Seven years after audiences were captivated by martini-fueled mystery and toxic friendship, the stylish saga continues. Another Simple Favor, the highly anticipated sequel, makes its streaming debut today on Amazon Prime Video. The 2018 original, directed by Paul Feig and starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, became a surprise hit and critical darling, praised for its sharp twists, dark humor, and the electric chemistry between its leads. Now, Feig and his leading ladies reunite, promising another cocktail of glamour, intrigue, and danger, this time served under the Italian sun. And with more humor and a style much closer to Knives Out.
The original film, based on the novel by Darcey Bell, grossed over $97 million worldwide on a modest $20 million budget. Its success, both in theaters and later on streaming, made a sequel likely. Amazon MGM Studios and Lionsgate are releasing this sequel exclusively on Prime Video. Fans can now dive back into the treacherous world of Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson, where murder and betrayal are always on the guest list.
The Plot: From Connecticut to the Cliffs of Capri
The sequel swaps the placid settings of Connecticut’s elegant suburbs for the sun-drenched beauty of the island of Capri. This change of scenery was deliberately chosen by Feig for its cinematic potential. The plot ignites when Emily Nelson (Lively), apparently released early from the prison sentence she received at the end of the first film, bursts back into the life of Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick). Stephanie, now a moderately successful true-crime author whose first book chronicled her previous entanglement with Emily, receives an offer she can’t refuse: Emily wants her to be the maid of honor at her upcoming “extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman” named Dante Versano (played by newcomer Michele Morrone). However, Sean Townsend, whom you’ll remember from the first film, is murdered in the shower. Everyone is a suspect.
The Team Behind the Sequel
Unlike its predecessor, which adapted Darcey Bell’s 2017 novel, Another Simple Favor features an original screenplay. Penned by returning screenwriter Jessica Sharzer, with contributions from Laeta Kalogridis and Paul Feig himself. While the first film benefited from the novel’s established structure, crafting a sequel from scratch required building a compelling new mystery worthy of the original’s reputation. Familiar faces abound, with Henry Golding returning as Emily’s ex-husband Sean Townsend, Andrew Rannells as the gossipy Darren, Bashir Salahuddin as Detective Summerville, and Joshua Satine and Ian Ho as Stephanie’s and Emily’s sons, respectively. They are joined by a high-profile new cast, including Allison Janney as Emily’s ominous aunt Linda, Elizabeth Perkins as her mother Margaret, Michele Morrone as the groom Dante, Alex Newell as Vicky, and Elena Sofia Ricci as Dante’s disapproving mother, Portia.
Kendrick and Lively Reunite
The first film thrived on the chemistry between Anna Kendrick’s earnest Stephanie and Blake Lively’s enigmatic Emily – a volatile bond built on secrets, martinis, and mutual fascination. That dynamic remains the driving force of the sequel, though the power balance has shifted. Seven years after Emily’s disappearance and reappearance, Stephanie is no longer the wide-eyed mommy vlogger easily dazzled by Emily’s glamour. She’s survived betrayal, solved a mystery, and turned the experience into a true-crime book, “The Faceless Blonde.” When Emily re-enters her life, fresh out of prison and demanding Stephanie serve as maid of honor under threat of a lawsuit, Stephanie approaches with justified suspicion. This altered dynamic – a wary author forced back into the orbit of her dangerous muse – fuels much of the sequel’s tension.
Behind the Camera
Director Paul Feig’s return is crucial to the identity of Another Simple Favor. Known for helming female-led comedy hits like Bridesmaids, The Heat, and Spy, Feig notably directed his first-ever sequel with this project. This sequel, co-produced by Feigco Entertainment alongside Amazon MGM Studios and Lionsgate, followed a development path spanning several years: announced in May 2022, filmed in Italy in the spring of 2024, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in March 2025, before its Prime Video launch today.
Our Take
This is an anticipated sequel that may, however, disappoint many. It follows more in the vein of Knives Out (another recent hit with a sequel) and focuses more on crafting a whodunit than reinforcing the aesthetic side, which was a fundamental piece of the first film. The two actresses are still there, but some of the initial mystery is lost, as is the strength of the plot. It remains fun, but it’s far less mysterious and captivating than the original. Humor plays a much more central role here, making it a lighter film than the first, which felt more sophisticated, stylized, and, above all, had a much stronger script and story. While not displeasing, Another Simple Favor doesn’t fully convince due to its script and because, fundamentally, it’s a much slower-paced, more humorous follow-up with less mystery.
Enjoy the movie.
Where to Watch ‘Another Simple Favor’
