This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, where I experienced the opening night premiere of Paul Feig’s “Another Simple Favor,” starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Allison Janney, Alex Newell and Elizabeth Perkins. The film is a direct follow-up to Feig’s “A Simple Favor” (2018), which was both a box office and critical success. It found an even larger audience during the pandemic, when it broke streaming service records on Amazon Prime. This sequel will be released directly on Prime on May 1.
The film follows the reunion of Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) as they engage in another high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. This time, however, the setting shifts to the picturesque island of Capri, during Emily’s lavish wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman. Amid the glamorous guests, violence, disillusionment and betrayal unfold through a series of operatic and shocking events.
Like its predecessor, “Another Simple Favor” excels in two key areas: performances and excitement. Kendrick and Lively share undeniable chemistry that blends intrigue, humor and suspense in a captivating way. Kendrick nails the bubbly, eager-to-please Stephanie, while Lively brings a contrasting mix of mystery and classical glamour to the screen. Watching them face off in life-or-death situations is both compelling and darkly humorous. With a precise two-hour runtime, the film feels closer to 90 minutes. Feig and editor Darcey Bell ensure that the pacing remains brisk and consistently engaging, with few moments that feel overly drawn-out or unnecessary. The final act, in particular, takes a bold, go-for-broke approach that is entertaining as reactionary satire.
Where the film falters, however, is in its inability to distinguish itself from its predecessor, ultimately offering little more than a reunion of familiar characters designed to thrill audiences (and, of course, generate more money for the studio). It follows a very similar structure to the original, making it just as fun but leaving little for the audience to chew on after the credits roll. Additionally, the film’s clean, sleek and overtly digital style of cinematography and shot composition detracts from its lasting impact, blending into the visual aesthetic of many contemporary mainstream movies and streaming service shows.
Overall, it’s an engaging sequel that delivers the thrills and chemistry fans loved in the first film without offering much that’s new. While it certainly entertains, it leaves you wishing for more depth and originality. With the return of beloved characters and a solid mix of humor and suspense, it will probably satisfy fans of the original, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression beyond that. Still, it was great to see it with a big crowd at a fun film festival whose passionate reactions made the experience worthwhile.
