Honey Don't Synopsis:
The movie features Margaret Qualley as Honey O'Donahue, a sharp, no-nonsense private investigator in Bakersfield, California. She discovers a string of strange murders tied to Reverend Drew, played by Chris Evans, and his mysterious church. While Honey looks into the case, she develops a romantic connection with police officer MG, played by Aubrey Plaza, all while also dealing with a missing niece and a suspicious car crash.
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release Date: In theaters August 22nd, 2025
Honey Don't Fun Facts:
Part of a Trilogy:
Honey Don't! is the follow-up movie in the series that director Ethan Coen and co-writer Tricia Cooke refer to as their "lesbian B-movie trilogy." The initial film was 2024's Drive-Away Dolls, and there are plans for a third installment titled Go Beavers.
A "Non-Traditional" Collaboration:
The movie is written and edited together by the husband-and-wife team of Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. Cooke, who is openly lesbian and bisexual, and Coen, who is straight, have referred to their relationship as "non-traditional," as both have partners outside their marriage. This special arrangement is said to have an impact on their creative work.
Returning Cast:
Margaret Qualley, featuring in the initial movie of the trilogy, Drive-Away Dolls, reprises her role in Honey Don't! as the main character, Honey O'Donahue.
Sleazy Roles:
Chris Evans takes on an unexpected character as Reverend Drew, a charming yet sleazy church leader. This is quite different from his usual heroic roles!
Filmed in California:
The movie is filmed in Bakersfield, California, which aims to capture classic contemporary Western themes mixed with the elements of dark comedy.
Source: youtube
Honey Don't Review:
Ethan Coen's new film, Honey Don't!, comes as a vibrant, colorful theme that mixes familiar elements with unusual twists. This movie continues from his earlier work with co-writer Tricia Cooke on Drive-Away Dolls and emphasizes their unique "lesbian B-movie trilogy" style, presenting a fashionable yet chaotic journey through a shady town in California.
At the center of the narrative is Honey O'Donahue (Margaret Qualley), a private investigator known for her stylish heels and serious attitude. When a potential client is found dead in a strange car accident, Honey gets caught in a web of unusual mysteries connected to a nearby church and its charming yet shady leader, Reverend Drew Devlin (Chris Evans). Qualley brings the character to life with a calm confidence, playing the weary investigator with a seasoned charm that grounds the film's more outrageous scenes.
The greatest strength of the movie is its lively group of characters. Featuring Aubrey Plaza as a seductive, reserved cop, while Charlie Day takes on the role of a detective who is completely out of his depth. The comedy is edgy, the violence comes unexpectedly and is shown in a unique way, and the conversations have a special, rhythmic silliness that fans who enjoy Coen's movies will recognize and appreciate.
Although it is evident that the movie prioritizes mood and character over a well-structured storyline, certain parts of the plot seem lacking in depth. Honey's investigations often progress more through by chance rather than her own sharp reasoning, and the surprising revelations of the mystery can become overshadowed by the movie's various side stories. This method of approach might seem a bit too wandering for some viewers who are looking for a fulfilling and neat conclusion.
Ultimately, Honey Don't! is more focused on the quirky and fun journey rather than the final destination. It is a lively, amusing, and openly queer comedy that shows Ethan Coen is creating an interesting new direction for himself. It is a strong and enjoyable movie that indicates his career is on the right path and the type of movies he enjoys making.