In 2024, prequels and sequels dominated the box office. Nine of the 10 highest-grossing films were sequels, proving to be major cash cows for successful franchises. So, why not jump on that lucrative bandwagon and churn out a sequel to a film that, quite frankly, we didn’t ask for in the first place?
Introducing Another Simple Favor, the sequel to A Simple Favor (2018). This release is particularly challenging for Blake Lively, as her public feud with Justin Baldoni escalates. Nonetheless, Lively has a knack for portraying villains, both on-screen and, some might say, off-screen, as well.
A Simple Favor is a movie packed with unexpected twists, bizarre moments and eye-catching outfits sported by Lively. It strikes me as a cozy mystery version of Gone Girl. Anna Kendrick stars as Stephanie Smothers, a mommy blogger who forms a connection with Emily Nelson (Lively) because their sons are friends at school.
After a few martinis and some shared secrets, Emily asks Stephanie to pick up her son from school, but she never returns. There’s much more to the story, but to sum it up, Emily is sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder, while Stephanie’s vlog goes viral and she becomes something of a part-time detective, leading to an intriguing conclusion.
Or so we thought.
The sequel, Another Simple Favor (clever, right?), takes place five years later. Stephanie, now a well-known true crime blogger, has penned a book detailing her experiences with Emily and is gearing up for a book-signing event to celebrate the launch. To her surprise, Emily has been released from prison and appears to ask Stephanie to be her maid of honor at her wedding in Capri. Though hesitant, Stephanie agrees, knowing it will be a fantastic opportunity to boost her proper crime channel.
They board a private jet to Italy and meet Emily’s affluent Italian fiancé, Dante. As familiar faces from the first film gather for this wedding, trouble brews. The body count starts to rise, and the hunt for the killer is officially on.
Both films are intricately layered, creating something that can be almost overwhelming. The first movie was a rollercoaster ride of excitement, reminiscent of diving into a captivating thriller novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was a fun film, weaving suspense and surprising twists that left a lasting impression. However, with the sequel, there’s a concern that attempting to replicate the same whirlwind of complexity may be too much.
While the narrative is not inherently difficult to understand, it often veers into realms that feel implausible or overly convoluted, sometimes bordering on absurdity. This makes the experience less about intellectual engagement and more about navigating a labyrinth of ideas that sometimes stray too far from believability.
Thankfully, a stunning location was chosen for filming. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Capri, with its mesmerizing blue waters and remarkable architecture, the film truly shines. While the plot mirrors the first movie’s, this installment throws in a destination wedding. Director Paul Feig and screenwriter Jessica Sharzer reprise their roles, contributing to the film’s continuity. The cinematography beautifully captures the essence of Capri, showcasing its incredible scenery.
Another saving factor is Anna Kendrick. She always gives great performances and brings humor and comedy where appropriate. She actually has excellent chemistry with Lively, which, in reality, I don’t think the two really enjoy each other, but that works great in this film. Even though I’m not a big Lively fan, she also gives a stunning performance and can rock the eccentric outfits, I’ll give her that!
The humor caught me off guard in a delightful way. Most of it comes from Kendrick, who has a talent for delivering dry wit while keeping the atmosphere light. Her facial expressions and impeccable timing make her genuinely funny, and I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times — a plus! It reminds me of mixing the charm found in Only Murders in the Building, with the cleverness of Glass Onion. That’s how the Simple Favor franchise strikes me.
The big twist in this one was frustrating because, as I mentioned earlier, it lazily mirrored the twists from the first film, which felt like a real cop-out and left me feeling annoyed. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt and kept watching, but how they handled the taboo elements wasn’t amusing. Instead, it was quite off-putting and soured my view of the franchise. While I get the intention behind the callback to the original film, showing it on-screen didn’t sit right with me.
No spoilers here, but the way the movie wraps up hints at the possibility of a third installment. Will they keep us on the edge of our seats with another one? Only time will tell. I’ll probably end up watching it because, let’s face it, I’ve seen every single Hellraiser film, and honestly, it’s hard to get worse than that!
Releasing this film directly to streaming was the right decision. Movies with such campy and absurd qualities are better suited for the comfort of home viewing, where audiences can enjoy the experience without the pressure of a theatrical environment. If I had spent money on a ticket to see this in theaters, I would seek a refund!
The over-the-top elements and silly plot twists are best appreciated in a casual setting, allowing viewers to embrace the entertainment without any of the usual cinematic expectations.
But, as long as Kendrick and Lively are involved in the narrative, I’m confident that fans will continue to show up and offer their support.
I give Another Simple Favor a rating of two out of five stars. If you enjoyed the first movie, you might want to give this one a try, but don’t go in expecting anything groundbreaking or extravagant. Honestly, I don’t think this film was made for someone like me, but the breathtaking views of Capri made the experience worthwhile.
Will 2025 be another year packed with successful sequels? Based on what I’ve seen in this film, I would have to say, “No.”
Another Simple Favor is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.