Ethan Coen’s Neo-Noir 'Honey Don’t!' Releases Featuring Margaret Qualley

The neo-noir film "Honey Don’t!" directed by Ethan Coen and edited by Tricia Cooke, stars Margaret Qualley as Honey O’Donahue, a no-nonsense lesbian private investigator navigating a quirky, crime-ridden Bakersfield, California. Qualley’s portrayal has drawn mixed reviews, with some critics praising her confident and cool performance and others finding her miscast and unable to balance the film's comedic and dramatic tones. The movie features a colorful cast of eccentric characters, including Charlie Day as a dim-witted cop and Chris Evans as a charismatic yet corrupt religious cult leader, adding to the film's dark humor and offbeat atmosphere. Aubrey Plaza appears in a limited role as a policewoman romantically involved with Honey. Despite its promising elements and moments of wit, critics note the film struggles with coherence and tonal consistency, resulting in a movie that is more watchable than substantial. The film is the second installment in Coen and Cooke's planned "lesbian B-movie trilogy," blending neo-noir style with modern social commentary.