Honey Don't! was filmed primarily in New Mexico.

Filming Locations

The Ethan Coen-directed dark comedy Honey Don't! , set in Bakersfield, California, was shot mostly in Albuquerque, New Mexico , with additional scenes in Belen, New Mexico.

Albuquerque's desert landscapes and urban areas doubled for Bakersfield, while Belen's old-town vibe added moody, detective-story atmosphere about 35 miles south.

New Mexico's tax incentives, vast spaces, and sunlight made it a go-to spot—Coen has filmed there before.

Production Timeline

Filming kicked off March 25, 2024 , in Albuquerque, originally slated to wrap by May 10 but extending to May 25.

The movie stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, and Chris Evans, hitting theaters August 22, 2025.

Behind the Stand-In Choice

"While the plot unfolds in Bakersfield, the actual filming took place miles away in Albuquerque, New Mexico."

Bakersfield leaned into the film's quirky portrayal anyway, with its tourism board posting trailer clips on Instagram to spotlight local gems like the Padre Hotel. Locals note the movie amps up the nightlife for laughs, not total realism.

This switch is classic Hollywood efficiency—doubling locations saves time and cash.

Quick Facts

  • Main spot : Albuquerque (cityscapes, deserts)
  • Secondary : Belen (small-town streets)
  • Why NM? : Tax breaks, versatile terrain
  • Release buzz : Part of Coen's "lesbian B-movie trilogy," with neo-noir vibes

TL;DR : Honey Don't! pretends it's Bakersfield but was filmed in Albuquerque and Belen, New Mexico, from March-May 2024.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.