Seven years after Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor became a theatrical hit, the director reunites Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively for Another Simple Favor, a sequel made exclusively for Amazon Prime Video. This time, the story takes a campier, more extravagant turn, trading grounded thrills for over-the-top drama and humor. While the tone shifts dramatically, the chemistry between its leads remains the film’s strongest asset.
A Decadent Reunion
Set several years after the events of the first film, Another Simple Favor finds Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) unexpectedly reunited with her enigmatic former friend Emily Nelson (Lively), who has just been released from prison. The two are brought together on the glamorous Italian island of Capri for Emily’s lavish wedding to a wealthy entrepreneur. Stephanie, now a published author, is skeptical of Emily’s motives but agrees to serve as the maid of honor. As the wedding unfolds, murder and intrigue ensue, plunging Stephanie and Emily into another twisted narrative.
While A Simple Favor maintained a grounded, serious tone, its sequel embraces absurdity and excess. The result is a film that’s undeniably fun but strays far from its predecessor’s subtlety. Whether this shift works for audiences will depend on their appetite for campy, indulgent storytelling.
Paul Feig Goes Full Camp
Director Paul Feig deliberately leans into the ridiculous this time around. Another Simple Favor is a bold departure from the first film, trading a steak-and-potatoes thriller for a dessert buffet of over-the-top drama. The film teeters on the edge of absurdity, with Feig reveling in its chaos. While it risks veering into self-parody,
