Aubrey Plaza & Margaret Qualley Lead the Darkly Hypnotic ‘Honey Don’t!’ Premiere in NY

Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley shine on the red carpet at the New York City premiere of Honey Don’t!, the dark comedy that brings murder, mystery, and a dose of sharp wit to the big screen.

On August 13, the Metrograph in New York City transformed into a sultry, noir-inspired showcase for the premiere of Honey Don’t!, the new Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke collaboration that merges lesbian noir with razor-sharp satire. Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley—our magnetic leads—commanded the carpet with undeniable chemistry, setting the tone for a night that was equal parts stylish and subversive.

Plaza, in a bold red plaid blouse and matching skirt, leaned into a retro-meets-rebel energy, while Qualley countered with a minimalist knockout: a black microdress with sleek lines and just the right amount of 1960s screen siren allure. The two posed together with the kind of lived-in, conspiratorial intimacy that echoes their on-screen dynamic, sparking curiosity about the undercurrents in Coen’s shadowy new world.

They weren’t alone in drawing eyes—co-stars Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, Lena Hall, Lera Abova, Christian Antidormi, Josh Pafchek, Jacnier, Talia Ryder, Gabby Beans, and Kristen Connolly all stepped out, each adding to the eclectic, off-kilter glamour of the evening. Day, sporting a sharp double-breasted suit with a tie just loose enough to feel like a wink, brought an easy warmth to the carpet, while Abova’s structured black satin and knit cap felt ripped from a postmodern spy thriller.

Inside, the buzz was all about Coen’s unexpected tonal alchemy. Honey Don’t! follows small-town PI Honey O’Donahue (Qualley) as she unravels a series of strange deaths linked to a mysterious church, with Plaza circling her orbit in a role that’s equal parts catalyst, confidante, and chaos agent. Chris Evans, in what’s being called his most unhinged performance yet, plays Reverend Drew—a charismatic figure whose darkness seeps into every scene.

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The early word? This isn’t just a genre homage. Coen’s lens takes the smoke and shadow of classic noir and filters it through something nervier, queerer, and more emotionally jagged. Every frame hides a breadcrumb: a look, a prop, a half-finished drink that tells you the world is rotting from the inside out. The satire is sly, but the stakes—emotional and mortal—are real.

Scroll below to see the red carpet photos:

Watch The Trailer Below:

Dive deeper into Honey Don’t! with this exclusive clip that teases the film’s darkly comedic charm. The scene flashes a playful yet intriguing snippet of the movie’s tone and character dynamics:

Sneak Peek Clip – “I’m Old School”

Honey Don’t! hits theaters August 22 via Focus Features, promising to lure audiences into its web of heat, humor, and danger. Judging by the premiere’s energy, it’s the kind of film you’ll want to watch twice—once to savor the ride, and once to catch all the tricks you missed the first time.

Honey Don’t! premieres in theaters August 22 via Focus Features.