40K Pop Khorne: The Kulture of Orks In Cinema
Have you been looking for some movies that will help you get in that “Orky” Mindset? Well we’ve got a handful that just might do the trick!
Welcome to another 40k Pop Khorne, the intersection of all things Warhammer and Pop Culture. Today, we’re diving into the Orks and their mighty greenskin kulture! The Orks are known for a few things but their society directly revolves around a good krumpin’ – that’s fighting/brawling/crushing/and more fighting to us regular ‘umies. And while that is a big part of the Ork-life, they also known to be gear-heads, scrapper, and kinda…goofy at the same time! We think these movies really tap into those primal urges and “get” what it means to be an Ork.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Cars, fighting, scrapping, scavenging, and surviving – this movie is the Ork-life. In fact, I’d argue that if you had painted all the Warboys in this movie Green, you’d pretty much have a movie about Orks. If this movie was JUST the different warbands fighting each other, and they had greenskin, then it would BE a movie about Orks from 40k. I don’t think anyone who was a fan of both this movie and warhammer didn’t notice some of the parallels. That’s why it’s on our list!
Green Street Hooligans (2005)
This movie is all about the Football Hooliganism in the UK. It functions as sort-of a primer for American audiences about the culture of hooliganism around Football/Soccer that was happening during that era. In fact, in some parts of the worlds, this is still very much a thing. Now I’m not here to get into the social commentary of hooliganism, but rather to point to it and this movie as how it does a really good job of representing Ork Kulture.
These “fans” live for their team and are more than happy to fight “fans” of the other teams. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose, but it’s more about the fight and camaraderie than anything else. That is a very Orky thing. If you need to get into the mindset of an Ork, watch this movie!
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
“Ricky Bobby is not a thinker. Ricky Bobby is a DRIVER.” I think that perfectly sums up the mindset of the ‘hero’ of this movie. I also think that this speaks to Orks as a whole. Orks are not thinkers. Orks are Fighters. And they want to go fast. Like, REAL fast. This movie dumb in all the right ways and there is something so fun and charming about that. It’s goofy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. And if you’ve ever played an Ork list, you know that those random things will happen and it will either be AMAZING for you or it’s going to be a spectacular failure to watch. You’re either first or you’re last. You can’t have two #1 – that’s 11. Ricky Bobby is an Ork, if an Ork could drive in NASCAR.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Death Race 2000 is a classic Rodger Corman B-movie. It’s spawned a whole new generation of these films but I wanted to called out the original because there is something so very Orky about driving cars cross-country looking to smash/kill/destroy all for the visual spectacle it creates.
The premise of this movie is odd but, at it’s core, it’s something that an Ork can truly identify with. Go fast. Kill stuff. And be the first racer to cross the finish line alive. Cars and Guns. Explosions and Fuel. WAAAGH!!!!!!
Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
Normally, I’d post the trailer, but that’s not important. Just watch the clip above. It’s a comedic take on “MORE DAKKA!” for sure – and that’s the essence of orky. When the kill counter keeps flying up, and the bullets are getting sprayed everywhere, it meant as comedic effect but that’s how orks roll! Also, the part where the hero throws the bullets, still in their casings at the enemy and they all fall down, how does that even work!? Because he believed it would work. Just like an ork! Finally, note the lack of reloading. Yep. That’s orks for ya.
Fighting. Shooting. Comedy. And going Fast. That’s Orky to me. There are LOTS more movie out there that do all of these things – let us know your go-to Orky Movies in the comments!
