Chris Evans may be Hollywood royalty, but even Captain America knows that some things matter more than the red carpet—like celebrating your mom’s 70th birthday.

Ethan Coen’s new screwball noir comedy, Honey Don’t!, brought the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to a flashy close on May 23, with stars Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza lighting up the red carpet. But fans quickly noticed a major absence: the film’s biggest A-lister, Chris Evans, was nowhere to be found.

Evans later explained his absence in a heartfelt Instagram Story (via People):

“I wish I could’ve been with my incredible cast and filmmakers at Cannes, but it was my mother’s 70th birthday and there are some things you just can’t miss! Congrats everyone!!”

In Honey Don’t!, Qualley plays Honey O’Donahue, a small-town private detective who stumbles into a bizarre string of deaths linked to a shadowy church. Evans plays wildly against type in a larger-than-life performance as the church’s charming but sinister minister—marking a sharp comedic turn for the former Marvel hero.

Plaza portrays a tough local cop who falls into a passionate but complicated romance with Qualley’s character. Rounding out the supporting cast are Charlie Day and Billy Eichner, adding to the film’s zany energy.

The film marks Coen’s second collaboration with Qualley following 2023’s Drive-Away Dolls, a road trip crime comedy that helped redefine her comedic range.

The world premiere of Honey Don’t! was met with a thunderous six-minute standing ovation, with cheers erupting especially for Plaza and Qualley. Coen appeared visibly moved and addressed the audience briefly after the screening:

“This reaction is such a fun way to end the festival. Thank you.”

Qualley’s husband, Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff—known for his work with Taylor Swift and Bleachers—was also in attendance to support the cast.

Honey Don’t! hits U.S. theaters on August 22 via Focus Features and kicks off a busy indie season for Evans. He also stars in Materialists, the much-anticipated romance drama from Past Lives director Celine Song, opposite Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal. That film opens June 13 under A24.

From skipping Cannes for family to embracing offbeat roles, Evans continues to surprise his fans—and Honey Don’t! is just the latest twist in his post-Marvel evolution.