A Sequel with a Stylish Mystery
Paul Feig's Another Simple Favor is set to open the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 7, bringing back the chic, twisted storytelling that made its 2018 predecessor a sleeper hit. The original film, A Simple Favor, blended mystery, dark humor, and biting social satire, earning nearly $100M at the box office on a modest $20M budget. With Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick reprising their roles, anticipation was high for a theatrical release—until Amazon/MGM made the surprising decision to send the sequel straight to streaming on May 1.
A New Mystery in the Making
The first Simple Favor followed Stephanie (Kendrick), a widowed mommy vlogger who became entangled in the disappearance of the enigmatic Emily (Lively). This time, the intrigue shifts to Emily's extravagant wedding to an Italian businessman on the picturesque island of Capri—where, naturally, a murder disrupts the festivities. Feig's signature blend of glamour and deceit returns, but will it be enough to match the razor-sharp wit and tension of the original?
The Streaming Wars Strike Again
The decision to forgo a theatrical release stings, especially given Feig's own hopes for a big-screen debut following strong test screenings. However, in the age of the “streaming wars,” platforms like Amazon Prime Video are hungry for content that can boost subscriptions and viewership numbers. Given that the first film found a second life on streaming, it's understandable why Amazon sees potential in keeping the sequel exclusive to its platform.
Lively and Kendrick: A Duo Worth Watching
One of the first film's biggest strengths was the chemistry between Lively and Kendrick. Lively's effortlessly cool, morally ambiguous Emily contrasted perfectly with Kendrick's eager-to-please yet deeply cunning Stephanie. If the sequel can further explore their dynamic—perhaps with a new twist on trust and deception—it could prove just as addicting as the first installment.
Will Another Simple Favor Deliver?
Feig has described the film as a playful mix of Hitchcockian suspense and Gone Girl-style intrigue. If executed well, it could carve out a niche as a rare, stylish mystery-comedy that keeps audiences guessing. But without the theatrical experience to amplify its stylish cinematography and tension-filled plot, will it still land with the same impact?
Final Thoughts
There's an undeniable charm to A Simple Favor—it's the kind of movie that doesn't take itself too seriously while still managing to pull off a compelling mystery. If Another Simple Favor can bottle that same magic, it could be one of 2025's most enjoyable releases, even if it's debuting from the comfort of our living rooms.
Personal Impressions:
I loved the stylish noir-comedy twist of the first Simple Favor. Lively was magnetic, and Kendrick's performance balanced naivety with sharp intelligence. Seeing them return to these roles is exciting, but I can't help but feel that a theatrical release would have done the film justice. Feig's visual flair and darkly comic tension deserve the big screen treatment, yet Amazon's strategy makes sense given the current market.
I'm cautiously optimistic. If the sequel delivers the same blend of sophistication, humor, and suspense, it could stand out as one of the better streaming originals of the year.
What do you think? Should Another Simple Favor have been released in theaters, or does streaming make sense in today's market? Let us know your thoughts!
