Another Simple Favor Review: Insanity at Its Peak

Another Simple Favor Review: This Prime Video black comedy mystery film returns with Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson reuniting after the last film’s shocking events. This time, Emily is marrying a handsome businessman on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, but of course, things get very messy very soon!

The film has a runtime of 153 minutes and is a sequel to 2018’s A Simple Favor.

Another Simple Favor Review

It’s not everyday that I find myself consistently smirking throughout a movie thanks to its absurdity and general, casual disrespect thrown about. However, Another Simple Favor does a great job of engaging us with its goofy antics from start to end and Emily and Stephanie’s odd, contentuous relationship is both oddly satisfying and very cringy. Either way, the film’s a hoot and a half and one that is thoroughly enjoyable.

So, what is Another Simple Favor about? Murder and mayhem are back, and this time it’s in Italy as Stephanie is roped into Emily’s marriage and someone very close ends up dead. Of course, true crime-loving Stephanie jumps right into trying to solve the mysterious death while also digging into Emily’s past more and what follows is absolutely shocking for this “full-time mom”.

Of course, with a movie based in Italy, one of the characters must be Michele Morrone, who is some sort of a crime boss/mafia type, and he is exactly that here as well. Not much of a character, nor personality, just screaming, a lot of scowling, and everyone calling him hot. Maybe that’s for the best, but what an odd thing to be typecast about. I think I am both annoyed and amused by how many women love the idea of Morrone playing terrible people and wish for that in their lives. What an odd thing to be fascinated with!

However, what this insane film gets right is that it truly runs with its insanity — just a full-on sprint. I love how it dares to be just absolutely insane at every point without so much as an acknowledgement about how insane it is, and it’s fantastic to watch it unfold. If you get too deep into it, the film would be really annoying and thoroughly illogical, which it totally is, but it’s a fun, forgettable time as well. As a fun night with friends, it’s perfect, but it’s very little else than that.

Kendrick and Lively’s chemistry is the best part of this film, whose storyline goes from unbelievable to more unbelievable with every passing minute. I couldn’t figure out the point of the 2+ hours runtime — the film has nothing to justify it. It’s just one silly, extreme point to the next and is like a fever dream that keeps on playing minute after minute. I am not sure how to exactly describe the insanity of the film; maybe a few martinis would help with the experience.

What really works in the film’s favour is its fantastic cast, who do a great job of entertaining you and are best when you watch them perform rather than try to find any logic. Everyone brings their A game to the table, and being such a women-led film makes for a fun time. It’s like a fun girls’ vacation full of booze. You know you are having fun, but you don’t know why or how, and you come back home feeling satisfied but loopy. It’s that, but crazier.

Final Thoughts

Another Simple Favor is something… It’s not particularly good by any means, but it’s extremely funny with fantastic performances. I loved watching Kendrick and Lively together, and that’s half the battle won. The plot is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind during this. Having some alcohol nearby for a great experience.

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