Lord of The Rings: 10 Stormy Relationships From The Movies, Ranked From Worst To Best
The Lord of the Rings is an epic tale of good versus evil, and it’s also full of some rather complex relationships. While it’s obvious that the heroic characters are going up against the villains to destroy the One Ring, the most compelling conflicts from the series aren’t that cut and dry. In fact, many of these relationships also involve complicated political elements present in Middle-Earth.
Whether it’s members of the Fellowship who clash because of their backgrounds or Gollum being a complicated villain, these are some of the best and most iconic complicated relationships from the books and the films.
10 Arwen and Eowyn
While Arwen and Eowyn never even interact themselves, they are positioned in the narrative as rivals for Aragorn’s love. This is an unfortunate thing in the series because there are so few female characters at all.
The movies did try to give both women bigger roles, but in doing so, they also played up the love triangle element with Aragorn. This was not the best move. While this love triangle is resolved happily, it didn't need to be as big of a focus. While fans don't see this feud directly play out, the conflict is felt throughout.
9 Saruman and Grima Wormtongue
Saruman and Grima might work together at times, but they aren’t exactly friends. Grima uses Saruman because he wants access to power, and most importantly and creepily, he wants access to Eowyn.
Saruman, for his part, wants Gima’s help to gain control of Theoden and Rohan. In the end, Grima is the one to kill Saruman, but their stormy relationship just isn’t as interesting as some of the other ones. Plus, book fans weren't pleased that Saruman's death was different than it was in the books.
8 Theoden and Aragorn
While Aragorn might not see Theoden as an enemy, Theoden definitely sees Aragorn as a kind of threat. Theoden sees clearly that Aragorn is kingly and royal in all the ways that matter and that he’s the type of person that others would want to follow.
He definitely feels inadequate in comparison, and this makes him lash out. However, it almost feels unfair because Aragorn is such a likable character, there’s no way Theoden can even compare.
7 Faramir and Denethor
This sibling quarrel is low on the list because it’s one of the most difficult to watch. While it might be realistic and even emotional, it’s also really upsetting. As Faramir’s father, Denethor should care for him, but he always favored Boromir. Denethor is a cruel person, and his cruelty mainly extends to Faramir.
It’s hard not to feel upset when Denethor says he wishes Faramir had died instead of Boromir, and these awful words lead Faramir to recklessly try to reclaim Ithilien and almost die himself. While sibling quarrels are common, it's sad these brothers couldn't have had more peace.
6 Frodo Baggins and Boromir
While most of the members of the Fellowship get along well and look out for each other, Frodo and Boromir have an interesting kind of tension between them.
Boromir is the person in the Fellowship who is the most susceptible to the call of the Ring, and he is the only one who tries to take it. While Boromir shouldn’t be completely villainized, he does make a pretty grave mistake. And, his choice to attack Frodo is what makes Frodo realize he needs to leave the Fellowship.
5 Samwise Gamgee and Gollum
This clash is probably one of the more entertaining to watch. Sam never trusts Gollum, and he is always watching him closely. This makes sense because Gollum isn’t a trustworthy character, and Sam is also very protective of Frodo.
Sam is right to now believe anything Gollum says, and Gollum doesn’t like Sam either. Because of this, their interactions are quite hilarious as they often dig at one another.
4 Frodo Baggins and Gollum
The relationship between Frodo and Gollum is very different from the one between Sam and Gollum. While Frodo doesn’t always like or trust Gollum, he feels pity for him and even a kinship as they were both Ring Bearers.
Frodo wants to believe there is something still worth saving in Gollum, and he also recognizes they need his help. However, because of the Ring, Frodo slowly begins to trust Gollum over Sam, and this leads to a pretty heart-wrenching moment when Frodo sends Sam away. This relationship is full of bitter ups and downs and does not resolve happily.
3 Aragorn and Boromir
Aragorn and Boromir also have a rather complex relationship, and this all has to do with the history of Gondor and the rule of kings versus stewards.
On the one hand, Aragorn is a threat to Boromir because he is the true heir to the throne, but, on the other, he grows to have respect for him and to want to see Aragorn unite their people. They don’t always see eye to eye, but Aragorn is deeply impacted by Boromir’s death.
2 Gandalf and Saruman
The relationship between Gandalf and Saruman is interesting to watch especially because there is an actual wizard's duel between them. While Saruman was the leader of the White Council and the greatest of the five Istari, he falls when he aligns himself with Mordor.
Then, Gandalf becomes the leader and becomes wiser and more powerful. It's an interesting storyline, and Saruman serves as a great foil antagonist to Gandalf because he represents that even the wisest can fall prey to the evil of Sauron. Though they were once friendly, the battles between them are some of the fiercest of all.
1 Legolas and Gimli
Legolas and Gimli have one of the best complicated relationships in The Lord of the Rings because they turn out to be best friends. Fans often love rivalries that turn into romances or friendships, and there is a lot of depth of symbolism to Legolas and Gimli's friendship, too.
The hatred between elves and dwarves is long and complicated, so their friendship represents a sort of healing. And, the fact that Gimli and Legolas actually sail to the Undying Lands together is important because Gimli is the first dwarf to ever be invited. What starts as a feud that is much greater than two people ends with a love and respect that transcends boundaries.