“Another Simple Favor” (2025)
“Tedious” is the best word I can think of to describe “Another Simple Favor.”
I thought the original 2018 film “A Simple Favor” was fun, but not material that warranted a sequel, and I can see why this sequel releasing on streaming instead of taking the risk on putting it in theaters.
“Another Simple Favor” picks up a few years after the original, with Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) having published a book about her exploits with Emily (Blake Lively). The book release timing coincides with Emily getting released from jail thanks to the bottomless resources of her mysterious new fiance.
In a move that is part desperation and part legal threat, Emily asks Stephanie to be her maid of honor and whisks her away to Capri. Naturally, hijinks ensue.
This movie takes violent leaps and stretches that are almost as wild as some of the looks Lively wears (a striped hat and an all-black ensemble immediately spring to mind).
At the same time, it takes a while to get there, and the pace doesn’t really pick up until the last 20 minutes or so.
Henry Golding also reappears as Sean (Emily’s ex-husband), and his performance is an absolute lightning rod and my favorite part of the film (other than Lively’s outlandish looks).
Other than the lightning, looks and landscape of Capri, I can’t really recommend this unnecessary sequel. If I could pick a different Paul Feig sequel, I’d rather have “Spy” or even the much clamored-after “Bridesmaids.”