"Honor Among Thieves" Review — A D&D Movie That Actually Gets It Right

Let’s be real, when Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was first announced, most fans were skeptical. And who could blame them? Hollywood doesn’t have the best track record with D&D. The 2000s film? Let’s just say it rolled a natural 1.

But Honor Among Thieves? Somehow, against the odds, it actually works.

Whether you’ve been rolling d20s for years or just love a good fantasy flick, Honor Among Thieves is a surprisingly fun, smart, and heartfelt adventure that captures the true spirit of a D&D campaign.

A Story That Feels Like a Real Campaign

At its heart, Honor Among Thieves follows Edgin (a bard played by Chris Pine) and his mismatched crew of adventurers as they try to steal back a powerful artifact. It sounds like your average fantasy setup, but the way it unfolds feels very D&D.

There’s a heist. There’s betrayal. There are moments where things go off the rails completely, and that’s part of the charm. The pacing is quick, the jokes actually land, and there’s never a moment where it feels like the movie is taking itself too seriously.

Most importantly, it doesn’t drown you in lore. If you don’t know what the Forgotten Realms are, no problem. But if you do, you’ll spot plenty of clever references tucked into the background.

Characters That Aren’t Just Character Sheets

Every main character in this party lines up with a classic D&D class, but they’re more than just stereotypes:

• Edgin the Bard is more than comic relief. Chris Pine brings real charm and sorrow to the role, especially when the story leans into his failures and need for redemption. He doesn’t cast flashy spells, but his leadership and cleverness make him essential to the team.  
• Holga the Barbarian, played by Michelle Rodriguez, brings muscle and heart. Her quiet backstory adds emotional depth without slowing the pace. Watching her destroy enemies with an axe one moment and care for Edgin’s daughter the next makes her both fierce and lovable.
• Simon the Sorcerer is the awkward spellcaster who struggles with self-doubt. Justice Smith portrays him as someone who’s still figuring things out, and that vulnerability pays off. His magical mishaps lead to some of the movie’s most fun and suspenseful moments.
• Doric the Druid is the tiefling wild card. Played by Sophia Lillis, she’s a member of a resistance group defending nature from greedy rulers. Her wild shape sequences, especially the escape from the castle—are some of the movie’s most visually exciting moments.

The movie doesn’t just tell you their backstories; it shows you who they are through the way they interact, fight, and argue. Just like a real D&D group, they grow as a team. That party dynamic? It feels like game night with friends.

Even the villains are surprisingly layered. Hugh Grant’s Forge isn’t a mustache-twirling caricature, he’s charming, petty, and always one step ahead. And the real antagonist, Sofina, is genuinely creepy in a way that leans into D&D’s darker magic lore.

The World Is Big, Weird, and Full of Monsters

Let’s talk visuals. From the slums of Neverwinter to ancient dungeons, the world-building is genuinely impressive. You’ll see familiar creatures like:

• Displacer Beasts
• Gelatinous Cubes
• Red Wizards of Thay

But even if you don’t recognize every monster, the movie makes sure they feel exciting and dangerous. The mix of CGI and practical effects is surprisingly smooth, and the environments feel lived-in, not like a plastic movie set.

The visual team clearly took care to make this world feel like a campaign setting, not just a movie backdrop. Towns bustle with life, ruins are loaded with traps, and the magical artifacts have weight and backstory. The dungeon scenes in particular stand out, especially one with a shifting maze that feels like something a DM would create just to mess with their players.

Everything has texture. You believe this is a place where people live, where adventurers die, and where stories have been unfolding long before the movie began.

Action That’s About Brains and Brawn

One of the biggest surprises? The action isn’t just swords and fireballs, it’s smart! Characters don’t always fight their way through problems. They trick, sneak, negotiate, or accidentally stumble into the right solution, just like players often do at the table.

There are moments where you can almost see the dice rolls behind the scenes. A perfect teleport spell. A plan that fails hilariously. A fight that hinges on teamwork instead of raw strength. It’s chaotic, creative, and so very D&D.

Fan Service That Actually Serves the Story

Yes, there are Easter eggs. Yes, there are spells and monsters that only longtime players will recognize. But the good news? The movie never stops to explain or show off. It trusts the audience. Nothing feels forced or cringey, it all fits naturally into the story. If you’ve played D&D before, you’ll catch references like:

• Spells such as Time Stop, Mage Hand, and Wild Shape
• Monster cameos including mimics, intellect devourers, and an adorable yet deadly owlbear
• A surprise appearance by characters from the classic 1980s D&D cartoon

Even the way the party argues over plans or panics in the middle of a mission feels familiar to any player. The movie captures the feeling of rolling low on a skill check or barely escaping with 1 HP, and it does so with humor and affection.

Still, none of this alienates new fans. You can walk in knowing nothing about Faerûn and have a great time. That’s what makes the movie work for both sides of the audience.

A Movie That Understands Why People Love D&D

At its best, Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just about killing dragons or collecting loot. It’s about:

• Teamwork
• Imagination
• Failing forward
• Telling stories together

Honor Among Thieves gets that. It’s a love letter to the chaotic, creative, and sometimes ridiculous nature of tabletop games. It’s about building something with your friends and seeing where the journey takes you.

The movie shows that even when you lose, you can win in other ways. It celebrates problem-solving, growth, and the kind of ridiculous plans that somehow work out in the end.

It may be the only fantasy blockbuster that truly feels like it was played as much as it was written.

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?

If you’re already a D&D fan, this movie was made with you in mind, but it also works for fantasy newcomers or anyone just looking for a fun, fast-paced adventure.

It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. What matters is that it captures the heart of the game. It respects its audience, trusts the material, and above all—remembers that this is supposed to be fun.

Verdict: Watch it. Then grab your dice and write your own story.

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