🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joe Lynch
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (22k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Nerdy LARPers accidentally summon a demon, proving once and for all that foam swords are no match for hellfire (but still kinda fun to watch them try).
🍿 Knights of Badassdom: Detailed Plot Synopsis
LARPing Intervention
Joe, recently dumped and heartbroken, is forcibly recruited by his LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) buddies, Eric and Hung, to participate in a weekend-long medieval role-playing event. Joe reluctantly agrees, hoping to escape his misery.

Accidental Summons
Eric, in his quest for authentic props, acquires a seemingly harmless spellbook from eBay. During a mock incantation, he unknowingly summons a succubus, a powerful demon, into the real world. Chaos ensues as the LARPers realize the game has turned deadly.

Fighting for Survival
As the succubus begins to wreak havoc, killing LARPers and stealing their souls, Joe, Gwen (a reluctant participant), Eric, and Hung must band together. They use their LARPing knowledge, skills, and whatever weapons they can find to fight the demonic entity and save themselves.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Joe (Ryan Kwanten): A recently dumped doom metal singer reluctantly drawn into a LARP, who becomes the unlikely hero when a demon is summoned.
- Eric (Steve Zahn): An enthusiastic LARPer and 27-level Grand Sorcerer who accidentally summons a succubus.
- Hung (Peter Dinklage): A wealthy and experienced LARPer, known as a medieval Master Rogue, who is always up for a good time (and drugs).
- Gwen (Summer Glau): A beautiful and capable woman who accompanies her cousin to the LARP and becomes a skilled warrior against the demon.
- Beth (Margarita Levieva): Joe’s ex-girlfriend who is the source of his heartbreak and later becomes the demonic succubus.
- Randy (W. Earl Brown): A rough redneck who hates the LARPers.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Eric: “And Guinevere the fearless, who’s plus-three ass of perfection should keep the memory of she who should not be mentioned at bay.” – Eric humorously describes Gwen’s character during their LARP session, attempting to replace Joe’s ex-girlfriend in his mind.
- Gwen: “Plus-three? Clearly you underestimate my endowments.” – Gwen playfully responds to Eric’s description of her character, showing her willingness to engage in the LARP fun.
- Hung: “‘Tis not the size of the young knave’s blade, but the lust in his thrust by which legends are made!” – Hung says this while high on magic mushrooms, and trying to psyche up Joe to take on the Succubus Demon from hell.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $5,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $123,854
- Worldwide Gross: $123,854
💥 Knights of Badassdom Reviews
Personal Review
As a longtime D&D player, this movie was a blast for me. I loved the inside jokes, the ridiculous costumes, and the over-the-top performances. Seeing Peter Dinklage as a metalhead LARPer was worth the price of admission alone. The special effects are cheesy, but that just adds to the charm. Sure, the plot is thin, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? I even watched it a second time with a group of friends and it was a blast.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and other RPGs”
- “People who enjoy horror comedies”
- “Viewers looking for a lighthearted and silly movie”
- “Fans of Peter Dinklage, Summer Glau, and Steve Zahn”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Gore and violence”
- “Strong language”
- “Suggestive themes”
- “Drug use”
Professional Reviews
- JoBlo.com: “Knights of Badassdom doesn’t always hit the mark, but its quirky charm and dedication to its geeky premise make it a worthwhile watch for fans of D&D and LARPing culture. The cast delivers committed performances, even when the plot veers into absurdity.
- Variety: “While the premise of Knights of Badassdom is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. The humor is uneven, and the special effects are often laughable. However, the film’s energy and the commitment of the cast prevent it from being a complete disaster.
- IMDB User Review: “This movie is a lot of fun if you’re in the target audience – people who understand geek culture. All actors put in great performances and really commited to making this film enjoyable. Don’t expect great CGI, just great silliness.
Audience Reactions
Fans loved Peter Dinklage’s performance as the eccentric, drug-loving, metal-head LARPer.: Viewers found the movie hilarious, especially if they were familiar with LARPing culture.
Summer Glau was praised for her performance and her beauty in the movie.: The mix of comedy and horror kept the audience engaged.
Overall Consensus: A low-budget comedy that resonates strongly with fans of LARPing and geek culture, offering plenty of laughs and memorable moments despite its shortcomings.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The main cast participated in Live Action Role Playing sessions before filming to prepare for their roles.”
- “Peter Dinklage was reportedly the most successful LARPer among the cast during these training sessions.”
🖥️ How to Watch Knights of Badassdom?
Knights of Badassdom is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Knights of Badassdom, you might like these similar films:
- Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010): Similar blend of horror and comedy, with ordinary people facing unexpected and gory situations.
- Role Models (2008): Features adults engaging in unconventional activities and finding humor in otherwise serious situations.
- Army of Darkness (1992): Classic horror-comedy where a regular guy is thrust into a medieval setting and battles supernatural forces.
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023): A newer fantasy adventure comedy with a focus on a group of misfits and their D&D-esque quest.
- Gamers: Dorkness Rising (2008): A cult classic about the humour and passion of role-playing games, that would appeal to fans.
🛒 Knights of Badassdom Related Products
- Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook (Core Rulebook): The essential guide for D&D players, featuring rules, character creation, and spells. Perfect for inspiring your own tabletop adventures and LARP characters.
- Foam Medieval Sword: A high-quality foam sword for LARPing, cosplay, or display. Durable and safe for mock battles, it’s the perfect accessory for any aspiring knight.
- Fake Book of Spells: A decorative fake book of spells prop for LARP.
- Knights of Badassdom [Blu-ray]: Enjoy the movie in high definition.
🎧 Soundtrack
Knights of Badassdom features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Into the Abyss” – performed by Brendan McCreary
- “Dragonforce” – performed by Through the Fire and Flames
- “Manowar” – performed by Warriors of the World United
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Knights of Badassdom was primarily filmed in Spokane, Washington, USA. The forests and landscapes around Spokane served as the backdrop for the LARP event.
Knights of Badassdom is a blend of comedy, horror, and fantasy. While it features humorous elements and pokes fun at LARPing culture, it also incorporates horror elements like demonic possession and gore.
LARPing stands for Live Action Role-Playing. It’s a type of interactive game where participants physically act out their characters’ actions, often involving costumes, foam weapons, and scenarios inspired by fantasy or other genres.
🔥 Bonus Content
Knights of Badassdom Ogre Transformation
Remember that wild ogre transformation in Knights of Badassdom? This clip gives you a front-row seat to all the mayhem! Personally, I thought the buildup was way better than the actual transformation, but check it out and tell me what you think!
Nerds Manage To Summon A Succubus They Simp To Death For
Need a quick refresher on the plot of Knights of Badassdom? This recap video has got you covered! It’s a fun and concise summary, perfect if you’re trying to convince a friend to watch it. You’ll laugh for sure, and the whole summoning a succubus thing is pretty hilarious too!
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