Another Simple Favour
The first instalment of A Simple Favour recalled the melodramas of the Golden Age of Hollywood. One could easily imagine Joan Crawford playing the manipulative Emily Nelson, martini and acerbic quips at the ready. Paul Feig captured the campy, catty fun of that era and put a decidedly digital-age spin on it. This time around, he has amped the theatrics up to 11. A twisty thrill ride of a sequel, Another Simple Favour will not disappoint fans of the original smash hit.
The first film ended with Emily (Blake Lively) being busted for the murder of her twin sister after her confession was secretly livestreamed by baking vlogger Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick). Having found success on the back of her sleuthing, Stephanie is now a popular true crime influencer and author of a book based on her complex relationship with the enigmatic, albeit deeply troubled, Emily. One day, Stephanie’s frenemy reappears, whisking her off to Capri for her idyllic wedding to the hunky Dante (Michele Morrone).
From the outset, there are twists and more twists. Each new revelation leaves the audience gasping or chortling – and often both. But Kendrick and Lively’s superb performances save the film from descending into crass territory. The two have impeccable chemistry, effortlessly veering from playful to toxic and back again, and both excel at exhibiting their comedic panache.
From Bridesmaids to Ghostbusters, Feig has always been great at spotlighting female stories. Much like he defended the latter film’s star, Leslie Jones, amid an onslaught of misogynoir, he has spoken out in support of Lively (the actress has, in recent months, been subjected to an orchestrated online hate campaign). And while Another Simple Favour is by no means an overtly feminist film, Feig’s espousal of an entirely female-driven narrative is undoubtedly a conscious one. Prior to the screening, the director briefly touched upon his need to champion women in film, and his much-awaited sequel is a success in that respect. There are no male saviours here – just two multifaceted, scene-stealing women carrying a film that passes the Bechdel Test.
To be clear, Another Simple Favour is not art, nor does it purport to be. The movie wears its kitschy throwback heart on its sleeve, and is all the more enjoyable for it. With the world increasingly shrouded in darkness and iniquity, a bit of camp escapism is what so many need right now.
Antonia Georgiou
Another Simple Favour is released nationwide on 1st May 2025.
Watch the trailer for Another Simple Favour here:
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