The new Focus Features film Honey Don’t! is the second part of a lesbian-themed trilogy following last year’s Drive-Away Dolls. Actress Margaret Qualley returns as the muse for director Ethan Coen, who co-wrote the piece with his wife, Tricia Cooke. Cooke identifies as queer, which is reflected in the storyline and depiction of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the project.
Qualley drives away from Florida, where she played Jamie in the first film, to explore new territory in California as a different character. The Golden Globe-nominated actress is now a private detective named Honey O’Donahue, investigating a series of murders. This takes her on a series of adventures to experience interactions with a variety of unforgettable individuals.
With a darker script than the first film, there’s plenty of fleshed-out characters for performers to sink their teeth into.
Honey Don’t! deserves attention as a second showcase of queer performers onscreen, portraying a rainbow of characters. Taking a page out of Orange Is the New Black, Aubrey Plaza is a match for Honey as police officer MG Falcone. Chris Evans is worth the price of admission as the jockstrap-wearing, charismatic priest Reverend Drew Devlin. Billy Eichner plays Mr. Siegfried, who suspects his partner may be cheating on him and asks Honey for help.
There’s a dry, tongue-in-cheek delivery from this troupe that works well with the over-the-top antics. While some straight viewers may not catch all the inside queer jokes, Honey Don’t! only gets better after repeat viewings to catch all of the camp. The artistic details and perfectly placed props that Coen is known for are all there for cinephiles to enjoy.
The soundtrack celebrates the out-and-proud crowd with lesbian singer Brittany Howard belting out “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and Qualley sings on several tracks as well.
Honey Don’t! harkens back to the 1996 neo-noir film Bound, with authentic representation shown through a lesbian lens. From dildos to devilish dialogue, this project pokes fun at the church and societal norms. There are also unexpected twists and turns throughout the film, underlined with several unconventional bloody fight scenes that are not for the squeamish.
Honey suffers from middle-child syndrome and clips its own wings short by the end, which will only leave viewers wanting more for part three. Tentatively titled Go Beavers, Cohen and Cooke are already working feverishly behind the scenes to bring the third installment to life, with Qualley waiting eagerly to sign on.
For now, Honey Don’t! drives into theaters nationwide on Friday, Aug. 22. Honey, do stay to watch the credits, too.