Another Simple Favor: A Campy Mix of Murder and Friendship

AUSTIN, Texas — The sequel to 2018’s hit film, Another Simple Favor, premiered Friday at the SXSW Film Festival, bringing back its complex characters and outrageous situations. Directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Darcey Bell’s novel, this film continues the bizarre friendship between Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) and Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick).

Emily’s dramatic entrance into a Connecticut bookstore, where Stephanie is hosting a book reading, is the beginning of the chaos. Now sporting a spiked, couture outfit, Emily announces her release from prison and her upcoming wedding in Italy, asking Stephanie to be her maid of honor. The character’s transformation, from a convicted murderer to a glamorous bride, showcases the mix of dark comedy and absurdity that fans loved in the original.

Stephanie, now a true-crime influencer, is wary yet drawn to Emily’s manipulative charm. The film insightfully displays their toxic friendship and shared history. As they travel to Capri for the wedding, the film delivers sharp dialogue and comedic jabs, capturing the essence of their tumultuous bond.

However, the film veers into territory that feels less cohesive in its second half. A series of murders disrupt the glamorous festivities, and the plot begins to unravel with bizarre twists, such as a fatal confrontation involving Emily’s estranged family. The narrative shifts and an FBI agent enters the mix, creating confusion and a sense of disarray.

While the film maintains its stylish visuals and character-driven humor, critics express disappointment over how the plot loses its grip in favor of wild twists. The chemistry between Lively and Kendrick remains palpable, but the stakes begin to feel trivialized.

As the chaos unfolds on the island, the humor of the first half is overshadowed by increasingly ridiculous scenarios, including an unexpected turn involving Emily’s past with her twin sisters. The film ends by hinting at a potential third installment, although some may question the future of this franchise as it struggles to keep its narrative grounded amid the allure of outrageousness.