Honey Don't! - Release date news, cast details, and more about the upcoming detective comedy film starring Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans

Marvel star Chris Evans is making his big screen return in the upcoming detective comedy film Honey Don't! by Focus Features and Working Title Films. Ethan Coen is at the helm of the project alongside screenwriter Tricia Cooke, as an ensemble cast (led by Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza) lines up for a much-anticipated August 2025 release.

The story revolves around a private investigator and her chronicles through the mysteries of a cult-driven small town. Honey Don't! will also have an early screening this May at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The official synopsis of the movie, per IMDb, reads:

"A dark comedy about Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator, who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church."

When will Honey Don't! be released?

On August 22, 2025, Honey Don't! will have a theatrical premiere in the United States. Back in early 2024, the lead cast members as well as the creative team officially came on board the project, and filming commenced in March 2024. After covering multiple locations across Albuquerque, New Mexico, cameras reportedly stopped rolling by May.

What do we know about the plot of Honey Don't!?

Honey Don't! centers on a woman named Honey O’Donahue (portrayed by Margaret Qualley), a private detective who lands in a small town filled with deadly mysteries. As the trailer unravels, we see Honey walking into the station, where she comes across a police officer named MJ (Aubrey Plaza portrays the part) who gets the address she had asked for.

However, the two-and-a-half-minute-long clip takes a turn when a dead woman named Mia Novotny is discovered by the town forces, and it seems that:

"She got stabbed and stuffed in a car."

Honey reaches the spot and discovers a unique ring from the deceased - a shiny object that carries a symbol of an organization called "Four Way Temple." It turns out it is run by a cult leader named Drew (played by Chris Evans). As the clip further unfolds, shots get fired, and we see Honey actively engaging with the mysteries of a town that is under the spell of Drew, not to mention that the ring (mentioned earlier) is of some significance.

With more action, subtle comedy, and acute suspense, the plot builds up as Honey carries on her mission to bust open Drew's dark secrets, who is simply not just a religious leader but a lot more dangerous. But how it all unfolds is still being kept under wraps.

Who is in the cast of Honey Don't!?

Emmy-nominated actress Margaret Qualley (known from The Leftovers and The Substance) will lead the cast of Honey Don't! alongside Aubrey Plaza (a famous face from The White Lotus). Qualley is playing the titular character, Honey, and Plaza appears to be fitting herself into the shoes of a cop who helps the former in her investigation.

Chris Evans, aka the former Captain America, will portray the antagonist Drew, a dangerous cult leader whose intentions do not seem so pure. Charlie Day is going to play the role of another detective, though the name of his character has not been revealed yet. Among others in the cast, we have:

Talia Ryder
Billy Eichner
Lera Abova
Gabby Beans
Kristen Connolly
Jacnier as Hector
Kale Browne
Don Swayze as Gary
Alexander Carstoiu
Kinna McInroe
Josh Pafchek
Lena Hall
Christian Antidormi

According to CBR, lead star Margaret Qualley reportedly mentioned in a statement about her role, saying:

"I tend to want to diffuse things before they even happen. Honey, she’s like honey - she’s skillful, she’s smooth, she’s slipping in and out undetected."