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TheCoen Brothershave been a staple of American independent cinema since the early 1980s. Together, bothJoelandEthan Coenhave expanded, lampooned, and perfected gangster films, film noir, and even Westerns. They were critical darlings, every actor’s favorite director, and winners of several Academy Awards including Best Picture for their dark western,No Country For Old Men. When the two decided to split up, most movie aficionados didn’t know what to do with themselves. But at last year’s award season, fans rejoiced to see the triumphant and independent return of Joel Coen withThe Tragedy of MacbethstarringDenzel WashingtonandFrances McDormand. Now it is Ethan Coen’s turn to show how good he is on his own withhis new film,Drive-Away Dolls.
For anybody wondering about the details of Ethan Coen’s newest film, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for everything we know so far aboutDrive-Away Dolls.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on August 18, 2025.
Drive-Away Dolls
Jamie regrets her breakup with her girlfriend, while Marian needs to relax. In search of a fresh start, they embark on an unexpected road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals.
What’s the Release Date of ‘Drive-Away Dolls’?
Drive-Away Dollswill be distributed to US audiences by Focus Features,arriving on August 22, 2025. The movie was previously scheduled to be released onSeptember 22, 2023, but was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Will ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ Be in Theaters or on Streaming?
As of right now, the only way you’ll be able to seeDrive-Away Dollson February 23, is on the big screen. The filmwill eventually be made available to stream on the Universal-owned streaming service Peacock, but no specific date has been given yet as to when that will be.
Is There a Trailer for ‘Drive-Away Dolls’?
The trailer forDrive-Away Dollswas initially released exclusively in theaters in front of showings ofWes Anderson’sAsteroid City. The trailer was released online shortly after, on June 17, 2025. The trailer, which is in part set toJoyce Harris and the Daylighters' “I Got My Mojo Working,” doubles down on the hijinks the film is sure to be full of and also teases the film’s villains played by some very familiar faces.
Thesecond trailer forDrive-Away Dollswas released by Focus Features on June 27, 2025.
In the week leading up to the release ofDrive-Away Dolls, Focus Features showcased a handful of clips from the comedy on their YouTube channel.
Who’s In the Cast of ‘Drive-Away Dolls’?
Ethan Coen has acquired a cast of some of the best actors in Hollywood.Margaret Qualley,Geraldine Viswanathan,Beanie Feldstein,Pedro Pascal,Colman Domingo,Bill Camp,Matt Damon,Joey Slotnick, andC.J. Wilsonare all set to star as Jamie, Marian, Sukie, Santos, Chief, Curlie, Senator Channel, Arliss, and Flint respectively.
Qualley got her start starring alongsideJustin Therouxon the underrated HBO drama,The Leftovers. She later starred in the detective period pieceThe Nice GuysalongsideRyan GoslingandRussell Crowe. In 2019, she achieved great success in both film and TV when she won an Emmy nomination for her role as the famous Broadway dancerAnn Reinkingin FX’s miniseries,Fosse/Verdon. The same year, she also starred alongsideBrad PittandLeonardo DiCaprioinQuentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. She recently received her second Emmy nomination for her lead role in Netflix’sMaidand had a small, but memorable role inYorgos Lanthimos' Oscar-nominated comedyPoor Things. Viswanathan is most famous forher role in the anthology comedy seriesMiracle WorkersalongsideDaniel Radcliffe. She has also starred in movies likeBlockers,The Broken Hearts Gallery, andRumble.
What Is ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ About?
Here is Focus Features’ Official Synopsis forDrive-Away Dolls:
This comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
Who’s Making ‘Drive-Away Dolls’?
The director ofDrive-Away Dollsis Ethan Coen. Along with his brother, Ethan Coen made his debut with 1984’sBlood Simple. This neo-noir thriller follows a Texas bartender who finds himself wrapped up in a murder plot when his boss discovers he has been having an affair with his wife. The film put the brothers on the map and they followed this dark crime drama up with a zany comedy about an infertile couple‘s attempt to steal a child,Raising Arizona, showing their range. They won their first Oscar for what is probably their most famous film,Fargo, a midwestern noir about a man’s failed attempt to stage his wife’s kidnapping. Though Joel and Ethan collaborated equally on writing and directing, Ethan didn’t receive his first official directing credit until their 2004 crime comedy,The Ladykillers. Since then, the two directed the Oscar-winningCormac McCarthyadaptation,No Country For Old Men, as well asInside Llewyn Davis, which turnedOscar Isaacinto a formidable Hollywood star. Their last collaboration together was on the Netflix anthology filmThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs,starringTim Blake Nelson,Brendan Gleeson, andLiam Neeson.
Ethan Coen is also co-writingDrive-Away Dolls, alongside his wife,Tricia Cooke. Though this is Tricia Cooke’s first time writing a feature, she is no stranger to the industry or to the world of the Coen Brothers. This husband and wife team began working together in 1990 when Cooke served as editor on his filmMiller’s Crossing,which starredGabriel ByrneandAlbert Finneyand followed a power struggle between two rival gangs. Cooke served as the editor on several of the Coen brothers’ films likeBarton Fink,The Man Who Wasn’t There, andO Brother Where Art Thou?. She has also worked with other directors includingMary Harronon the film,The Notorious Bettie Page, which told the life story of the famous pin-up girl. Coen and Cooke are also producing the film withTim Bevan,Eric Fellner, andRobert Graf. Music for the film is byCarter BurwellandAri Wegner(The Power of the Dog) is the cinematographer.Drive-Away Dollsis produced by Working Title Productions.
When and Where Was ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ Filmed?
Drive-Away Dollskicked off production in August 2022, filming in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Parts of the movie were also filmed in Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and it’s now in the post-production stage.
