You won’t hate the players or the game.
In a cinematic landscape increasingly obsessed with taking itself too seriously, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves rolls for charisma and absolutely lands a Nat 20. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley have managed a rare feat: crafting a film that is deeply rooted in its source material while remaining accessible, breezy, and irresistibly fun for anyone who’s never so much as glanced at a twenty-sided die. The result is a raucous adventure that captures the collaborative spirit of a D&D campaign while standing firmly on its own two feet as a high-spirited heist film.
Central to the film’s charm is Chris Pine, whose portrayal of Edgin Darvis, a bard with a knack for mischief and music, is brimming with effortless charisma. Pine has often been at his best when allowed to play against the archetype of the stoic hero, and his Edgin here is worlds apart from his occasionally over-serious James T. Kirk. He imbues the character with a delightful blend of roguish charm and emotional depth, making him both the heart and comic pulse of the story. Pine’s performance is particularly effective when paired with Michelle Rodriguez as Holga Kilgore, the bruiser with a heart of gold and a penchant for cracking skulls. Their easy, platonic camaraderie is a refreshing highlight, and it’s clear the cast is having just as much fun as the audience.
The ensemble as a whole is impressively balanced, with Regé-Jean Page stealing scenes as the painfully earnest paladin, Xenk, whose sincerity feels both heroic and absurd. Justice Smith brings unexpected warmth and a touch of self-doubt to his role as Simon the sorcerer, while Sophia Lillis is quietly compelling as Doric, a Tiefling druid with a practical streak. Even Hugh Grant, as the slippery antagonist Forge Fitzwilliam, leans gleefully into his role, exuding oily charm and opportunistic malice. Together, the cast creates a dynamic adventuring party that embodies the collaborative, chaotic energy that defines the game’s appeal.
What’s remarkable is how well the film strikes a balance between catering to D&D enthusiasts and welcoming a whole new audience. Long-time fans will delight in the careful nods to the game’s lore – familiar spells, monsters, and settings are woven seamlessly into the story without feeling like a checklist of Easter eggs. Meanwhile, newcomers are drawn in by the film’s light-hearted tone, its accessible plot, and its refusal to get bogged down in exposition. It trusts the audience to enjoy the ride, whether or not they can tell a gelatinous cube from an owlbear.
For those with a keen eye and a touch of nostalgia, the film offers a particularly charming Easter egg: a fleeting cameo from the adventuring party of the 1980s Dungeons & Dragons cartoon series. The sight of these beloved characters confirms their existence within this cinematic world and raises an exciting possibility – could they, too, be gearing up for their own big-screen outing? The cameo is both a delightful nod to long-time fans and a bold signal that this universe is brimming with potential stories waiting to be told.
The film’s world bursts with vibrant imagination, blending practical effects and CGI to create a setting that feels both fantastical and wonderfully unpredictable. While the occasional effect may not fully convince, the ambition behind the visuals is undeniable. The tactile design of the environments and the inventive portrayal of magic add a unique flair, making every scene feel alive with possibility and spectacle.
Ultimately, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves succeeds because it understands that a good story, like a great campaign, is about more than just the destination – it’s about the journey and the people you share it with. With its winning performances, sharp humour, and heartfelt narrative, it doesn’t just honour the source material – it elevates it. Fans of the game will be thrilled to see their beloved world brought to life with such affection, but even those who wouldn’t know a dungeon from a dragon are likely to find themselves swept up in the sheer joy of it all. It’s an adventure worth taking, and one that will leave audiences hoping for another roll of the dice.
