For years, fans of Joel and Ethan Coen have been hoping for a reunion behind the camera. But while the legendary sibling directors haven't collaborated since 2018's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Ethan Coen has been quietly building his own filmography — and one of his recent projects is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Honey Don't!, a neo-noir crime thriller starring Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, and Margaret Qualley, has found a streaming audience on HBO Max in May 2026. According to FlixPatrol, the film has cracked the platform's global Top 10, giving it a second life after a disappointing theatrical run.
The Coen Brothers' Solo Paths
After the Coen Brothers' acclaimed run — from Fargo and The Big Lebowski to No Country for Old Men — the duo went their separate ways in 2018. Joel Coen directed The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), while Ethan Coen turned to documentary filmmaking with Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind (2022). Ethan then returned to narrative features with Drive-Away Dolls (2024), co-written with his wife Tricia Cooke, which they envisioned as the first in a trilogy of lesbian B-movies.
Honey Don't! is the second installment in that planned trilogy. While both Drive-Away Dolls and Honey Don't! underperformed at the box office, the latter is now enjoying a streaming resurgence.
What Is 'Honey Don't!' About?
Set in a neo-Western noir landscape, Honey Don't! follows private investigator Honey O'Danahue (Margaret Qualley) as she investigates a series of bizarre deaths linked to a local church. The ensemble cast includes Charlie Day and Aubrey Plaza, with Chris Evans in a supporting role. Despite the star power and Coen pedigree, critics and audiences were lukewarm upon its initial release.
For those who missed it in theaters, the film is now available to stream on HBO Max in select countries. If you're a fan of crime dramas that keep you guessing, this one might be worth a watch.
A Second Chance on Streaming
The streaming success of Honey Don't! echoes a growing trend: movies that flop in theaters can find new life on platforms like HBO Max. Just as Ridley Scott's Exodus found redemption on Tubi, Coen's thriller is proving that audiences are willing to give overlooked gems a second chance.
With its blend of dark humor, mystery, and a stellar cast, Honey Don't! is a must-stream for anyone craving a fresh take on the crime thriller genre. Whether or not the Coen Brothers ever reunite, Ethan Coen's solo work continues to intrigue — and now, more viewers are finally discovering why.
