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Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves Characters (Image source: DnDBeyond)
Dungeons & Dragons has tried several times throughout its history to transfer the gaming experience to the big screen. However, major success has remained elusive so far. It wasn’t until Stranger Things or streaming hits on the internet that D&D managed to reach the masses. The product of this hype is now a new attempt to bring the tabletop role-playing game to cinema with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. But does the film manage to entertain both newcomers and hardcore fans? In my opinion, yes. And yet the film lacks that certain something!
Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves: Here’s What It’s About
The film takes place in the world of the Forgotten Realms, probably the most well-known region from the Dungeons and Dragons books. The bard Edgin tries to obtain a magical artifact with which he can revive his deceased wife and mother of his daughter. Both his daughter and this artifact are in the possession of the villain and former rogue of the party, Forge Fitzwilliam, now Lord of Baldur’s Gate. He protects both with the help of the magic of the feared Red Wizards. Therefore, Edgin needs the support of his companions: Simon, a wizard with self-doubt; Doric, a druid and shapeshifter; and the typical, straightforward paladin Xenk.
This forms an entertaining party that plans a heist. Throughout the film, they must, just like in the game, work through several side quests to obtain the necessary magical items with which they can break into the treasure chamber. The whole thing ends in a grand finale in the arena of Baldur’s Gate and in a boss fight against the BBEG of the film, the red wizard Sofina.
Honor Among Thieves is Really D&D
The film does many things right that previous Dungeons and Dragons film adaptations got wrong. Most importantly, however, is the fact that the film is simply fun. It captures the atmosphere that often prevails at the Dungeons and Dragons table well. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is genuinely funny in many places! Even though some jokes are very predictable, others are actually really good! A film that is visually and generally entertaining fulfills its purpose in my opinion!
Furthermore, the film is actually very close to the real D&D experience. Both spells and monsters, locations and magical items come directly from the books and thus provide great recognition for veterans. After the film, some of my friends said that you could have experienced the story just the same way at the gaming table. At the same time, the film also works if you have no idea about Dungeons and Dragons at all. A successful balancing act, then.
I only found it unfortunate that the story was nothing special in many places. It is very straightforward and therefore also very predictable. There were no major surprises or twists in the film. Since I hope that more D&D films will now follow, I hope that the next films will dare a bit more when it comes to the story.
Additionally, some characters could have had more screentime or more dialogue in my opinion. Especially the druid Doric remains very one-dimensional as a character and therefore her relationships and developments in the film seem unearned. A shame, because she’s actually a cool character that I would have liked to get to know better.
Finally, I want to give a big praise to the film’s fights. Especially because the monsters come directly from the D&D books, I enjoyed the battles. I could recognize my own D&D experiences.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: My Conclusion
As a D&D fan, I knew that I would enjoy the cinema experience with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, because I fit exactly into the film’s target audience after all. However, I think the film also works for the masses. I give the film 8 out of 10 possible stars. It did many things right and met my expectations. Therefore, I sincerely hope that there will be more films about the adventures of Edgin and his party. If the story is then designed a bit more creatively and the characters are explored more intensively, then it will get 10 out of 10 possible stars. However, I recommend everyone who enjoys pen-and-paper games to watch the film and form their own opinion.
If you want to get another opinion, then also read Marcel’s review of Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves.
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