‘Another Simple Favor’: A Snarkier Sequel

Kendrick and Lively kick it in the Mediterranean in a film well worth your time.

Stephanie (Anna Kendrick, L) and Emily (Blake Lively) return in a sequel to “A Simple Favor,” in “Another Simple Favor.” Amazon Studios

R | 2h | Drama, Comedy, Mystery, Thriller | 2025

When released in 2018, “A Simple Favor” pulled in close to $100 million at the global box office against a modest $20 million budget. It scored an 84 percent critics’ rating and a 73 audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. By all yard sticks, it was an unqualified winner.

The biggest surprise regarding the new sequel (“Another Simple Favor” [ASF]) is that it didn’t come out sooner. From a financial perspective, waiting seven years between installments is risky. Granted, fans of the first movie are going to see it regardless, as are followers of leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

As a rule, I’m not a fan of sequels. A scant few of them are warranted (think “The Godfather Part II,” “Aliens,” “Terminator 2,” and “Top Gun: Maverick”). While I think “ASF” wasn’t needed, it’s warranted and mostly welcome. The first installment ended in a manner that provided closure while keeping the option for continuation on the table, without the pressure of being expected.

Emily (Blake Lively) is up to something, in “Another Simple Favor.” Amazon Studios

Perkins and Janney

Consistency in a project such as this is crucial. Original director Paul Feig returns, as does screenwriter Jessica Sharzer (who is joined by Laeta Kalogridis). Most of the original supporting cast is here, along with two new key additions (Elizabeth Perkins and Allison Janney).

In the 2018 film (7-year-old spoiler ahead), Lively’s character Emily is convicted of murder and sent to prison. Emily would have gotten away with it had it not been for the dogged pursuit of her neighbor Stephanie (Kendrick), a Pollyannaish mommy-blogger whom Emily pretended to befriend.

Through some sleight-of-hand and only-in-the-movies legalese, Emily is released from prison, moves to Italy, and becomes engaged to mobster Dante (Michele Morrone). More “adjacent” than actual mobster, Dante is what you might call a place card character. He’s not as dangerous as he looks, but is handsome enough to serve as a brief and adequate diversion.

(L–R) Emily (Blake Lively), Dante Versano (Michele Morrone), Vicky (Alex Newell), and Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), in “Another Simple Favor.” Amazon Studios

The meat and potatoes of the plot is just how Emily is going to exact revenge on Stephanie. This is made all the more complicated when the former asks the latter to be her maid of honor.

Why would Stephanie grant such an outrageous, and possibly lethal, request? The sales of her first book (a thriller based on Emily’s crime) are anemic; she could also be in violation of unauthorized use of Emily’s name and likeness. If Stephanie plays ball, Emily won’t sue her.

The Look of Bond

It helps that this will be a destination wedding on the Italian island of Capri, one of God’s most splendid creations. While certainly pleasant to look at, setting a (multiple victim) murder mystery on such an idyllic, near-Utopian locale populated with chase scenes, gunfire, and pyrotechnics makes “ASF” look a lot like a James Bond flick.

This isn’t a bad thing by any stretch; however, it’s a far cry from the tony New England suburbs of the first. Stephanie lived in a house that was warm and inviting, whereas Emily occupied a home with cathedral ceilings, lots of glass, sharp edges, and erotic art. The contrast of the two domiciles went further to define the divergent personalities of the two leads.

Emily also invites (read: demands) her ex-husband Sean (Henry Golding), whom she is also threatening with legal action and a nasty child custody battle. A one-and-done has-been novelist, Sean has now become a prodigious day drinker whose brain-to-mouth filter is permanently out of order.

While Perkins (as Emily’s mother Margaret) and Janney (as Emily’s Aunt Linda) show up early on, their characters aren’t given much to do until the third act. But the wait is largely worth it. Fans of the original will remember the part of Margaret was played by Jean Smart, who opted not to reprise the role here. The casting change is cleverly addressed with a simple toss away one-liner from Perkins that is indicative of both movies’ catty self-awareness.

Linda (Allison Janney, L) and Margaret (Elizabeth Perkins), in “Another Simple Favor.” Amazon Studios

Open Door

As with the first, “ASF” ends in a manner that offers some degree of closure, yet leaves the door wide open for a third, hopefully final, installment.

A word to the wise: There is no way to understand what’s going on here without seeing the 2018 movie first. Luckily, it can be viewed currently on home video, Netflix, and Fandango at Home, and would make for a great first half of a stay-at-home double-feature.

Neither of these movies will change your life. They will entertain you and make you feel your emotional and time investments in them was warranted.

The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

‘Another Simple Favor’ Director: Paul Feig Stars: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, Allison Janney Running Time: 2 hours MPAA Rating: R Release Date: May 1, 2025 Rating: 4 stars out of 5

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