Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The cinematic journey begins in a desolate, frigid landscape, where a prisoner transport brings an orc-like creature to a foreboding prison. Upon arrival, he is introduced to his cellmates: the charming and enigmatic bard Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) and the fierce and formidable barbarian Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez). The orc's advances are swiftly rebuffed by Holga, who responds with brutal force, shattering his knees and disfiguring his face.

The next day, Edgin and Holga are summoned before the Absolution Council to present their case for a pardon. Edgin begins by sharing his poignant backstory, providing context for his presence in this unforgiving world. He recounts his former life as a member of the Harpers Faction, a group of skilled operatives who battled against evil. Edgin was once married to Zia (Georgia Landers) and had a young daughter, Kira. Tragedy struck when a group of ruthless Red Wizards attacked their home, leaving Edgin a widowed father and causing him to abandon his former life. As he struggled to provide for himself and Kira, he met Holga, who was banished from her tribe for her forbidden love affair with an outsider. Despite their best efforts to live honest lives, they were forced into a life of thievery, with Holga becoming a surrogate mother figure to Kira (Chloe Coleman).

Edgin and Holga's fortunes changed when they teamed up with novice sorcerer Simon Aumar (Justice Smith) and the cunning rogue Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant). Their exploits in theft and deception were marked by a chance encounter with Sofina, a mysterious wizard. She requested their assistance in plundering Korin's Keep, a stronghold of the Harpers Faction rumored to contain untold riches. Initially hesitant, Edgin was swayed by Forge's promise that the keep held the Tablet of Reawakening, which he believed could be used to bring Zia back to life. The plan unraveled when Sofina's true intentions were revealed, and she employed a time-freezing spell to entrap Edgin and Holga. In the chaos that ensued, Edgin entrusted Forge with the Tablet and asked him to safeguard Kira, while Simon managed to escape unscathed.

As Edgin waits for Council member Jarnathan to arrive, a bird-like creature whose very presence seems to carry the weight of authority, he and Holga concoct a plan to utilize Jarnathan's unique abilities to break free from their predicament. The unlikely trio successfully navigates through the window, leaving the constraints of their previous situation behind. With their pardon in hand, Edgin and Holga resolve to relocate Forge, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming the Tablet of Reawakening and reuniting Edgin with his daughter Kira.

Their journey takes them to Neverwinter, a city bustling with excitement as it prepares for its annual Highsun Games. It is here that they are reunited with Kira, who exhibits a mix of emotions upon seeing her father - a blend of joy and resentment, stemming from the misconception that Edgin abandoned her out of self-interest. As they reunite, they also encounter Forge, the cunning individual who has leveraged the stolen riches to claim lordship over Neverwinter.

Forge's revelation about his true intentions and the manipulation he has inflicted upon Kira serves as a catalyst for Edgin's determination to take action. The trio meets with Sofina, Forge's advisor, whose magical prowess proves to be a significant obstacle in their quest. Ultimately, Edgin and Holga find themselves imprisoned, with Sofina issuing orders for their execution.

Holga's bravery allows her to escape, paving the way for Edgin's own liberation. Recognizing the need for a well-planned heist to rescue Kira from Forge's clutches, they set out to assemble a team. With the Highsun Games on the horizon, Edgin and Holga seize the opportunity to gather resources by recruiting Simon, a skilled illusionist capable of distracting the masses with his magic tricks.

Simon's diversionary tactics prove effective in stealing the audience's valuables, drawing attention away from their true intentions. As chaos ensues, Simon barely escapes with his life before running into Edgin and Holga. He agrees to join forces, offering valuable insight about a potential ally who can aid them in their mission to take down Forge.

As the trio ventures forth, they seek out Doric (Sophia Lillis), a youthful druid who had previously rebuffed Simon's amorous advances. Upon arriving at her location, they witness a gruesome spectacle: a young woman is about to be brutally executed by having her limbs torn asunder by a horse. However, this equine executioner proves to be none other than Doric herself, disguising her true form as she transforms into an owl-bear hybrid. With her new shape, she effortlessly dispatches the villains and frees the condemned woman from her cruel fate.

Following this daring rescue, the group approaches Doric, who harbors deep-seated mistrust towards humans due to the abandonment of her own family for her tiefling heritage. Despite this skepticism, she reveals her motivations for seeking to topple Forge: his oppressive regime had imprisoned or slaughtered countless druids who dared question his rule. Her ultimate goal is to fight for the liberation of her people.

Meanwhile, in the shadowy recesses of Sofina's chambers, the enigmatic lich Szass Tam (Ian Thanmore) entrusts her with their master plan, which Sofina hopes to exploit by utilizing Forge as a pawn in their grand scheme. After this clandestine meeting, Sofina joins Forge as he convenes with other powerful lords to discuss the upcoming Highsun Games. However, she remains vigilant, detecting the presence of Doric, who has transformed into a fly and infiltrated Forge's gathering. As the guards move to apprehend her, Doric employs her shape-shifting abilities to evade capture and return to her companions.

Doric reports back to the group that Forge's treasured vault is safeguarded by the formidable Arcane Seal of Mordenkainen, a barrier that Simon deems insurmountable without the aid of the fabled Helmet of Disjunction. This coveted artifact has been lost for centuries, but Holga reveals her people had fought against the Cult of the Dragon and may possess knowledge about its whereabouts. The only obstacle is that the members of her tribe are now extinct.

As the group continues their journey, they make a pit stop at the residence of Holga's estranged husband Marlamin (Bradley Cooper). Though they have parted ways, he wishes his ex-wife well, acknowledging the complexity of their tumultuous relationship.

As the team ventures into the eerie graveyard, where the echoes of ancient battles lingered, they are met with an unprecedented phenomenon. With Simon's mystifying powers, the restless corpses begin to stir, their voices whispering secrets for up to five queries. The companions embark on a macabre odyssey, probing the memories of the fallen warriors in search of clues about the whereabouts of the enigmatic Helmet of Disjunction. Each corpse yields a fragment of information, slowly unraveling the mystery as they navigate through the graveyard's hallowed grounds.

Their journey ultimately leads them to the grave of the last warrior who possessed the Helmet. The whispers cease, replaced by the solemn tale of Xenk Yendar (Rege-Jean Page), a Thayan paladin renowned for his unwavering dedication to justice. Simon and Doric have heard tales of his exploits, while Holga corroborates his heroics with personal knowledge. Despite Edgin's wariness of the Thayans, who had claimed Zia's life, the team decides to seek out Xenk's assistance in their quest to vanquish Forge.

Their path converges with Xenk's when he rescues a tiger child from a sea creature that has swallowed it whole. Witnessing his heroics firsthand, they approach him afterward to request his aid in dismantling Forge's malevolent forces. Xenk agrees, but only after Edgin consents to redistribute Forge's ill-gotten gains among the people of Neverwinter.

As they journey together toward the Helmet, Xenk shares the dark history of the Red Wizards, detailing Szass Tam's insidious plan to raise an undead army by enslaving the land's inhabitants. Xenk ponders aloud about the potential benefits Forge might derive from allying with the Red Wizards, prompting him to reconsider his involvement.

Upon reaching the Orifice, a hidden gateway to the underground city where the Helmet lies, Xenk recounts his harrowing experiences with the unholy power of Szass Tam. He speaks of how it corrupts even the most well-intentioned individuals, turning them into slaves to evil. This dark history has driven him away from the Red Wizards' path, and he now uses his skills for the greater good.

A subtle scar on Xenk's forehead serves as a constant reminder of his narrow escape from the Red Wizards' grasp. He leads the companions down into the Orifice, where they must navigate treacherous terrain and cross a seemingly insurmountable chasm. However, Simon unwittingly triggers a mechanism that causes the precarious bridge to collapse, leaving them on the brink of disaster.

Fortunately, Holga's unassuming cane-like staff, revealed to be a Hither-Thither Staff, allows them to create portals and traverse the chasm safely, a testament to the unexpected twists and turns that await those who venture into the unknown.

As the group arrives at the ancient structure known as the Helmet, they are suddenly beset by Thayans - an undead horde that refuses to yield to Xenk's valiant efforts. The relentless pursuit culminates in a harrowing encounter with the gargantuan dragon, Themberchaud, who devours the Thayans and gives chase to our heroes. Edgin narrowly escapes becoming Themberchaud's next meal, thanks only to Xenk's swift intervention - a dagger thrust into the dragon's skull that sends it reeling. However, this reprieve proves short-lived, as Themberchaud traps them in a cavern that rapidly fills with water, threatening their very survival. Edgin's quick thinking and Holga's boldness prove the key to escape, as they devise a plan to provoke the beast and then utilize Simon's magical prowess to blast a hole in the cavern, allowing them to swim to safety.

Upon reaching dry land, Xenk bids his companions farewell, returning home after their arduous journey. Meanwhile, Simon attempts to connect with the powerful Helmet, only to be met with resistance from its ancient energies, embodied by Elminster Aumar - his wise and skeptical ancestor. Despite hours of effort, Simon remains unable to attune himself with the Helmet's might, leaving him feeling disheartened and defeated. As morale plummets, Edgin endeavors to rally his companions, sharing the painful truth that his own recklessness had inadvertently led to Zia's tragic demise. The weight of this confession serves as a catalyst for the group to regroup and devise a new plan - one that relies on Edgin's cunning and the Staff's mysterious abilities to breach the formidable vaults of Forge.

As they prepare to infiltrate the Highsun Games, the team utilizes a treacherous portal to gain access to Neverwinter. However, their initial success is short-circuited when the portrait used to open the gateway falls facedown, blocking their return path. Undeterred, Edgin improvises a plan, and Simon employs a brief illusion of Edgin's musical prowess to distract the guards, but this ruse quickly turns awry as Simon becomes stuck. Amidst chaos, Holga takes up arms against the guards, while Simon redoubles his efforts to attune with the Helmet. When Elminster reappears, Simon's frustration boils over, and he unleashes a fierce punch that shatters the ancient sage's resistance - finally allowing him to tap into the Helmet's boundless power. With this newfound magic at his command, Simon plays a crucial role in fending off the guards and securing their escape from Forge's treacherous vaults.

As Simon (Simon) and Holga (Holga) stumble upon the seemingly empty vault, their triumphant discovery is short-lived, as it becomes clear that Forge has cunningly relocated his treasure elsewhere. The team, now joined by Doric (Doric), finds themselves incapacitated and captured by Forge's henchmen. Meanwhile, Edgin falls prey to Sofina's (Sofina) clever disguise as Kira (Kira). When Forge arrives on the scene, he intends to lock away his captives, but Edgin proposes a tantalizing alternative: allowing them to participate in the Games, an idea that Sofina surprisingly agrees to - with the caveat that they might meet their demise there. As the team is released into the coliseum, Doric whispers to her comrades about witnessing the guards transporting Forge's riches onto a vessel, revealing his true intentions: pilfering wealth from other attendees.

The games begin, and the heroes find themselves navigating a treacherous labyrinth filled with deadly creatures and traps, including the notorious gelatinous cube. While their fellow competitors meet an untimely demise, Doric concocts a plan to teleport her friends out of the maze. With their escape secured, the team makes its way to the dock, where they discover Forge's treasure and the riches he had stolen from others. As Kira is brought before them, Forge attempts to manipulate her by feigning Edgin's abandonment - but after Edgin explains himself, Forge reveals his true colors to Kira by menacing her with a knife. Just as it seems like all hope is lost, Holga (Holga) takes matters into her own hands and hurls a potato at Forge's face, momentarily distracting him and allowing Kira to break free. Reunited with her father and friends, Kira joins them on the boat, where they reclaim their stolen riches. As the heroes set sail, Simon unleashes a powerful spell, sending a wave crashing down upon Forge, who is left defeated and humiliated. In the aftermath, Kira forgives Edgin, and the group shares a moment of reconciliation as they sail away with their hard-earned spoils.

As the heroes' vessel sets sail on the horizon, a foreboding dark cloud gathers in the sky, signaling Sofina's nefarious plan to unfold. Her scheme, hatched around the stolen Thayan horn, aims to enslave every attendee of the Games under her Red Wizard army's banner. Undeterred by this threat, the team makes haste for Neverwinter, determined to thwart Sofina's sinister intentions. Upon their return, Simon masterfully conjures a portal between the boat and the hot air balloon, unleashing a torrent of riches upon the streets below, thereby foiling Sofina's plan to ensnare the city's inhabitants.

However, this triumph is short-lived as Sofina manages to ensnare key members of Neverwinter's council. In response, the heroes launch a counterattack, bombarding Sofina with relentless assaults while she attempts to outmaneuver them using her cunning and dark magic. Just when it seems that Sofina has gained the upper hand, Kira cleverly employs a medallion, rendering herself invisible long enough for the team to secure a magic-suppressing cuff around Sofina's wrist. Simon expertly counters her time-freezing spell, leaving Sofina vulnerable to Doric's ferocious owl-bear form, which pummels and ultimately crushes her.

As the dust settles on their victory, the heroes are met with tragic news: Holga, a cherished ally, has fallen in battle. Kira mourns her loss, while Edgin comes to realize that Holga was essentially the closest thing to a mother figure for Kira during her formative years. Moved by this revelation, Edgin decides to use the Tablet of Reawakening to revive Holga. The team joins forces with Neverwinter's citizens to celebrate their shared triumph and newfound sense of family.

Meanwhile, Forge attempts to flee but is captured by Xenk, foiling his escape bid. Lord Neverember, once Sofina's dark influence wanes, re-emerges to bestow medals upon the heroes for their bravery in saving the city. Forge, imprisoned, pleads for a pardon by sharing his own poignant backstory but finds himself met with indifference from the Council. Undeterred, he seeks out Jarnathan and attempts to fly away once more, only to be thwarted when the Council relocates the meeting to a windowless room, leaving him no choice but to charge headlong into an awaiting wall.

As the credits roll on, a morbid curiosity lingers as the audience is treated to a surreal and somber moment. Amidst the solemnity of death's aftermath, one lone survivor, his lifeless body now nothing more than a shell of its former self, stirs and beseeches anyone within earshot to pose questions, imploring them to awaken him from his eternal slumber, as if mere conversation could resurrect him from the cold, unforgiving grasp of mortality.