Ethan Coen is back with another dose of his signature dark humor, and the first trailer for Honey Don’t! proves it’s going to be a riot. Starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans, the neo-noir comedy follows a private eye tangling with a shady cult leader in small-town California. Focus Features dropped the trailer ahead of the film’s world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings, with a wide U.S. theatrical release set for August 22, 2025. Buckle up for a pulpy, queer-infused B-movie that’s as Coen as it gets.
Honey O’Donahue Takes on a Creepy Cult
Set in Bakersfield, California, Honey Don’t! centers on Honey O’Donahue (Qualley), a sharp, queer private investigator digging into a string of bizarre deaths linked to a mysterious church. The trailer teases her run-ins with Priest Dean (Evans), a sleazy, S&M-dabbling cult leader who’s equal parts charismatic and unhinged. Plaza plays a “mystery woman”—possibly a cop, per the trailer’s visuals—adding her deadpan flair to the mix. The vibe? Think Raising Arizona meets Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, with a lesbian B-movie twist.
The trailer, shared across X, is packed with Coen’s trademarks: snappy dialogue, gratuitous violence (a fork through a jaw, anyone?), and a retro soundtrack that pops. We see Qualley’s Honey outsmarting goons, Evans’ blood-smeared preacher in over his head, and Plaza’s enigmatic character stealing scenes. Charlie Day and Billy Eichner round out the cast, alongside Talia Ryder, Lera Abova, and Lena Hall, promising a parade of oddballs.
A Lesbian B-Movie Trilogy Continues
Honey Don’t! is the second chapter in Coen and co-writer Tricia Cooke’s planned “lesbian B-movie trilogy,” following 2024’s Drive-Away Dolls, which also starred Qualley. That film, a zany road-trip caper, earned mixed reviews but found a cult following for its campy, 84-minute chaos. Honey Don’t! leans harder into neo-noir, with Qualley describing Honey as “smooth” and “suave,” a far cry from her “Scooby-Doo” instincts. “I love Ethan and Tricia so damn much,” she told IndieWire, raving about their set and her “favorite” co-star Plaza.
Evans, post-Captain America, continues his streak of playing smarmy villains, from Knives Out’s Ransom to The Gray Man’s Lloyd Hansen. His Priest Dean looks like another deliciously arrogant antagonist. Plaza, fresh off Megalopolis and My Old Ass, brings her sardonic edge, while Day and Eichner add comedic heft.
From Cannes to Theaters
Coen, flying solo without brother Joel, wrote and directed Honey Don’t! with Cooke, his wife and longtime collaborator. The pair, who also produced alongside Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Robert Graf, wrapped filming in May 2024 in New Mexico after a March start. The film’s Cannes debut (May 13-24, 2025) in the Midnight Screenings section sets the stage for its August 22 release, pitting it against Lionsgate’s Americana and Vertical’s Eden. Universal Pictures International handles global distribution.
While Drive-Away Dolls flew under the radar, Honey Don’t!’s star power and Coen’s pedigree are generating buzz. X posts reflect excitement, though some fans wonder if it’ll top the first film’s “goofy charm.” Coen’s hinted at a Coen Brothers reunion with Joel, possibly a “very bloody horror film,” but for now, he’s thriving in this pulpy sandbox.
Why Honey Don’t! Is a Must-See
Honey Don’t! promises Coen’s biting wit, a stellar ensemble, and a queer-led story that’s both subversive and hilarious. The trailer’s mix of violence, humor, and retro flair has us hooked, and Qualley’s return as a Coen muse seals the deal. Catch it in theaters August 22, or stream Drive-Away Dolls on Peacock to prep.
