Released just before the frenzy of Baldur’s Gate 3, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is Hollywood’s latest attempt to ride the wave of the renewed popularity of D&D—a revival sparked by younger generations diving into the tabletop game after watching Stranger Things. Unlike the surprise hit of Baldur’s Gate 3 in the gaming world, which made CRPGs cool again, this film arrived and departed with little fanfare, despite its pre-release hype and generally positive reviews.

Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Gilio, the film is set in the vibrant Forgotten Realms campaign setting but has no ties to the previous D&D film trilogy. The story follows the charming bard Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) and the fierce barbarian Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez) as they assemble a ragtag team of heroes to steal an ancient and powerful relic. Alongside them are a sorcerer, a rogue, and a druid, all adding their own flair to this fantasy heist. The cast, including Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant, delivers solid performances, making their characters both likable and relatable.

While the film is set in the iconic Forgotten Realms, it surprisingly does not utilize its most well-known inhabitants, such as Drizzt Do’Urden, the legendary dark elf, or other major characters who have become fan favorites. A story like R.A. Salvatore’s The Crystal Shard would have been a perfect launchpad for a film franchise, leaning into all the classic tropes of the genre while also embodying the elements that make D&D such an enduring phenomenon in pop culture. A narrative centered around Drizzt and his companions would have provided both the high stakes and the rich character development that fans of the game expect, creating a more compelling and immersive experience.

What Honor Among Thieves does well is capture the essence of a group of friends having fun on a whimsical D&D adventure, rather than focusing on established lore or well-known stories from the universe. This approach brings a fresh, light-hearted tone to the film, which is enjoyable but also limits its narrative depth. The plot revolves around Edgin’s quest to reconcile with his daughter and the pursuit of a mystical artifact, with Hugh Grant playing a two-faced con man as the primary antagonist, aided by a creepy witch. While entertaining, this central conflict feels more like a subplot stretched to fill the film’s runtime, lacking the high stakes and tension typically expected in epic fantasy tales.

Given the rich history of D&D, filled with countless stories created by players and dungeon masters since the game’s inception in the early ’70s, it’s surprising that the film’s plot feels somewhat half-baked. The movie starts strong, with an engaging first act that sets up the world and characters effectively. However, it loses momentum in the third act, with the narrative running out of steam and failing to deliver a sense of genuine peril or danger that would have made the story more compelling.

For fans of the genre and the game, there’s still much to enjoy here. The special effects and production design are commendable, the action set pieces are fun, and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Yet, as a representation of the D&D universe on the big screen, the film falls short of its potential. It lacks the depth and stakes that could have elevated it to the epic fantasy adventure that fans have long hoped for.

In conclusion, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a solid and entertaining film with a few memorable moments, but it doesn’t quite live up to the rich storytelling tradition of the D&D universe. While it offers a fun, light-hearted romp through the Forgotten Realms, it ultimately leaves viewers wishing for a bit more depth and adventure. A good effort, but there’s no doubt that a Dungeons & Dragons movie can—and should—be so much better.