Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke return with the second installment of their self-described "lesbian B-movie trilogy," and the result is Honey Don't!—a sun-baked, unapologetically queer ride through the seedy underbelly of Bakersfield, California. Drifting away from the zany energy of Drive-Away Dolls, this film settles into a moodier, grittier groove. It serves as a stylish Mystery wrapped in the guise of a dark Comedy, evoking the spirit of classic pulp fiction with a modern, satirical twist.
The film introduces us to Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), a private investigator who looks like she stepped out of a 1950s paperback cover, investigating a suspicious death linked to a cult-like church. My overall impression is that while the narrative is undeniably messy—a "shaggy dog" story in the truest Coen tradition—the film is elevated by a magnetic central performance and a distinct, sweaty atmosphere that is hard to resist.
Story and Screenplay
The screenplay, penned by Coen and Cooke, is less interested in a tight police procedural and more focused on eccentric character dynamics. The plot kicks off with a car crash, a dead girl, and a stolen ring, eventually leading Honey to the Four-Way Temple, run by the charismatic and sleazy Reverend Drew Devlin (Chris Evans).
As a Thriller, the stakes are technically high—people get shot, stabbed, and threatened—but the narrative logic is often loose and dreamlike. The investigation takes a backseat to the vibes, moving from one oddball encounter to another. While the dialogue retains some of that signature Coen snap, the humor is dryer and more deadpan here, eliciting knowing smiles rather than belly laughs. The script shines brightest when it embraces the absurdity of its world, even if the actual mystery resolution feels like an afterthought compared to the journey itself.
Acting and Characters
Margaret Qualley is the absolute engine of this film. She commands the screen with a performance that is equal parts hard-boiled detective and vulnerable outcast. Dressed in high heels and cherry-red lipstick, she plays Honey with a deadpan coolness that anchors the film's chaotic energy. It is a star turn that proves she can carry a genre film with effortless panache.
Chris Evans is having a ball playing against type as the villainous Reverend Drew. He leans fully into the role of a sex-crazed, drug-dealing creep, chewing the scenery with delightful abandon. Aubrey Plaza brings her trademark intensity to the role of MG Falcone, a cop who becomes Honey’s lover, sharing a chemistry with Qualley that is both sexy and surprisingly tender. Charlie Day adds a layer of pathetic humor as a clueless detective pining for Honey, rounding out a cast that understands exactly what kind of B-movie they are inhabiting.
Direction and Technical Aspect
Ethan Coen’s direction is stylish and deliberate. The film embraces a "neo-Western" aesthetic, capturing the sun-drenched, dilapidated beauty of Bakersfield. The opening credits alone—hidden cleverly within the signage of the city streets—set a creative tone immediately.
Visually, the film is a treat. The costumes by Peggy Schnitzer are vibrant and character-defining, popping against the dusty backgrounds. Coen and Cooke are not afraid to lean into the lurid aspects of the genre, balancing moments of violence with a cool, detached observational style. While the pacing can sometimes drag as the plot meanders, the visual flair ensures there is always something interesting to look at.
Trailer Honey Don't! (2025)
Soundtrack and Atmosphere
The atmosphere of Honey Don't! is thick with heat, desperation, and stale cigarette smoke. It captures a specific feeling of "small-town ennui" where everyone knows everyone’s dirty laundry.
The soundtrack complements this perfectly, utilizing tracks like "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" to underscore the characters' resignation to their environment. The sound design emphasizes the grittiness of the setting—the hum of neon lights, the crunch of gravel—creating a tactile world that feels lived-in and exhausted. It’s a mood piece through and through.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Margaret Qualley: A captivating, cool-as-ice performance that defines the movie.
- Chris Evans: Hilariously sleazy and memorable as the antagonist.
- Visual Style: Great use of location, color, and costume design to create a unique noir world.
- Queer Representation: Unapologetic and casual in its depiction of relationships.
- Loose Plot: The mystery itself is forgettable and lacks narrative urgency.
- Hit-or-Miss Humor: The dry, dark comedy doesn't always land.
- Pacing: The middle section can feel like it's spinning its wheels.
Final Verdict
Honey Don't! is a flawed but undeniably fun exercise in style. It operates best if you stop trying to solve the Mystery and simply let yourself hang out with its gallery of rogues and misfits.
While it may not reach the heights of the Coen Brothers' masterpieces, it carves out its own niche as a sexy, sweaty, queer neo-noir. Anchored by a powerhouse performance from Margaret Qualley, it is a diverting B-movie throwback that warrants a watch for fans of the genre. Read the full analysis of this offbeat Comedy in this Movie Review. It stands out as a unique flavor among 2025 Films.
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
 Movie Review: Margaret Qualley Sizzles in Ethan Coen’s Stylish, Shaggy Neo-Noir){kind=link}
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