatures like orcs and trolls, and some scenes show peril and destruction. The film's length (nearly 3 hours) may be challenging for younger viewers, and the complex plot with multiple storylines requires attention.
While there's no sexual content, strong language, or substance use, the emotional intensity is significant with themes of corruption, sacrifice, and darkness. The PG-13 rating reflects the sustained action violence and frightening images throughout the film. Parents should consider their child's sensitivity to fantasy violence and ability to follow intricate storytelling.
Parent chat guide
During viewing, pause if needed to check in about intense scenes, especially battle sequences or frightening creatures. You might ask simple questions like 'How do you think that character is feeling right now?' to help process emotional moments.
After watching, focus conversations on the characters' choices and relationships rather than the violence. Discuss how different characters showed courage, helped friends, or faced temptations. Relate these themes to everyday situations where we make choices about doing what's right.
Parent follow-up questions
- Which character did you like the most and why?
- What was your favorite part of the movie?
- How did the friends help each other in the story?
- What made you feel happy in the movie?
- What was something brave that happened?
- Why do you think some characters made different choices?
- How did the characters show they were good friends?
- What was the most exciting part for you?
- What would you do if you had to carry something important like the characters did?
- How did the music and sounds make you feel during different scenes?
- What do you think the story teaches about working together?
- How did different characters show courage in different ways?
- Why do you think some characters were tempted to do wrong things?
- What makes a good leader according to this story?
- How do fantasy stories like this help us think about real-life challenges?
- How does the film explore the theme of corruption and power?
- What moral dilemmas did different characters face, and how did they handle them?
- How does the fantasy setting allow the story to discuss universal human experiences?
- What did you think about how the film portrayed friendship and loyalty under pressure?
- How do the different storylines connect to create a larger message about good versus evil?
Story overview
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers continues the epic fantasy adventure where characters are on separate journeys in a dangerous world. Some characters search for captured friends while others carry a powerful object toward a dark land. The story involves battles against evil forces and explores themes of friendship, courage, and temptation.
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region. You can search for this movie trailer on YouTube.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- HBO Max
- HBO Max Amazon Channel
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
- Plex