5 Reasons Critics Are Divided On 'Another Simple Favor': A Wild Sequel That's 'So Fun, Until It Gets So Dumb'

The long-awaited sequel, Another Simple Favor, has finally arrived, and the verdict is as twisty and complicated as the plot itself. Released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2025, following its premiere at the SXSW Festival in March 2025, the film reunites the iconic, stylish, and morally ambiguous duo of Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson for a new European adventure. Director Paul Feig attempts to recapture the black comedy and mystery magic of the 2018 original, but current critical reception is decidedly mixed, leading to a fascinating debate over whether the sequel is a worthy successor or an "exhausting, misguided" misstep.

As of late 2025, the film holds a Certified Fresh 70% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a decent, if flawed, cinematic experience, but the audience score tells a different story, suggesting a significant split in opinion. The core of the division lies in the sequel's audacious shift in setting and tone, trading the suburban noir of Connecticut for the sun-drenched chaos of a high-stakes Italian wedding involving the mafia.

The Core Ensemble and Creative Team: Who's Back for More Chaos?

The success of the original film was anchored by the electrifying chemistry and sharp performances of its two leads. The sequel wisely brings back the entire core cast, along with the director who helmed the first installment.

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Anna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers

• Role: Stephanie Smothers, the mommy-vlogger turned amateur detective.
• Key Detail: Kendrick’s performance is often cited as the emotional anchor of the franchise, portraying Stephanie's transformation from a naive, over-eager mother to a savvy, stylish accomplice.
• Sequel Arc: Stephanie follows Emily to Italy, becoming entangled in a new web of deceit and danger, often providing the comedic relief as the fish-out-of-water.

Blake Lively as Emily Nelson

• Role: Emily Nelson, the mysterious, sharp-tongued, and high-fashion PR executive.
• Key Detail: Lively’s portrayal of Emily is the source of the film's dark glamour and central mystery. Her wardrobe and commanding screen presence are a major draw.
• Sequel Arc: The plot centers around her extravagant wedding to a new, equally mysterious man on the island of Capri. Critics note that when Lively is off-screen, the film often loses its energy.

Paul Feig (Director)

• Notable Works: Bridesmaids, The Heat, Ghostbusters (2016), and the original A Simple Favor.
• Style: Feig is known for his blend of sharp comedy and strong female leads.
• Sequel Challenge: Reviewers suggest that in Another Simple Favor, Feig struggles to balance the film's competing tones—the European comedy and the pulpy thriller—leading to an "exhausting" feel.

Henry Golding as Sean Townsend

• Role: Sean Townsend, Emily's ex-husband and a former professor.
• Sequel Arc: Golding returns to the chaos, although his role is reportedly smaller as the focus shifts to Emily's new fiancé and the Italian setting.

The Plot, The Mafia, and The Italian Wedding Twist

The sequel picks up with Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson traveling to the stunning island of Capri, Italy. The reason for the trip is Emily's impending wedding to a new love interest: Dante, a handsome Italian heir.

The seemingly simple wedding quickly devolves into a classic Emily-style mess, as Dante is revealed to be the heir to a powerful—and dangerous—mafia empire. This introduces two major new entities to the franchise: Dante (played by Michele Morrone) and his formidable mother, Portia (played by Elena Sofia Ricci), the reluctant matriarch of the crime family.

What starts as a glamorous destination wedding turns into a mystery involving a missing groom, a high-stakes inheritance, and the duo’s desperate attempt to outwit a powerful Italian crime family. The plot is described as wildly convoluted, even by the standards of the first film, pushing the boundaries of plausibility and leaning heavily into farcical elements.

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5 Reasons Critics Are Divided on 'Another Simple Favor'

The critical response for the 2025 sequel is notably cooler than the 84% "fresh" rating the original film received. The consensus points to a sequel that tries too hard to be bigger, resulting in a loss of the original's snappier, more contained energy.

1. The Shift from Suburban Noir to European Farce

The original A Simple Favor was praised for its sharp, satirical take on suburban life, blending the mystery of a pulpy thriller with a dark comedy edge. Another Simple Favor completely abandons this setting for the sun-drenched, high-glamour chaos of Capri. Critics argue this shift sacrifices the grounded, relatable humor of the first film for a broader, more outlandish European comedy style that feels less focused.

2. The Overly Convoluted 'Mafia Wedding' Plot

The central plot involving Emily's wedding to a mafia heir, Dante, and the introduction of his crime family, is deemed too complex and ultimately "dumb" by some reviewers. While the first film thrived on its twists, the sequel's plot is seen as an exhausting series of events that forces the characters into unbelievable scenarios, squandering the predecessor's pulpy energy.

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3. Lively's Disappearing Act (Again)

A major criticism echoed from the first film is the tendency to sideline Blake Lively's Emily Nelson for extended periods. Reviewers note that Another Simple Favor makes the same mistake, forcing Lively out of the action for too long. The best scenes in the film, according to critics, are the ones where Kendrick and Lively are together, and their absence is keenly felt.

4. The Tone Struggles to Find Its Balance

Director Paul Feig’s attempt to fuse a stylish, high-fashion thriller with a slapstick, multi-layered European comedy results in a film that often feels like "multiple films fighting for space." The tonal inconsistency means the movie is entertaining and fun in bursts, but lacks the cohesive, satisfying flow of the original. It’s a movie "made for the Instagram set," prioritizing style over substance.

5. It's a Sequel That Feels Like 'Content,' Not Art

One of the most cutting critiques suggests that Another Simple Favor plays out the shift from genuine cinematic art to disposable streaming "content." While it’s likely to be a massive hit on Amazon Prime Video due to its binge-worthy nature and star power, some critics feel it lacks the thematic depth and sharp scripting that made the first film a surprising success. It’s an enjoyable, albeit flawed, movie designed for easy viewing.

The Final Verdict: Is 'Another Simple Favor' Worth Your Time?

Ultimately, Another Simple Favor is a sequel that delivers exactly what it promises: more of Stephanie and Emily’s signature chaos, just on a much larger, more extravagant scale. The film leans into the high-fashion, high-camp energy, making the most of the beautiful Italian locations and the undeniable chemistry between Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

If you loved the original film's stylish aesthetic and outlandish plot twists, and you are prepared for a sequel that doubles down on the silliness, you will likely enjoy this new installment. However, if you were hoping for a return to the tightly plotted, witty mystery of the first film, you may find the sequel an "exhausting" and "misguided" effort. It's a decent, flawed film that is best enjoyed as pure, escapist streaming entertainment.

The movie is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, offering a perfect, if polarizing, choice for a weekend watch.