Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

“Your quest begins now.”

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is based on a fantasy role-playing game. Players typically get together with a Dungeon Master (DM) who is the lead storyteller and the players go on a campaign in order to complete a special quest.

The film opens with our protagonist Elgin Darvis (Chris Pine) and a barbarian named Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), locked in a prison cell serving a sentence for theft.

We soon find our “heroes” before a pardon council pleading for early release. We then learn how they ended up in such a dire predicament. Before imprisonment, Elgin was a member of a group known as the Harpers, a type of law enforcement troop. He is married and has a daughter. On a peacekeeping mission, Elgin steals precious treasure and that one selfish act leads to the murder of his wife, and raising his daughter without her.

Elgin continued a life of thievery with his daughter (Chloe Coleman) and his band of thieves (Justice Smith—a sorcerer, and Hugh Grant—a rogue and con artist) in tow. He then gets an offer of a job that promises the opportunity to bring his wife back from the dead.

The mission is a failure, and Elgin is separated from his daughter, and upon his escape he vows to get her back. This is the start of an over 2 hour fantasy adventure with wizards, elves, spells and magic.

Chris Pine is the leading man and carries the film. I was unfamiliar with some of the supporting cast, but Chris Pine brought the best out of his co-stars, which made an enjoyable overall ensemble cast. Hugh Grant’a character (Forge Fitzwilliam) does well as the secondary antagonist. The remaining cast are noteworthy, especially Regé-Jean Page who plays Xenk Yendar (a paladin spellcaster) and secondary protagonist and Sophia Lillis who plays Doric, a druid. The plot is balanced, even if viewers are not familiar with D&D or anything related to the source material. This film is very watchable. The cinematography is brilliant with epic looking action/fight scenes.

Because the film is long, each character has a satisfying arch. Each have individual struggles that are presented and resolved in a gratifying way. It’s complete story.

Content of Concern

The primary antagonist is the Red Wizard Sofina (Daisy Head). She is essentially a witch who uses blood magic, dark powers, insidious spells and especially necromancy. This is concerning material that is central to the Red Wizard’s character and entire demeanor. The film deals with a plan to resurrect the dead with spell and a relic. There are spells and magic, talking to the dead, hope of bringing someone back from the dead. Dark imagery is present throughout this overall dark film.

There is also swearing, and it adds nothing to the plot, and actually comes off forced. There is stealing, lying, drinking and gambling.

Every notion of a high power in this film comes back to spells, magic and the power of self. We as Christians are warned to stay away from such things…

“Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God’ —Leviticus 19:31 NASB

“…sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’ —Revelation 21:8 NASB excerpt

We are called to avoid all these things, because they are not of God. Our current culture is saturated with ungodly themes and anti Christianity ideation. Standing firm against such themes is essential and crucial to in our Christian walk.

As for a recommendation, I’m familiar with the D&D lore, and can discern the fantasy storytelling laced throughout the script. That being said, the film does have dark and ominous themes. These should cause pause in Christians considering viewing this movie.

• Occult: Extreme
• Violence: Very Heavy— • prisoner breaks a man’s knees and apparently his neck • stabbing • firey arrows shot a people • crashing through a window • executioner prepares to behead a woman and man • hitting people with stones or using magic zaps • crashing people hard on the floor from the ceiling • gouging a man’s eyes with fingers • monster owl-bear attacks people • violence with various weapons • many people sliced and one apparently decapitated • large battle involving a dragon and major destruction • dragon eats several people • fighting with swords and arrows • arrow pierces through a person’s head • attack with deadly gas, killing many • more slicing • battles with undead assassins • bridge collapse with dangling person • dragon stabbed in head • attack by monster tentacles • group chased by monsters in a huge maze • tongue hacked off • fireballs exploding on a city • and more
• Wokeism: Heavy
• Vulgar/Crude language: Moderately Heavy — • S-words (5+) • Pr*ck (2) • B*llocks (1) • Son of a b*tch (2) • B*stards (3) • Bloody

  Slang definition: Bloody

  X
• Profane language: Moderate— • Oh G*d (2) • D*mn (5) • H*ll (1)
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate— drinking and instance of drunkenness
• Sex: Moderate— • Marital kiss • Man attempts to take advantage of a woman sexually (very brief) • Innuendo (light) • suggestive remarks
• Nudity: Minor— cleavage (repeated) and a man bathing (not graphic)

Learn about DISCERNMENT—wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions

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