Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves received high marks, with a 91% critic score and a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Even people new to the game enjoyed it. For me, the best part was how the script made the fantasy world easy to understand, letting the story explain itself without feeling forced.
Right from the start, Edgan’s narration about the characters’ backgrounds felt just like how players introduce themselves in a tabletop RPG. It pulled me into the game’s world without me even realizing it.
When elves, dwarves, and dragons showed up, the movie never stopped to explain what they were. Instead, I picked up on the world’s rules just by watching the characters interact. This careful “show, don’t tell” style is rare in recent fantasy movies and shows how skilled the filmmakers are.
A Character Drama Woven by Charming “Losers”
Edgan, the main character, is a classic “flawed hero” who comes through when it matters. Chris Pine’s easygoing charm makes him likable, much like Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s not the best fighter, but his quick thinking and clever escapes fit the Bard role perfectly.
Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga, a tough Barbarian who’s all muscle but has a big heart. Her caring side, especially toward Edgan’s daughter Kira, is the emotional center of the story. Their bond feels real and adds meaning to the choices made at the end.
Simon, the shy wizard, and Dric, the quiet druid, both grow a lot during the film. Simon discovers his own abilities, and Dric learns to trust his friends. These changes feel believable, even though the movie isn’t very long.
Main Characters
| Character Name | Actor | Occupation | Race | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgan | Chris Pine | Bard | Human | Wits and ideas get him out of tight spots. |
| Holga | Michelle Rodriguez | Barbarian | Human | Solves problems with brute force, but is kind at heart |
| Simon | Justice Smith | Sorcerer | Human | Timid but possesses a hidden talent |
| Dric | Sofia Lillis | Druid | Elf | Taciturn and closed off, but gradually changes |
| Zenak | Régis-Jean Page | Paladin | 人間 | Honest, serious, and noble warrior |
Direction that shines with a sense of comedy that doesn’t take the easy route
The film’s humor stands out because it avoids cheap jokes. One of the best examples is the graveyard scene where they use the “Speak with the Dead” spell.
The party visits a graveyard and a former battlefield to find clues about the treasure they must steal. The druid, Dric, casts a spell allowing them to question the dead, but it comes with a restriction: “Only five questions per corpse.”
It leads to a surprisingly funny scene. The dead remember lives, but aren’t always helpful. One gives completely wrong answers, while another is still bitter and gives snarky replies. The group wastes their questions, and their confused reactions are hilarious.
The brilliance of this scene lies in how it takes the serious setting of a fantasy world magic and grounds it in the humor of realistic “communication breakdowns.” Even with powerful magic, if the user is clumsy, it won’t work. This portrayal of “imperfect adventurers” symbolizes the character essence of this work.
Masterful Visual Technology and Direction
The CGI in this movie is especially impressive. There are lots of creatures and magical effects that look like they came right out of the game. Classic monsters are brought to life in a way that feels real and exciting, even for people who don’t know the original game.
Visually, the most striking scene was the maze-escape sequence in the arena, announced by “Let the Games Begin.” The party is thrown into a massive colosseum, forced to flee through a complex maze structure while evading relentless waves of enemies and traps.
This scene stands out because it highlights what makes each character special. Horka breaks through walls, Dric changes into animals to get through tight spots, and Simon uses magic to trick enemies. The camera moves quickly but always makes it clear who’s doing what, keeping the action exciting and easy to follow.
The “Wild Shape Chase” is inspiring. Dric escapes by turning into different animals—first a fly, then a rat, then a cat. The way the film shows all these changes in one shot is impressive, and it really captures the idea of the Druid as the ultimate stealth character. Watching it felt as thrilling as playing an action game.
The fight with the chubby dragon “Thunderbreath” is another highlight. Its cute look and rolling movements make it more lovable than scary. Like the other creatures, it’s brought to life with top-notch CGI, making it feel real. It’s like seeing game book drawings come alive, which is a real treat for fantasy fans.
The action scenes aren’t just for show—they help show how the characters grow and start working together. The arena escape, in particular, marks the moment when the group finally comes together as a real team, making it an essential moment in the story and on screen.
The battle scene against the obese dragon “Thunderbreeze” is also memorable. Its endearing design, subverting the traditional “terrifying dragon” image, and its rolling movement capture the audience’s hearts. The CGI is highly technical, rendering it as a believably real creature.
A Classic Story Structure and Broad Appeal
The movie follows a classic story pattern: the heroes gather allies, make a plan, carry it out, face betrayal, and then confront the real enemy. This predictability is actually a strength, since it lets you relax and enjoy the adventure with the characters.
The film uses the successful formula from Guardians of the Galaxy but adds its own fantasy twist. It avoids the problem of too many jokes, balancing humor and profound moments well. It reminded me of classics like The Princess Bride and Shrek, which also mix comedy and adventure. This movie deserves to be in that group.
Even as someone unfamiliar with the source material, I never felt left behind. Jargon and proper nouns are kept to a minimum, and the straightforward “defeat the bad guys” framework is consistently maintained. While there were moments where katakana place names and item names flew around, the characters provided explanations or reactions at just the right moments, ensuring I never felt lost.
Character Relationships Could Have Gone Deeper
If I had to mention one flaw, it’s that I wanted the character relationships to go a bit deeper. A few more minutes about Holga and Edgan’s past, or more on Dric and Simon’s backgrounds, would have made their bonds feel stronger. With so many characters in a two-hour movie, some moments felt rushed. If there’s a sequel, exploring these relationships more could make the film even better.
With so many big franchises around, this movie is an excellent reminder of how fun a standalone film can be. It welcomes both fantasy fans and newcomers, showing what a genuinely entertaining film looks like.
Summary: A meticulously crafted fantasy comedy that shines with careful attention to detail, offering a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stands out as one of the most carefully crafted fantasy films in recent years. It successfully balances a deep affection for the source material with a high level of cinematic polish, making it an entertaining film that appeals to a broad audience.
In an era dominated by massive franchises, this film serves as a refreshing reminder of the value of a standalone movie that stands on its own and delivers pure, unadulterated enjoyment. Opening its doors equally to those familiar with fantasy worlds and those utterly new to it, this film is a textbook example of entertainment cinema. I definitely want to see it again.
About the Original “Dungeons & Dragons”
The source material for this film is the world’s first tabletop role-playing game, born in America in 1974. It boasts over 50 million players worldwide and remains the most played TRPG to this day.
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a game where players become adventurers using dice and imagination, embarking on quests within stories narrated by a Dungeon Master (GM). This revolutionary game system became the progenitor of all subsequent role-playing games, including Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Wizardry, and Ultima. In other words, the very RPG genre we enjoy today was born from D&D.
Wizards of the Coast Japan currently publishes the Japanese edition, and the official website (https://dnd-jp.com/) offers the Basic Rules for free. If you’ve seen the movie and are intrigued, we highly recommend taking this opportunity to try the original game.
For Those Who Want to See Actual Play
If you’re curious about how D&D is played, there’s a wealth of video content available.
Critical Role comes highly recommended. It is the world’s most extensive live-streamed D&D campaign featuring professional voice actors, with multiple campaigns, including Campaign 1 (C1), Campaign 2 (C2), and Campaign 3 (C3), running. The official YouTube channel systematically organizes episodes and VODs in each campaign’s playlist. Start by watching a campaign playlist or the most recent stream.
Additionally, the YouTube channel “WIRED” features a video titled “Inside the 40-Year-Long Dungeons & Dragons Game,” spotlighting players who have been playing the same campaign (a long-term scenario) for 40 years. It offers a glimpse into the depth and appeal of D&D.
Numerous play report articles for beginners are also available, creating an environment where even those who feel “it looks fun but seems difficult” can gradually deepen their understanding.
