Not every film necessitates a follow-up, and the sharp and stylish thriller *A Simple Favor* from 2018 didn’t appear to be one that warranted it. After all, its clever antagonist, Emily Nelson—also known as Hope McLanden—was incarcerated with a substantial sentence. Yet, when you craft a character as dangerously captivating as Emily, imprisoning her indefinitely would be a crime in its own right. Thus, she returns.

Blake Lively steps back into the shoes of the daring and fashionista femme fatale, with Anna Kendrick reprising her role as the true-crime-obsessed mom influencer, Stephanie Smothers. Their on-screen chemistry remains electrifying, but *Another Simple Favor* truly excels when it allows Lively to fully embrace Emily’s delightfully unhinged nature.

### *Another Simple Favor* escalates in size and intensity

Scripted by *A Simple Favor*’s Jessica Sharzer and *Shutter Island*’s Laeta Kalogridis, this sequel indulges in self-awareness. Some aspects pay tribute to the original, such as Stephanie’s narrative commencing *in media res* via an update for her vlog followers. However, this time, rather than being in the midst of an investigation, she finds herself under house arrest in a luxurious Italian villa in Capri—charged with the murder of Emily’s spouse.

The exotic backdrop instantly enhances the movie’s grandeur, and director Paul Feig takes full advantage, presenting stunning aerial views of Capri’s breathtaking cliffs, opulent homes, and crashing waves. But how did Stephanie land in this predicament? It all begins with her struggling book tour for *The Faceless Blonde*, a memoir detailing her experiences with Emily. Just when things seem dire, Emily makes a theatrical comeback with an offer Stephanie can’t resist: be her maid of honor—or face a lawsuit for penning the book.

Indeed, Emily is free from prison (“Out on appeal! Our legal system is so messed up,” she remarks with a Cheshire Cat smile) and preparing to marry a dangerously charming Italian man, Dante Versano (Michele Morrone). And who better to support her than her *best friend*?

Stephanie, cautious yet intrigued, agrees—partly to evade a lawsuit, partly because Emily’s return has rekindled interest in her book. But when Emily’s husband is discovered dead, Stephanie finds herself entangled in another twisted mystery, racing to exonerate herself while unraveling startling new secrets.

### Lively is on a whole new level in *Another Simple Favor*

Emily Nelson was a standout character in the initial film—chic, intimidating, and effortlessly stylish. She glided into school pickups as if she had just stepped off a runway, radiating confidence with a razor-sharp edge. She epitomized the femme fatale, wielding seduction as a weapon and living with utter freedom. Yet, Lively also infused Emily with unexpected warmth and sharp wit, crafting an endlessly intriguing antiheroine.

In the sequel, Sharzer and Kalogridis amplify Emily’s magnetism, throwing her into a whirlpool of mafia entanglements and hidden family secrets. The film even playfully references *The Godfather Part II*—a rare sequel often deemed superior to its original—acknowledging the skepticism surrounding sequels while welcoming their undeniable charm.

Lively is captivating, transitioning effortlessly from elegantly menacing to hilariously crude to outright unhinged. The Italian backdrop, reminiscent of *The Talented Mr. Ripley*, adds an extra layer of intrigue, inviting audiences to bask in the opulence while questioning who truly holds the reins. Stephanie, despite her sweet and naive exterior, is leveraging Emily’s wedding for content—demonstrating that she isn’t entirely innocent either. But at what cost?

While Kendrick is once again delightful as the spirited amateur detective, *Another Simple Favor* lags when Lively isn’t present. Whether she’s enchanting, menacing, or reliving her past in a smoky dance hall, Lively seizes every scene. She even channels the energy of Lady Gaga’s *House of Gucci* in flashbacks, morphing into a blue-collar brunette who charms her way into high society. And, of course, she accomplishes it all in breathtaking fashion.

### *Another Simple Favor* offers fashion at a whole new level

Feig and his crew understand that viewers were enamored with Emily’s power suits in the first movie, and they’ve elevated the stakes in this sequel. Major accolades go to the costume department, which ensures that every ensemble conveys a narrative.

Emily’s grand re-entry perfectly exemplifies this: she struts back into Stephanie’s life in a white-and-gray striped suit that subtly echoes an old-fashioned prison uniform—complete with a high-button collar. Meanwhile, Stephanie’s fashion remains humorously unrefined, such as when she boards a private jet in mismatched sweatpants, dull sneakers, and a travel