Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively returned to their roles as Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson, respectively, in “Another Simple Favor,” a sequel to “A Simple Favor” released in 2018. The first film follows the two female protagonists who initially bond through a murder. Emily’s troubled past catches up to her, and Stephanie benefits as she documents her discoveries through live updates to a growing following on her once family-friendly vlogging channel. As the story unfolds, Stephanie writes a book on her tumultuous yet alluring friendship with Emily; it starts out sweet, with chats about their families over shared cocktails, but takes a dark turn when Stephanie discovers Emily’s shocking past. They have a complex relationship due to Emily’s secrets and Stephanie’s involvement in investigating her past actions.
The original film rose in popularity because of the strong on-screen chemistry between Kendrick and Lively. Although their characters are portrayed as polar opposites — Emily being rather reserved, mysterious and intimidating, while Stephanie is more bubbly and outgoing — the two form an unlikely pair. This relationship dynamic creates an ongoing tension that keeps the viewer wondering what will happen next in the film. The characters exchange sharp back-and-forth lines, where Stephanie often challenges or openly questions Emily, something that neither is used to. Written by screenwriters Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis, the film is packed with witty dialogue and carefully constructed interactions between Stephanie and Emily. It’s full of twists and turns right until the end. The reciprocity between their extremely contrasting personalities makes the story more intriguing, where each interaction is either sarcastic, humorous or anticipatory.
“Another Simple Favor” was filmed in Capri, Italy, in April 2024. The plot revolves around Emily’s Italian wedding, continuing the cliffhanger from the first film. Viewers can expect the same sense of chaos and intrigue, with the plot only getting more hectic as it progresses. The trailer shows many in attendance at Stephanie’s reading of her new book about Emily, “The Faceless Blonde.” A short moment in the trailer reinforces the audience’s perception that Stephanie is driven to discover more and share it with her followers and admirers. Emily’s unexpected return from prison makes audiences question how she will impact Stephanie’s ambitions.
Overall, “Another Simple Favor” is sure to provide another thrilling combination of comedy and suspense. It premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival with positive reactions. It is set to come out on May 1 on Amazon Prime Video.