Mikes Film Talk

The 2025 Dark Comedy/Mystery Thriller Honey Don’t! is basically soft porn. It focuses less on the plot than it does sex laden, shock-worthy moments. A reverend, who claims to be a priest, schtupping his congregation. When he is not busy murdering them. A lot of sex scenes, straight and lesbian focused, and quite a lot of nudity.

While Honey Don’t! zeroes in on the more sordid aspects of people and their sexual interactions, one cannot help but wonder why. The film has a number of solid actors in it. However, so little time is spent by co-writer and director Ethan Coen, one half of the splendid Coen Brothers, on the story that it never finds its way. *The second credited writer is Tricia Cooke; wife of Ethan.*

Honey Don’t! Story

Private detective Honey O’Donahue of Bakersfield CA, looks into a series of deaths connected to a local church. We are privy to her relationships as well as her family and investigations.

The Cast

Margaret Qualley is Honey O’Donahue.

Aubrey Plaza is MG Falcone.

Chris Evans is Reverend Drew Devlin.

Jacnier is Hector.

Lera Abova is Chère.

Gabby Beans is Spider.

Talia Ryder is Corrine.

Charlie Day is Marty Metakawich.

Kristen Connolly is Heidi O’Donahue.

*Surprising find: Josh Pafchek as Shuggie. Decent enough Aussie/Kiwi accent and he fills his character’s shoes with total aplomb.*

Let’s Talk Honey Don’t!

I was very disappointed in this one. Brought to us by one half of the Coen Brothers; two gentlemen who put Noir back into film. The cast is to die for. However, the writing team of Ethan and his significant other dropped the whole darn ball on this film.

The plot is threadbare and more attention is paid to various folks shagging. In one scene at the bar between MG and Honey, we come dangerously close to just plain porn. There is nothing soft about it.

To be fair, later on near the end reel of the film, there is another MG and Honey scene that pretty much rocks. And surprise of all surprises, there is no sex, no nudity no dirty talk, just action and it works. This and the scene between Hector and Mr Siegfried’s cheating boyfriend were the only standout moments in the entire film. Oh, and the music was spot on, although it felt like a Tarantino wannabe soundtrack, all hip and sexy.

The Verdict

Honey Don’t! earns a paltry 2 stars for being more soft porn than film Noir. It felt like an overly sex crazed version of a Tarantino film without Quentin being involved. A total waste of 89 minutes. I cannot image what compelled the massive talents to work on the film. It is streaming on Peacock right now.

The Trailer