“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” wants to be the movie that finally brings tabletop role-playing to the big screen. It mostly succeeds, even when the plot gets tangled. This is a film about friendship, betrayal, and a magic amulet that can make anyone forget who they really are. It’s also a movie that knows it’s playing with a built-in audience, and it leans into that with confidence.
Trailer, via Paramount Pictures.
Ed and Simon
The film follows Ed Bronson (Chase Loeffel), a thief who gets caught up in a scheme to steal a powerful amulet. His best friend, Simon (Brendan Fraser), is a dwarf who runs a tavern. When the amulet’s power starts affecting the city, Ed and Simon find themselves pulled into a quest that could change the fate of their world.
The setup is simple. The execution is anything but.
Fraser’s Heart
Fraser is the heart of this film. He plays Simon with warmth, humor, and a genuine sense of wonder. His performance anchors the story when the script threatens to drift. The chemistry between Fraser and Loeffel as the mismatched pair is the best reason to see the movie. Their scenes together feel lived-in, like two friends who have spent years telling each other stories.
Loeffel holds his own opposite him, though his character’s arc takes a while to get going. The supporting cast includes Patrick Schwarzenegger as a rival thief and Hannah John-Kamen as a mysterious noblewoman. They’re competent, but they don’t quite reach the same heights as the central pairing.
The Amulet’s Power
The amulet itself is the McGuffin that drives the plot. It has the power to make people forget things, and that power spreads across the city. The film spends time showing how this affects ordinary citizens, which adds a layer of dread to the adventure. It’s a clever twist, and it gives the story a sense of stakes beyond just winning the game.
The city itself is rendered with care. The production design draws on classic fantasy tropes, from cobblestone streets to grand castles. It’s a beautiful canvas, even if the camera sometimes struggles to keep up with the action.
Loeffel’s Journey
Loeffel’s Ed starts as a thief and ends up something else entirely. The film tracks his growth through the story, but the journey is uneven. Some scenes land with real weight. Others feel rushed, especially in the middle stretch where the plot gets crowded with side quests and new characters.
Still, the final act finds him at his best. The payoff earns the earlier rough patches, and Loeffel delivers a note that lands with genuine emotion.
Fraser’s Peak Moment
Fraser’s performance peaks in a moment that feels like a throwback to his earlier work. It’s a note that resonates, and it’s the clearest sign that the film understands what made him a star in the first place. The scene doesn’t rely on spectacle. It relies on his face and his timing, and it works.
That’s a compliment to both the film and the actor. Fraser has been unfairly typecast in recent years, and this performance shows he still has range. It’s a reminder that the right material can bring out the best in a performer.
The Middle Stretch
The pacing suffers in the middle. There’s a stretch where the story slows down while the filmmakers introduce new threats and new allies. It’s not a fatal flaw, but it does weaken the momentum that the opening builds. The film also leans on a few familiar genre beats, which can feel predictable to viewers who’ve seen this kind of fantasy before.
The villain, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, is serviceable but underwritten. His motivations are thin, and the film doesn’t spend enough time making him feel like a threat. That’s a shame, since Schwarzenegger has shown he can play complex roles in other projects.
The Score and Sound
The music, composed by Brian Tyler, carries the film’s tone. It’s bombastic where it needs to be, and quieter during the emotional beats. It doesn’t overwhelm the dialogue, which is a relief. The score knows when to step back and let the actors do the work.
The sound design is solid too. The sword fights have weight, and the magic effects are rendered with care. The film doesn’t overuse its audio tricks, which helps keep the world grounded despite its fantastical setting.
The Ending
The ending ties everything together. The amulet’s power is resolved in a way that feels earned, and the characters get the conclusions they deserve. There’s a hint of a sequel, but the film doesn’t lean on it. It stands on its own.
That’s a rare quality in today’s blockbuster landscape. Too many films leave threads dangling so they can justify a follow-up. This one doesn’t. It tells a complete story and trusts the audience to appreciate it.
The Verdict
“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is a flawed but enjoyable fantasy adventure. Brendan Fraser gives the performance of his career, and the film’s love for its source material is infectious. The plot drags in the middle, and some characters feel underdeveloped, but the final act redeems the earlier missteps.
It won’t convert non-fans, but for those who grew up rolling dice, it hits all the right nostalgia buttons. It’s a film that respects its audience’s intelligence while still delivering the spectacle they want. That balance is harder to strike than it looks.
The film earns its place in the genre. It’s a worthy addition to the fantasy shelf, and it proves that tabletop gaming can translate to the big screen with the right cast and vision.
| Section | Key Element |
|---|---|
| Ed and Simon | Setup, dwarf tavern owner |
| Fraser’s Heart | Chemistry, warmth, humor |
| The Amulet’s Power | Forgetfulness, city-wide spread |
| Loeffel’s Journey | Growth, uneven arc |
| Fraser’s Peak Moment | Throwback, timing |
| The Middle Stretch | Side quests, pacing |
| The Score and Sound | Bombastic music, solid sound design |
| The Ending | Earned resolution, no sequel lean |
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