A sequel to Paul Feig’s “A Simple Favor” always felt inevitable. The original film earned praise from critics and delivered solid box office numbers, making a follow-up feel like a natural next step. Now, Anna Kendrick returns as Stephanie Smothers—the mommy blogger turned amateur detective—and Blake Lively is back as Emily Nelson, the effortlessly chic femme fatale with a killer wardrobe and even sharper secrets for yet another murder mystery in “Another Simple Favor.”
“Another Simple Favor” is comparable to ordering your favorite drink from your usual bartender who knows how you like it and your favorite twists. Though expecting the unexpected makes things a bit predictable, it doesn’t take away from the electric chemistry between Kendrick and Lively. This is especially true since the sequel now takes place on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where darker secrets and questionable motives overshadow the beauty and grandeur of the land.
Like its predecessor, “Another Simple Favor” draws inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock. Cinematographer John Schwartzman manages to capture the lush and lavish beaches while the story hints at something sinister hiding underneath.
The film picks up a few years after the events of the first movie, where Stephanie has found modest success as a writer. She is having trouble creating new content for her true crime podcast, and is starting to feel the pressure of success and the price that comes with it when her assistant, friends, and fans demand more.
In attempts to sell her latest book ‘The Faceless Blonde,’ Stephanie goes on a book tour. However, Emily suddenly pops up, having found a loophole in the justice system that allowed her early release from her 20-year prison sentence. Although, she isn’t there to get revenge on the woman who set her life on fire. No, she is there to extend an offer to be her maid of honor at a wedding on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. While Stephanie isn’t sure if she should accept it since she knows how Emily likes to play mind games, she ends up going and hoping that Emily has changed.
Of course, it’s hard to grasp whether or not Emily is being genuine, considering she is so unpredictable. That is all about the charm of her character, as she can weaponize chaos with a smile, turning unpredictability into an art form and leaving everyone wondering if they’ve just been played—or fallen under her spell. Even Emily’s wardrobe, which compliments her power and control, feels like a character in itself.
And just as things couldn’t get any zanier, it is revealed that Emily is marrying Dante Versano (Michele Morrone) of the Versano crime family. Stephanie makes a quick “The Godfather” note to Emily that things didn’t work out so well for Diane Keaton when she married into the mob. So, without missing a beat, Feig makes sure this family has all of the stereotypes and multiples them by ten. It’s a family with plenty of secrets closely protected by their equally over-the-top, 24-hour, heavily armed security. Even after things can get settled, the film falls back into old habits, and the bodies pile up. Yes, as in multiple murder victims whose deaths are just as extravagant as the next.
Without getting into spoiler territory, Stephanie is the prime suspect and confined to house arrest in what can only be the most luxurious hotel room the island of Capri has to offer. However, she is without her phone and has no means of communicating with anyone, including Detective Summerville (Bashir Salahuddin), her best friend Darren (Andrew Rannells), her son (Joshua Satine), or fans. All she has to rely on is rookie FBI Agent Irene Walker (Taylor Ortega) and one of the cleaning staff who is bitter towards the local police that the Versanos have bought out to help prove her innocence.
Those playful winks and nods to pop culture deepen the film’s self-awareness. With Stephanie updating her fans via vlog about her book and her latest murder-filled misadventure, Kendrick’s performance leans into the idea that it’s all for show—even the danger. Even the thought of Emily potentially killing Stephanie, with Stephanie quipping it would make for a great sequel, adds to the film’s meta tone.
Playful self-conscious jokes aside, “Another Simple Favor” isn’t as sharp as its predecessor. But what the sequel lacks in novelty, it makes up for with stylish flair, twisted charm, and the irresistible chemistry of its returning leads. Kendrick and Lively make for quite a pair, although things have changed for the two since their characters went their separate ways. Now, Stephanie has to worry about whether or not she will be a victim, whereas Emily enjoys watching Stephanie spiral out of control. Whenever these two are together, the film sparkles. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said when they are separated. Like its predecessor, most of the film relies on us following Stephanie in solving the murder crimes while Emily stays out of the spotlight. Yet, she makes her presence known and does so in massive theatrical ways.
Unfortunately, anyone outside the magical concoction of the Kendrick and Lively chemistry is wasted. Several members of the ensemble feel like the garnish in a cocktail—nice to look at, but ultimately unnecessary to the mix. Henry Golding returns as Sean and leans heavily into playing the role of the “drunken malcontent of an ex.” Sean and Emily trade barbs, much to the chagrin of Morrone’s Dante – who is also wasted. Janney and Perkins are also fun, but they feel underutilized.
Though there are a few shortcomings, Another Simple Favor is yet another devilishly fun noir murder mystery that works thanks in no small part to Kendrick and Lively’s chemistry. One never knows what to expect from them, which makes it that much more fun to watch. And even if the unexpected twists are expected—and equally absurd—you can count on the film to deliver them with a wink, a flourish, and a killer pair of heels.
7.5/10
Another Simple Favor streams on Amazon Prime Video on May 1
