Ethan Coen’s latest solo directorial outing, Honey Don’t!, is a daring and unconventional piece that both pays homage to classic noir traditions and gleefully upends them. With a standout lead performance by Margaret Qualley, a surprising turn by Chris Evans, and the steely presence of Aubrey Plaza, the film made waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a six-minute standing ovation.
A Small-Town Descent into Chaos: The Story in Brief
The film follows Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), an independent and strong-willed private investigator who begins looking into a series of strange deaths in a sleepy American town. Her investigation soon leads her into the local church community, where a charismatic yet suspicious preacher (Chris Evans) is at the center of it all.
As the story unfolds, the town’s dark secrets emerge, plunging the viewer deeper into a twisted world of religious fanaticism, manipulation, and human weakness. The plot unfolds non-linearly, using a fragmented narrative structure that heightens the sense of disorientation and unease.
Acting That Transcends Stereotypes
Margaret Qualley brings depth and nuance to Honey, portraying her as both vulnerable and tough, cynical yet idealistic. She’s more than a noir archetype—she’s a fully realized character who serves as both the film’s moral compass and its emotional anchor.
Chris Evans, far from his usual Marvel hero image, delivers a chilling performance as the preacher—a figure both magnetic and menacing. Aubrey Plaza, in contrast, provides a restrained yet powerful presence that balances the more flamboyant male characters.
Supporting players Billy Eichner and Charlie Day add absurdist humor without breaking the tone. Day’s hyperactive sacristan and Eichner’s paranoid small-town eccentric reflect the distorted mirror of the town’s decaying social fabric.
Visual Style and Atmosphere
Visually, Honey Don’t! is a bold reimagining of noir: stark contrasts, stylized lighting, smoky interiors, and deep shadows abound. Yet Coen doesn’t wallow in nostalgia—he modernizes the format with dynamic camerawork, rapid editing, and vibrant color contrasts that give the film a distinct contemporary edge.
The score by Carter Burwell is ironic and weighty in equal measure. Jazz, hymns, and unexpected musical motifs blend to heighten the film’s surreal atmosphere. At times, the sound design becomes almost another character—looming, judging, and narrating without words.
Satire as Social Commentary
Honey Don’t! goes beyond genre play. It confronts pressing societal themes—religious hypocrisy, rigid gender roles, and the internal tensions of small-town life. Coen doesn’t offer easy answers, but his critique is sharp and unflinching.
Watch the Honey Don’t! Trailer
The film also tackles issues of female autonomy, sexuality, and self-determination with boldness and empathy. Despite its absurdity, Honey Don’t! remains deeply human, never losing its emotional core or slipping into preachiness.
Summary: Honey Don’t! Film Review
Honey Don’t! is not a film that aims to please everyone—and that’s exactly what makes it remarkable. For viewers open to absurdism, cinematic references, and genre-bending storytelling, this film is a true gem. Margaret Qualley delivers yet another career-defining performance, and Ethan Coen proves once again that he can create lasting impact even when taking the road less traveled.
The film was produced by Focus Features and Working Title Films, and it is set to premiere in U.S. theaters on August 22, 2025.
