“Another Simple Favor”
R/Comedy/Mystery/120 Mins
Directed by: Paul Feig
Written by: Jessica Sharzer & Laeta Kalogridis
Starring: Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Alex Newell, Henry Golding and Allison Janney
Review: South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 is here! 9 days of films, movies and cinema. Starting off my list of 20+ (oof, but a good oof) I plan on seeing at the fest is the Opening Night Selection: “Another Simple Favor.”
Returning 7 years after making the original “Simple Favor”, director Paul Feig reunites Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, and the rest of the original cast as well as some new faces added to the mix. This time this “simple favor” brings Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie to Capri, Italy as she is the maid of honor for her ex-best friend (also convicted murderer/con artist), Emily’s wedding. Aside from the fact that Stephanie is worried about Emily murdering her on this trip, she’s also worried about her declining sales of her new book so she thinks taking this trip could jump start her career. But this is a “Simple Favor” movie so everything is not what it seems, there’s twists, turns, and even some MURDER!
In preparation for watching the sequel, I recently watched the original film. I had a blast with it. It towed the line of comedy and drama so well, I was laughing one minute, then dropped my jaw when a bombshell was revealed. Lively and Kendrick are a big reason why these films work. They have perfect chemistry, and portray that “frenemy” dynamic so well. Most of the supporting cast as well are hilarious. Andrew Rannells as Darren always gets the biggest laughs out of me, which makes me wish he was a bigger part in these films. Henry Golding in this one seems to be having a blast as the drunken ex-husband. Another character I wish had a bigger role. Lastly, my favorite new addition is Alex Newell as Vicky. As Stephanie’s publicist, every scene they were in they stole, they were hysterically funny.
I will say what worked in the first film worked for some of this sequel, unfortunately some new additions to the concept and characters had me leaving this film entertained but slightly underwhelmed. While the orignal’s mystery left me shocked at the unraveling clues, it was riveting from start to finish. It helped that it was based on a book so the film had a distinct blueprint. The story for this one, is new and it felt lesser in some aspects. The previous film had a sense of fun and danger with the way it juggled tones. This one felt like it took on a more comedic/campy approach which made the mystery not as engaging to see unravel.
Really holding back story details because of spoilers, hence a less in-depth review, but if you enjoyed the first film, I’m sure you’ll have a fine time with this one. However, I don’t think it surpasses what came before but it is pretty good escapism.
Score: 6/10
“Another Simple Favor” will be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1st.
