Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves shows that it’s entirely possible to make a respectable adaptation of a beloved property without limiting its appeal to just the fans. It smartly captures what makes D&D special—rich world-building, imagination, creative problem-solving, and collaboration between wildly different characters—but uses that foundation to tell a story that’s accessible to everyone. At its core are two relationships that give the film surprising emotional depth: a genuine friendship and a father learning how to put his daughter’s needs before his own.
During the 2010s, the rise of superhero films quietly pushed traditional adventure movies to the sidelines. Outside of animated fare, we haven’t had a notable box office hit in this genre since the early Hobbit and Pirates of the Caribbean sequels. Honor Among Thieves recaptures that spirit of going on a journey—with challenges, set pieces, and eccentric personalities—recalling the blockbuster fantasy adventures of the 2000s like Pirates, Narnia, or even The Lord of the Rings. It doesn’t aim for the epic grandeur or deep lore of the latter; instead, it feels more aligned with the former two, mixed with a comedic tone and character banter reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy. Here, the characters grow closer not through dramatic conflict, but by joking their way through increasingly wild situations.
Like the Guardians films, the group here is full of personality, but also plays off each other with instant chemistry. None of the actors are massive stars who overpower the material (and that’s a plus—just look at how Jungle Cruise became more of a Dwayne Johnson vehicle than an adventure movie). What you get instead is a genuinely balanced ensemble that grows into a found family. That emotional connection pays off, especially when the story calls for betrayal or sacrifice—both of which hit harder because the characters feel genuinely connected.
That bond is especially strong between Chris Pine’s Edgin Darvis and Michelle Rodriguez’s Holga Kilgore. The two share an easy, lived-in rapport that makes their characters’ long friendship entirely believable. They’ve clearly been through a lot together, and both show compassion for each other’s past mistakes. Edgin’s arc, while familiar, is handled with warmth—he learns to let go of selfish motives and focus on what’s best for his daughter. The script wisely never paints him as truly selfish, just flawed, and Pine brings his usual charm and emotional honesty to the role. Cast highlights also include a delightfully straight-faced turn from Regé-Jean Page, and a surprise cameo from a multi-Oscar-nominated actor that pops up in one of the film’s most hilarious moments.
It wouldn’t be a great adventure movie without memorable stops along the way, and Honor Among Thieves delivers a handful of distinct and clever ones. From the hilarious cemetery scene (where they can only ask each corpse five questions), to a chubby dragon encounter, to emotionally charged locations that reconnect characters with their past, and finally, a thrilling labyrinth-style arena (reportedly packed with references to the game), the film juggles humor, suspense, and heart with surprising finesse.
Technically, the film also impresses. Practical effects—like animatronics in the cemetery sequence—add texture and believability that many CGI-heavy fantasy movies lack. Lorne Balfe’s score brings in just enough Celtic flavor to evoke classic medieval adventure vibes without overwhelming the scenes. The production design is charming without feeling overly polished or grandiose, and the story keeps things refreshingly straightforward. Yes, there’s a lot of fantasy jargon, but it never feels overwhelming or essential to enjoy the film.
In the end, Honor Among Thieves is a great—if not one of the best—examples of how to adapt a beloved property: understand its core, respect the fans, and still build something that works entirely on its own. It’s fun, sincere, and full of personality. I really hope we get a sequel—this is a world I’d happily return to.