Is A Simple Favour Worth Watching? Plot, Cast, Twist Explained

There’s a reason people keep circling back to A Simple Favor long after the credits roll — it wraps a glossy, suburban mystery around a genuinely clever knot. Directed by Paul Feig and released in 2018, the film earned 84% on the Tomatometer (Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus) and grossed $97.6 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. If you’re deciding whether to stream it, or just need the twist explained, here’s everything to know.

“Twisty, twisted, and above all simply fun” — Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84% (Tomatometer) ·
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 ·
Box Office: $97.6 million ·
Budget: $20 million ·
Release Year: 2018

Here’s a concise overview of the film’s production and classification details.

Is A Simple Favor on Netflix worth watching?

What is the Rotten Tomatoes score?

A Simple Favor holds an 84% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 71% audience score. On IMDb (user-driven movie database), it sits at 6.8/10.

How does it compare to other thrillers?

Standing alongside similar suburban-noir entries like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, A Simple Favor trades bleakness for high-gloss style. Rotten Tomatoes classifies it as a mystery-thriller-comedy hybrid, and its 84% score beats comparable mid-budget thrillers that often score in the 60–70% range. The trade-off: some viewers report plot holes in the third act, and the dark humor isn’t everyone’s taste.

The pattern: A Simple Favor succeeds because it never pretends to be a straight thriller — it’s a comedy that respects its mystery, which is exactly why it holds up on rewatch.

What actually happened in A Simple Favor?

What was the plot twist?

Widowed single mother and mommy-vlogger Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) befriends the polished, enigmatic Emily Nelson (Blake Lively). When Emily disappears after asking Stephanie for a “simple favor” to pick up her son from school, Stephanie begins investigating Emily’s past — and discovers a labyrinth of lies. Rotten Tomatoes summarizes the setup as “suburban Connecticut mommy-vlogger world” collapsing into a disappearance conspiracy.

Why did Emily fake her death?

Emily faked her own death to escape her husband Sean (Henry Golding), who had been involved in an insurance fraud scheme tied to his late brother’s murder. She doesn’t die in the river — she’s been hiding out in Canada, preparing for a new identity. Wikipedia documents the central twist: Emily’s apparently perfect life was built on fraud, deception, and a willingness to kill.

What actually happened to Emily?

By the final act, Emily survives, and Stephanie — having pieced together the truth — chooses not to expose her entirely. The film closes with an uneasy peace: Stephanie keeps some secrets, Emily returns to society on her own terms, and the bond between the two women remains complicated.

The implication: The film’s narrative structure — an unreliable narrator who turns out to be more reliable than the victim — inverts the typical thriller formula. Stephanie’s innocence becomes the real weapon.

“It’s a mommy noir,” says director Paul Feig.

Was A Simple Favour based on a true story?

Where does the story come from?

No — the story is entirely fictional. A Simple Favor is based on the 2017 novel by author Darcey Bell (Wikipedia). Bell wrote the book as a homage to classic noir storytelling, drawing from domestic suspense traditions rather than real events. The novel itself mixes unreliable perspectives and letters to deepen the mystery.

What else?

Some viewers confuse the film’s fictional suburb with true-crime cases like the disappearance of Laci Peterson, but there is no connection. Wikipedia confirms the novel and screenplay are original works of fiction.

Why this matters: Because the film feels so grounded in recognizable suburban details — vlogging, school drop-offs, polished kitchens — the “based on true events” rumor spreads easily. In reality, its power comes from pure invention, not reportage.

Did Blake Lively play both twins in A Simple Favor?

Who else is in the cast?

Blake Lively plays only one character: Emily Nelson. No twin roles exist in the film; any confusion stems from the plot’s backstory, where Emily mentions having a twin. Anna Kendrick plays Stephanie, and Henry Golding plays Sean. Rotten Tomatoes lists the full cast including Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, and Ian Ho.

Does Anna Kendrick like Blake Lively?

Both actors described the shoot positively in press for the film. No public conflict has been reported. Rotten Tomatoes notes only professional synergy — no drama off-screen.

The catch: The twin rumor persists because of a single line of dialogue about Emily’s sister, amplified by social media. The film never actually shows or uses the twin as a plot device — it’s a red herring.

Is there a sequel to A Simple Favor?

When is A Simple Favor 2 coming out?

A sequel titled Another Simple Favor premiered at SXSW 2025 and arrived on Prime Video on May 1, 2025, according to Mamas Geeky. The sequel moves the action to Capri, Italy, where Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman becomes the new mystery engine.

Who will return in the sequel?

Paul Feig returns as director, with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprising their roles. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the core cast’s return and teased a “bigger, bloodier, international” tone. As of writing, no official release date has been set beyond the streaming window.

What this means: Another Simple Favor is a direct continuation of the original’s universe, not a reboot. For fans of the first film, the sequel offers more of the same chemistry — but with a risk of overcomplication.

Pros and Cons of A Simple Favor

The trade-off: You get a glossy, clever mystery with two great leads, but the third act asks you to forgive some logical leaps. For fans of style-driven noir, it’s a bargain.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: For viewers who appreciate smart, dark comedies with a mystery spine, A Simple Favor is a clear yes. For those who need airtight plot logic and a tidy conclusion, the trade-off may not be worth it. The sequel’s arrival means now is the perfect time to revisit — or discover — Paul Feig’s sharpest genre film.

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