[New Look] Chris Evans Shines in Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’ as a Cult Leader in a Dark Lesbian Detective Thriller
A fresh look at Chris Evans in the upcoming movie Honey Don’t! has just been released, giving fans a new glimpse of the 2025 neo-noir dark comedy directed by Ethan Coen. The film stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans, and is the second part of what Coen and co-writer Tricia Cooke call a “lesbian B-movie trilogy,” following their 2024 movie Drive-Away Dolls.
Honey Don’t! had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2025, as part of the Midnight Screenings. The audience gave the film a standing ovation, showing strong support despite mixed reactions from critics.
The movie is scheduled to be released in the U.S. and Canada on August 22, 2025, through Focus Features, with Universal Pictures managing the international release.
The story takes place in Bakersfield, California, where Margaret Qualley plays Honey O’Donahue, a private detective investigating a woman’s death. Her investigation brings her face-to-face with a religious cult led by Reverend Drew Devlin, a role played by Chris Evans. Aubrey Plaza joins the cast as MG Falcone, a police officer connected to the case. Other actors like Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and Kristen Connolly also appear in the film.
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
Reviews for Honey Don’t! have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 42% approval rating from 24 critics, while Metacritic rates it 46 out of 100, meaning critics’ opinions are average or mixed. Some praise the performances and the detailed world the movie builds, but many feel the film ends up as a collection of jokes without a clear direction. IndieWire said the movie is “a mishmash of disparate parts” and that it focused more on recreating the style of film noir than on telling a strong mystery.
Variety described the film as “a deliberate throwaway,” calling it a light, fun thriller meant to entertain without taking itself too seriously. Vulture, on the other hand, liked the “sexual swagger” of the story and praised the women’s performances, but also noted that the film could have been stronger overall.
Director Rebecca Miller and Ethan Coen spent several years working on Honey Don’t!, blending comedy, mystery, and neo-noir in a unique way. The movie explores themes like power and faith, all through the eyes of a tough female detective, giving a fresh spin to the genre.
This new look at Chris Evans adds excitement for the film’s release later this year. If you want to share your thoughts or have something to add, feel free to join the conversation in the comments.
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