Review: 'Another Simple Favor' Is a Sharp, Stylish Sequel Worth the Wait

Another Simple Favor is a stylish and satisfying sequel that exceeds expectations—and feels right at home alongside its 2018 predecessor. The original A Simple Favor was a breath of fresh air: a female-led comedy thriller for adult audiences released at a time when most mainstream content was targeted at teens. It was classy, crisp, and witty—part Hitchcock, a dash of Howard Hawks, and a dollop of modern pop. Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick’s spiky chemistry felt like something out of a screwball 1940s classic, even if they weren’t exactly romantic foils.

The first film was a surprise hit, and despite persistent rumors of on-set tension between the stars, a sequel always felt like a no-brainer. Then, well, stuff happened. I won’t rehash the drama surrounding Blake Lively following her role in It Ends With Us—the media has done that to a frankly unnecessary degree. Let’s just say her becoming a frequent subject of online mockery likely delayed the follow-up to A Simple Favor. Add in the whispered rumors of tension between Lively and Kendrick, and the delay starts to make sense.

But here’s the thing: the gossip doesn’t matter. What matters is whether the movie is good. And I’m happy to report: Another Simple Favor delivers.

The sequel raises the stakes in both comedic bite and narrative twists. By shifting the action from a suburban setting to the Italian coast, the film enhances the sleek visuals of the original and provides a dazzling new playground for mystery, glamour, and mayhem.

We pick up with Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), whose viral fame from uncovering the truth about her enigmatic friend Emily has faded. Her book, The Faceless Blonde, is floundering, and she hasn’t posted on her YouTube channel since covering a tragic case that ended in a suicide. Though she soldiers on, everyone around her is hoping for another Emily-related scoop.

Enter Emily (Blake Lively), crashing a barely-attended book signing to invite Stephanie to her wedding. Yes, Emily is alive, well, and marrying a man who is—probably—a member of the mafia. And for reasons only Emily understands, she wants her favorite frenemy to document the event. Stephanie knows better than to trust her again, but the lure of a new mystery (and another shot at online fame) proves irresistible. Before long, she’s jetting off to Italy and right into a fresh tangle of lies, danger, and murder.

Director Paul Feig doesn’t miss a beat here. The signature banter between Kendrick and Lively is just as sharp, snarky, and electric as ever. Whether or not they’re best friends offscreen, their chemistry is undeniable. They roast each other with flair, but always with a sense of mutual respect—like two chess grandmasters trading clever insults mid-match.

Another Simple Favor is clever, quick, and endlessly fun. Feig layers the script with new lore and backstory, but it never feels overstuffed. Instead, the added depth gives the film a satisfying rhythm as it builds to a twisty, entertaining conclusion. I adore these characters and the whip-smart way they interact. I’d happily watch them do this for several more sequels, if we’re lucky enough to get them.

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Tags: Another Simple Favor review, Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Paul Feig, comedy thriller sequel, A Simple Favor 2, movie review 2025, mystery comedy, women-led thrillers, film criticism, stylish thrillers