Another Simple Favour: Anna Kendrick And Blake Lively Reunite For More Comedic Twists And Turns
Just released on Amazon Prime Video, Another Simple Favour brings together Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in the sequel to A Simple Favour, reprising their roles as Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson, with Paul Feig once again directing.
Set several years after the first film, it sees Stephanie, a true crime vlogger, and Emily, an elegant criminal, reunite in Italy for another darkly comedic thriller with twists galore. But is it worth a watch? And is it as good as the first? Here’s what we thought:
Where does Another Simple Favour pick up from?
A Simple Favour released back in 2018, and seven years is a pretty lengthy time for a sequel to arrive, and it’s perhaps notable that Amazon has elected for a streaming-only release rather than putting it in cinemas. At the end of the first film (we’ll assume you’ve seen it if you’re reading this), Emily, who had previously been thought dead after disappearing, is put in prison for her various crimes, having been unravelled by Stephanie. At the beginning of this one, however, Emily has been released early from prison on appeal, and tracks down the now successful true crime vlogger Stephanie to a book signing. The book in question is about the pair’s relationship and how Emily was imprisoned, and even though Emily’s identity isn’t revealed, she still might not be best pleased at the contents.
However, she instead asks Stephanie to fly out to Italy to be the maid of honour at her wedding (she’s getting hitched to an Italian, played by Michele Morrone (Subservience), who happens to have connections to organised crime), and says the event could result in even more book sales. The pair arrive in Capri, and it’s here that the plot really starts to get going. Stephanie might be there on a special invite, but there’s a sinking feeling that the always mysterious Emily is plotting some kind of revenge for her imprisonment half a decade ago. We won’t go too much further into story details to keep things a surprise, but Stephanie soon finds herself wrapped up in the mafia, and out of her true crime element. She’s also no less in danger, idyllic sunny surroundings or not, and soon bodies start piling up- there’s a killer about.
How does it compare to the first film?
Another Simple Favour’s bigger scope (often a pitfall for sequels) does make it feel a little less unique and character-driven than the first, with its themes of motherhood and the Connecticut setting. However, it offers much of the same from A Simple Favour: the fun and tense-when-needed chemistry between Kendrick and Lively, the darkly comedic (and often absurd) twists and turns, and a crime plot that’s hard to resist sinking into. More than the first, it goes into the lavish visuals and style. There’s quite a lot of emphasis on the Mediterranean setting, making things feel a little bit White Lotus, and everyone has elaborate and chic outfits even as they get increasingly involved in outlandish plot twists and conveniences. Ultimately, of course, it’s Kendrick and Lively’s show, and they make it all work, as both step back into these roles easily and play off each other well. Stephanie wants to do what’s right, Emily is charismatic but slippery. There’s also a solid supporting cast, with Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) back as Emily’s ex-husband, and appearances from Andrew Rannells (Big Mouth) and Allison Janney (I, Tonya).
Is it worth a watch?
Is it all quite silly? Yeah, but that’s what you’re here for. The biggest strength of Another Simple Favour is that it isn’t a disappointment if you liked the first, and it maintains much of what made that one fun. Stretching things to a third film in the future, however, might be a bit of an ask as things are already wearing a bit thin- but ultimately, it makes for very watchable escapist viewing.
Another Simple Favour is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
