Critics Have Seen Honey Don’t!, And They Have Mixed Feelings About Ethan Coen’s ‘Gory, Unapologetically Sexual’ Neo-Noir Comedy

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Known for collaborations with his brother Joel on films such as “The Big Lebowski” and “No Country for Old Men”, Ethan Coen ventured out on his own last year to direct “Drive-Away Dolls”. This year, he’s back with a new project, slated for release on August 22, 2025. Margaret Qualley reprises her role in the dark comedy “Honey Don’t!”, which is the second installment of a trilogy of lesbian B-movies from Coen. Critics have already viewed the film and appear to be somewhat divided regarding Ethan’s standalone work.

In this separate film from Ethan Coen and his spouse Tricia Cooke, Margaret Qualley shines alongside Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans. Qualley’s character, Honey O’Donahue, a private investigator, is particularly praised by David Fear of Rolling Stone. He notes that her performance at Cannes was truly remarkable and she is undoubtedly the film’s standout aspect, as he goes on to say that she delivers an exceptional acting job.

“Her performance carries the movie through many bumps and wrong turns seamlessly.”

“Honey represents a well-known character type often found in pulp fiction, shaped over decades of classic novels, worn paperbacks, and B-movies. Typically, these ‘knight in shining armor’ types are male and heterosexual. However, the concept of a lesbian detective navigating a case filled with deceit and bodies isn’t groundbreaking in 2025, but O’Donoghue remains an exception.”

(The paraphrased sentences maintain the original meaning while using more straightforward language and avoiding unnecessary jargon.)

Jesse Hassenger from Paste gives the movie a 7.0 score out of 10, commenting that although Honey Don’t! doesn’t fully develop into a mystery, it has a strong resemblance to a script penned by the Coen Brothers. Margaret Qualley’s convincing portrayal of Honey makes this film an engaging choice for a delightful trip to the cinema. Furthermore, the critic adds that the movie maintains its appeal as an entertaining option.

Revisiting Honey Don’t! might prove challenging for some viewers who are accustomed to the fast-paced style of Coen Brothers’ films like The Hudsucker Proxy or Miller’s Crossing. They may expect a similar level of intrigue and unpredictability, much like in Dolls. However, Honey Don’t! is less frenetic and offers a more straightforward approach, albeit with an explicit sexual tone that could be even more pronounced than in Dolls.

But if we put aside preconceived notions, Honey Don’t! turns out to be an enjoyable watch. It subtly challenges expectations by blending character development with absurd situations, making for a delightful and somewhat rebellious evening at the cinema.

According to Fred Topel from UPI, the movie offers a delightful blend of lightheartedness and sensuality. However, he notes that certain elements seem familiar and don’t quite match up to any of the Coen Brothers’ previous work. In Topel’s opinion, while enjoyable, it doesn’t exceed anything previously created by Ethan Coen.

The storyline is complex and revolves around a botched drug deal, leading to several unforeseen deaths involving unusual objects in a manner reminiscent of the Coen brothers’ style. Although it’s engaging, the film may feel repetitive due to similar elements seen in previous works like Fargo and No Country for Old Men, particularly the wood chipper and cattle gun. While the resolution is somewhat predictable, the movie manages to maintain interest throughout its 90-minute runtime, but some might view it as a collection of secondary Coen brother projects.

Lindsey Bahr of the AP rates Honey Don’t! with 3 out of 4 stars, indicating that while it may be somewhat inconsequential (and perhaps intentionally so), it remains enjoyable and highly engaging. This is largely due to Margaret Qualley’s performance, according to Bahr, as she masterfully blends elements of Philip Marlowe and Veronica Mars, infusing the character with a touch of red lipstick, high heels, and silks. The critic further notes that this combination results in a captivating and entertaining film experience.

Title “Honey Don’t” could potentially function better as a pilot episode for a TV series rather than a standalone film, but it represents an improvement over the duo Coen and Cooke’s previous work, “Drive Away Dolls.” In retrospect, “Drive Away Dolls” appeared to be pieced together from comedic elements that were already stale 20 years ago. However, while this new script, penned by the same duo, might share the same vintage quality in terms of its technical aspects, it seems more enduring.

The film “Honey Don’t” is characterized by its graphic violence, frankly sexual content, quick-witted dialogue, and a somber atmosphere. Additionally, it runs for less than 90 minutes – they knew exactly when to wrap things up.

Todd Gilchrist from ScreenRant holds a somewhat moderate view, giving the film a score of 6 out of 10, recognizing Ethan Coen venturing solo to forge his own path. However, he finds that an excessive number of deaths and a storyline overly seasoned detract from what could have been a delightful mystery. Gilchrist further adds:

1. “Todd Gilchrist of ScreenRant shares a common sentiment with many critics, assigning the film a score of 6 out of 10, commending Ethan Coen for striking out on his own.”
2. “According to Todd Gilchrist at ScreenRant, who agrees with several critics, the film earns a score of 6 out of 10, praising Ethan Coen’s decision to work independently.”
3. “Todd Gilchrist from ScreenRant, in agreement with numerous reviewers, evaluates the movie with a score of 6 out of 10, applauding Ethan Coen for setting off on his own creative journey.”
4. “As Todd Gilchrist of ScreenRant concurs with many critics, he rates the film 6 out of 10, lauding Ethan Coen’s endeavor to chart his unique course.”
5. “In the same vein as other reviewers, Todd Gilchrist at ScreenRant gives the film a score of 6 out of 10, acknowledging Ethan Coen’s bold step to tread a new path.”

Despite boasting a screenplay brimming with powerful female characters and intriguing small-town mystery elements, Honey Don’t! seems to revisit themes previously explored more effectively by the Coen Brothers in their collaborative works. This raises questions about whether the film truly embodies the neo-noir genre or if it is merely an imitation of the unique style that the Coens have developed over nearly three decades. Regardless, it falls short of matching the standards set by their previous films.

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2025-08-22 20:33