Ethan Coen’s latest directorial venture, Honey Don’t!, made a boisterous debut at the Cannes Film Festival during a midnight screening that stretched into the early hours of the morning. Despite a delayed start at nearly 12:30 a.m., the audience responded with enthusiasm, culminating in a six-minute standing ovation.
Co-writer Tricia Cooke celebrated the moment by declaring, “More queer cinema all the time!” as the crowd cheered on the film’s stars and creators. Coen, taking the mic with his trademark dry wit, noted the short runtime as a considerate touch for such a late screening.
A Star-Studded Cast Shines in an Emotional, Darkly Comedic Detective Thriller
The premiere featured a vibrant showing from the cast, including Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, with Qualley’s husband Jack Antonoff encouraging applause from the audience. One emotional note of the night came with Plaza’s appearance, marking her return to the red carpet following the passing of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. Audience affection was palpable, with one fan even shouting “I love you Aubrey!” in support. Chris Evans, another star of the film, was notably absent, but his character’s impact was still widely felt.
Honey Don’t! follows the story of Honey O’Donahue, a smooth and mysterious small-town detective played by Qualley, who investigates a string of bizarre deaths linked to a shady church.
Chris Evans plays the charismatic but sinister minister at the heart of the mystery, while Plaza portrays a cop entangled in a passionate romance with Honey, which turns tense after her niece goes missing. Supporting roles by Charlie Day and Billy Eichner add comedic flavor to the darkly absurd plot.
Coen and Qualley Reunite for a Bold, Queer-Driven, Stylish Crime Comedy Adventure
This marks the second time Coen has worked with Qualley, following last year’s Drive-Away Dolls. Like its predecessor, Honey Don’t! is directed by Ethan without his brother Joel and co-written with his wife, Tricia Cooke. Their recent collaborations have leaned into quirky, female-driven crime stories with a distinctive tone that blends irreverent humor, stylized violence, and queer narratives, breaking new ground for Coen’s solo career.
With distribution secured by Focus Features, Honey Don’t! is slated to hit U.S. theaters on August 22. The buzz from its Cannes debut suggests a strong reception from American audiences as well. From its provocative themes to its bold performances and stylish aesthetic, the film positions itself as a unique entry in Coen’s oeuvre — one that’s both crowd-pleasing and culturally resonant, especially in its unapologetic celebration of queer storytelling.
