A small-town private investigator delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.A small-town private investigator delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.A small-town private investigator delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.
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First, I'll start with what I liked. The title cards, while lengthy was cleverly filmed and incorporated into the city's skyline.
The acting itself was also good those who are aloof remained aloof. Everyone remained in character throughout.
Now for a bit a negativity. While some nude scenes, I would argue, do push the story forward, the other half are gratuitous and didn't really help with the story line.
The ending however might not be everyone's cup of tea. Without giving away too much of the film I'll say that in retrospect too many movies end the movie with on a closed loop, so in that sense it's refreshing.
The acting itself was also good those who are aloof remained aloof. Everyone remained in character throughout.
Now for a bit a negativity. While some nude scenes, I would argue, do push the story forward, the other half are gratuitous and didn't really help with the story line.
The ending however might not be everyone's cup of tea. Without giving away too much of the film I'll say that in retrospect too many movies end the movie with on a closed loop, so in that sense it's refreshing.
Honey Don't (2025) is a neo-noir dark comedy detective movie written and directed by Ethan Coen of the Coen Brothers, it is the second entry in the lesbian B-movie trilogy and it tells the story of a private investigator searching for the killer of several murders that could be tied to a religious church. This was a movie I was excited for since I'm a massive fan of the Coen Brothers, but it is sad for me to say this movie was just okay.
Positives for Honey Don't (2025): The movie does have an interesting premise of this young private investigator searching for the killer while also having to deal with a detective who refuses to believe that she is a lesbian. Margaret Qualley does a great job as Honey O'Donahue and she is one of the reason to watch this movie. I did enjoy the the supporting cast with Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day, Kristen Connolly, Billy Eichner, Gabby Beans and Talia Ryder. The main murder mystery is interesting at first with its ties to this church headed by Chris Evans. You still get that Coen western vibe that Ethan and his brother Joel have done very well together. And finally, there are some good action sequences that are decently bloody and I liked it.
Negatives for Honey Don't (2025): This movie barely has a story to tell to its audience. The movie feels like a series of events happening in order, but none of it lands right. The movie is too short to tell a story and it felt like Ethan Coen just wanted to make a lesbian movie without the story. And finally, Charlie Day got on my nerves as he refuses to accept that Margaret Qualley is a lesbian and I wanted to knock him out.
Overall, Honey Don't is a serviceable enough detective movie with a great cast, but it falls short of what Ethan Coen is known for doing when he is at his best.
Positives for Honey Don't (2025): The movie does have an interesting premise of this young private investigator searching for the killer while also having to deal with a detective who refuses to believe that she is a lesbian. Margaret Qualley does a great job as Honey O'Donahue and she is one of the reason to watch this movie. I did enjoy the the supporting cast with Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day, Kristen Connolly, Billy Eichner, Gabby Beans and Talia Ryder. The main murder mystery is interesting at first with its ties to this church headed by Chris Evans. You still get that Coen western vibe that Ethan and his brother Joel have done very well together. And finally, there are some good action sequences that are decently bloody and I liked it.
Negatives for Honey Don't (2025): This movie barely has a story to tell to its audience. The movie feels like a series of events happening in order, but none of it lands right. The movie is too short to tell a story and it felt like Ethan Coen just wanted to make a lesbian movie without the story. And finally, Charlie Day got on my nerves as he refuses to accept that Margaret Qualley is a lesbian and I wanted to knock him out.
Overall, Honey Don't is a serviceable enough detective movie with a great cast, but it falls short of what Ethan Coen is known for doing when he is at his best.
I was eagerly anticipating this film. Finally saw it yesterday and almost walked out to demand a refund. It was a snooze fest, literally. I dosed off several times. The number of empty seats in the theatre was an indication of what I should have expected. Frankly, they should have just made it a porn flick instead of whatever this is. Don't bother seeing this. It's awful.
"Honey Don't!" exemplifies the frustrating phenomenon of wasted potential. What begins as a promising neo-noir with Margaret Qualley delivering a genuinely engaging performance as hard-boiled private eye Honey O'Donahue quickly dissolves into narrative incoherence that would make even the most patient viewer check their watch.
Ethan Coen's direction starts strong, establishing an intriguing mystery around church-connected deaths in small-town California. The early scenes crackle with the kind of sharp dialogue and atmospheric tension you'd expect from a Coen production. Qualley, Plaza, and Evans all commit fully to their roles, bringing genuine chemistry and wit to their interactions.
But somewhere around the half hour mark, the film completely loses its way. Plot threads multiply without resolution, the comedy becomes increasingly forced, and the central mystery devolves into confusing nonsense. By the third act, you're left wondering if Coen forgot what story he was trying to tell.
The film's "lesbian B-movie" concept had real potential, but execution matters more than concepts. "Honey Don't!" proves that even talented actors can't salvage a script that abandons its own premise.
Ethan Coen's direction starts strong, establishing an intriguing mystery around church-connected deaths in small-town California. The early scenes crackle with the kind of sharp dialogue and atmospheric tension you'd expect from a Coen production. Qualley, Plaza, and Evans all commit fully to their roles, bringing genuine chemistry and wit to their interactions.
But somewhere around the half hour mark, the film completely loses its way. Plot threads multiply without resolution, the comedy becomes increasingly forced, and the central mystery devolves into confusing nonsense. By the third act, you're left wondering if Coen forgot what story he was trying to tell.
The film's "lesbian B-movie" concept had real potential, but execution matters more than concepts. "Honey Don't!" proves that even talented actors can't salvage a script that abandons its own premise.
L would have traded some of the sex for some plot development. I wanted to care but couldn't. Some funny moments. Life in a trailer home, The wicked pastor. But what was the movie about? I don't know. Great scenery as our leading lady cruises around the starkness of the city that could be anywhere USA.
The movie had all the ingredients but came out as dull as grandma's green jello.
The movie had all the ingredients but came out as dull as grandma's green jello.
Soundtrack
Preview the soundtrack here and continue listening on Amazon Music.
Did you know
- GoofsChère rides her scooter into traffic while Honey watches. All cars on the street change between shots, and a man by a parked red truck also vanishes.
- Quotes
Honey O'Donahue: Sorry, I think I left some lipstick down there.
MG Falcone: It's okay, that's the only place I ever wear it.
- SoundtracksWe Gotta Get Out of This Place
Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
Published by Dyad Music Ltd (BMI)/Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc (BMI)
Produced by Jack Antonoff
Performed by Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard appears courtesy of Island Records
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Гані, люба, не треба!
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,810,510
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,025,525
- Aug 24, 2025
- Gross worldwide
- $7,468,292
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
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