Movie Review: Dungeons and Dragons - Honor Among Thieves

I’ve never experienced a Dungeons & Dragons game before.  I’ve always been aware of the large popularity the tabletop game has had though.  Being originally published in 1974, the franchise was for a lot of people the first big dive into a world of fantasy-based role playing. There was likely no similar feeling back then when it came to having a gang of friends, all with their own set roles and attributes working together on an original storyline set up by the designated Dungeon Master. It’s a concept which even for an outsider like me generates some considerable captivation; it’s no wonder the franchise still goes strong to this day with so many spin-offs. One medium in which the franchise has already made attempts to branch off in is on the big screen; with less than stellar results. The original 2000 adaption is still regarded to this day as a truly terrible movie with a lot of bizarre creative choices behind it.  It’s a dark shadow the franchise has suffered ridicule for ever since it’s release. This is why I’m happy that the franchise was given a fairer chance with a brand-new entry in 2023; aptly titled Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. 

One of the first points of interest I picked up when looking into the production of this movie was its directors. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley both have a wealth of co-credits, primarily as a comedy film writers. Their prior directorial experience comes from films like 2015’s Vacation and 2018’s Game Night.  Their comedic approach to writing and directing feels well suited for this movie in particular. They share co-directing credits on this film as well as screenplay credits with Michael Gilio based on a story produced by Gilio and Chris McKay. The film features a pretty packed cast of well-known actors, featuring the likes of Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis and Hugh Grant.

The narrative of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows a band of adventures led by a bard called Edgin Darvis. After being imprisoned after a botched heist mission, Edgin and his travelling barbarian companion Holga Kilgore break out and set forth on a quest to rescue Edgin’s daughter and steal back the riches taken by their turncoat ally Forge Fitzwilliam. To do this Edgin recruits the aid of familiar sorcerer by the name of Simon Auma and a druid called Doric. Together this merry band of adventurers must work together to plan and deploy their heist while avoiding capture at the hands of Firtzwilliam’s mysterious right-hand lady Soffina who possesses the power of a red wizard. 

One of the key strengths I find this film has going for it is its narrative. It’s excellently paced so that it balances character building in line with its larger action-orientated set pieces. It’s focus on defining each of these characters both individually and as a team unit is refreshing. Like any normal game of Dungeons and Dragons, each member of the notorious gang has their own defining presence and attributes that makes them feel relevant to the journey they are taking part on. It’s a key reflection of the writing quality that the movie is able to define each of them individually while in equal measure keeping the narrative proceeding with its sharp pacing.  Another thing I appreciate about the story is it’s set pieces. The fantasy world of the Forgotten Realms is filled with a lot of compelling ideas and locales that the gang visit along their journey. These places help define the world in a unique manner and it gives the characters some interesting backdrops to interact with as the movie progresses along. 

From an editing and visual end, the movie does a modest job as well.  In terms of budget there’s nothing here with regards to the CGI that blew my mind; however there’s a nice sense of depth and detail behind the way the movie is designed and crafted.  A lot of creative ideas are wonderfully realized within the scope of the movies sequences and again there’s enough variety behind it to keep many viewers entertained from start to finish.  Another thing which helps the movie work is it’s cast as well.  Nearly everyone here feels like they are inhabiting there characters as apposed to playing them, which is a really nice approach that is quite smart when you consider how Dungeons and Dragons is designed to allow you to lose yourself in the class and role you are set up with. The only performance that didn’t really do anything for me was Chris Pine as Edgin. I’m not saying he was putting in a terrible effort, it just feels like he was playing himself as apposed to his actual character. 

On the whole though, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a lot better film than I ever truly was prepared to give it credit for. It does a brilliant job in taking its source material and utilizing it in a way that feels honorable for fans yet approachable for the general audience. It establishes its story and worldbuilding quickly and utilizes a sharp and concise pace to keep the viewer engaged all the way through. I’m happy the Dungeons and Dragons franchise has been given a much better adaptation then what came before and one can only hope many more stories have the chance to be told like this in the future.