Focus Features has officially announced the theatrical release date for Ethan Coen’s intriguing dark comedy film Honey Don’t!, which is set to hit theaters on August 22nd. This highly anticipated film features the talented Margaret Qualley in the lead role as Honey O’Donahue, a determined small-town private investigator. She embarks on a thrilling journey to uncover the truth behind a series of bizarre deaths that are intricately linked to a mysterious church. The film also boasts an impressive supporting cast, including renowned actors Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day, and Billy Eichner, all adding their unique flair to this captivating narrative.
The world premiere of Honey Don’t! is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, specifically in the Midnight Screenings section, which is known for showcasing innovative and daring cinema. In addition to directing the film, Coen has collaborated with Tricia Cooke to co-write the screenplay, bringing their creative vision to life. This film will mark the second installment in the “lesbian B-movie trilogy,” which commenced with their previous project, Drive-Away Dolls, also featuring the talented Qualley.
In a recent interview with i-D, Qualley shared some intriguing insights into her character, revealing that she had to temper her natural “Scooby-Doo” instincts to embody a more sophisticated and enigmatic persona. She explained, “I tend to want to diffuse situations before they escalate. Honey, she’s like honey — she’s skillful, smooth, and adept at slipping in and out of situations undetected.” This portrayal promises to showcase Qualley’s versatility as an actress, engaging audiences with a character that is both relatable and complex.
Qualley further elaborated, stating, “No girl needs to be taught how to be a detective. Women inherently possess an understanding of their surroundings, even when they might not realize it. Reflecting on her younger years, particularly in her early twenties, she noted that her investigative skills on social media platforms like Instagram were quite impressive. It’s a blend of intuition, craft, and innate instincts that contribute to her character’s detective skills.” While Qualley mentioned she has yet to read the script for the trilogy’s final installment, she humorously expressed her hope to be included, adding, “I will be offended and I will be upset if I’m not part of it.”
In Drive-Away Dolls, Qualley teamed up with Geraldine Viswanathan to portray two adventurous young women who embark on an unexpected road trip to Tallahassee, during which they encounter a group of bumbling criminals. Despite the film’s intriguing premise, our reviewer Chris Bumbray expressed disappointment, describing it as a “bit of a dud.” He highlighted, “The only silver lining of Drive-Away Dolls is the commendable performances by Qualley and Viswanathan, who strive to make the best of the material they have.” Bumbray further noted, “Qualley is challenged with delivering a quintessentially over-the-top (Coen-esque) performance as the eccentric Jamie, and she genuinely embraces the role. Audiences will witness a side of her that is refreshingly different, and she deserves recognition for her willingness to take such risks in her performance.” For those interested, you can read the full review here.
