New Look At Chris Evans in Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’—A Lesbian Detective Takes on a Mysterious Church
A new look at Chris Evans in the upcoming film Honey Don’t! has been released, giving fans a fresh glimpse of the 2025 neo-noir dark comedy directed by Ethan Coen. The movie, which stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans, is the second part of what Coen and co-writer Tricia Cooke call a “lesbian B-movie trilogy,” following their 2024 film Drive-Away Dolls.
Honey Don’t! had its world premiere on May 24, 2025, during the Midnight Screenings section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film received a standing ovation from the audience, marking a warm reception despite mixed reviews from critics.
It is set for release in the United States and Canada on August 22, 2025, through Focus Features, with Universal Pictures handling international distribution.
The story is set in Bakersfield, California, where Honey O’Donahue, played by Margaret Qualley, is a female private detective investigating the death of a woman. Her work puts her on a collision course with a religious cult led by Reverend Drew Devlin, portrayed by Chris Evans.
HONEY DON'T! Starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, and Chris Evans. A new comedy from Ethan Coen. Only in theaters August 22! pic.twitter.com/odr5FBeIzm
— Honey Don't! (@HoneyDontFilm) May 7, 2025
Aubrey Plaza plays MG Falcone, a police officer involved in the case. The cast also includes Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and Kristen Connolly among others.
Reviews have been a mixed bag. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 42% approval rating based on 24 critic reviews, while Metacritic gives it a score of 46 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average” opinions. While the performances and the film’s “world-building” are praised, the movie ultimately feels like a series of gags with nowhere to go. On the other hand, IndieWire felt the film was a mishmash of disparate parts, expressing disappointment that it did not fully develop its mystery, instead focusing on recreating film noir aesthetics.
Variety called the movie a deliberate throwaway, designed as a light, escapist thriller meant to deliver a flaky good time. Meanwhile, Vulture enjoyed the sexual energy in the plot and the strong performances from the women, though they agreed the film had room for improvement.
Director Rebecca Miller and Ethan Coen took their time with Honey Don’t!, crafting a story that blends comedy, mystery, and neo-noir style. The film explores themes of power and faith through the lens of a female detective, delivering a quirky and unique take on the genre.
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