A Simple Favor Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mommy vlogger’s simple favor turns into a complex web of lies, insurance fraud, and incest, ultimately solved through the power of live-streaming and a hidden camera.

🍿 A Simple Favor: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Stephanie and Emily’s Unlikely Friendship

Stephanie Smothers, a widowed single mother and enthusiastic vlogger, finds an unexpected friend in Emily Nelson, a sophisticated and enigmatic PR executive. Their sons attend the same elementary school, leading to playdates and martinis. The two women, seemingly polar opposites, begin to confide in each other, sharing their deepest secrets and insecurities.

Emily’s Disappearance and Stephanie’s Investigation

One day, Emily asks Stephanie for a ‘simple favor’: to pick up her son, Nicky, from school. However, Emily vanishes without a trace. Concerned, Stephanie embarks on an amateur investigation, using her vlog to gather clues and keep the public informed. As she delves deeper, she uncovers dark secrets about Emily’s past and present, questioning everything she thought she knew about her friend.

Secrets Unveiled: Infidelity, Insurance, and a Dark Past

Stephanie’s investigation leads her to discover that Emily was not who she seemed to be. She learns of Emily’s financial troubles, her husband Sean’s writer’s block, and a substantial life insurance policy taken out on Emily. The investigation takes a shocking turn when a body is found, presumed to be Emily, leading to a wave of grief and a surprising romance between Stephanie and Sean.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick): A widowed, cheerful mommy vlogger who investigates the disappearance of her secretive best friend.
• Emily Nelson (Blake Lively): A glamorous and mysterious PR executive who disappears after asking Stephanie for a simple favor.
• Sean Townsend (Henry Golding): Emily’s husband, a writer and professor, who becomes entangled in the mystery of his wife’s disappearance.
• Nicky Nelson (Ian Ho): Emily’s son, whose care becomes the initial ‘simple favor’ and a key to unraveling the mystery.
• Diana Hyland (Linda Cardellini): An artist from Emily’s past who provides crucial information about her true identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Emily: “Brotherfucker” – A recurring insult Emily uses to describe someone she dislikes or disapproves of.
• Stephanie: “I’m not sure if I am her or I want to be her.” – Stephanie says this to sum up her confusing feelings about Emily when she goes missing.
• Emily: “That’s what I do, Stephanie. I drink and I know things.” – Emily playfully alludes to Tyrion Lannister from ‘Game of Thrones,’ showcasing her sharp and knowing personality.
• Stephanie: “I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. But mostly I’m sorry that you’re so basic.” – Stephanie uses this cutting line to confront Emily, showing how she’s evolved throughout the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $53,548,586
• Worldwide Gross: $97,644,617

💥 A Simple Favor Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a fun thriller, and while it had its moments, the tonal shifts were a bit jarring. The first half was pure dark comedy gold, but the ending felt rushed and a little too ridiculous. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively were fantastic, though, and made it worth the watch. I especially loved the opening credit sequence with the French music – so stylish! Overall, it was an entertaining ride, but not one I’d rush to rewatch. The ending was really strange and kind of unbelievable, but I was still entertained.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy mystery thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate stylish and suspenseful films”
  • “Adults looking for a movie with unexpected twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual content”
  • “Depiction of murder and deceit”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “A tonal mishmash. Imagine Gone Girl directed by Paul Feig, or better yet, don’t. The story here is far-fetched, overcooked and unravels in such a haste that it’s hard to treat much of it seriously.
• IMDB: “This was one of the worst movies I’ve seen in awhile. The plot was ridiculous, it worked neither as a ‘mystery suspense thriller’ (what I thought I was going to see) nor a comedy. The characters were over the top and it was evident the writers thought the dialogue was way more clever than it was.
• IMDB: “Greetings again from the darkness. In the vein of Gillian Flynn/David Fincher’s GONE GIRL and Paula Hawkins/Tate Taylor’s THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN comes yet another vanishing woman mystery. This latest is based on Darcey Bell’s novel (screenplay by Jessica Sharzer), only this time the biggest twist comes with the selection of Paul Feig as director.

Audience Reactions

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick had amazing chemistry.: The casting was perfect, and the lead actresses delivered standout performances.

Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing until the end.: The plot was mysterious and suspenseful, with unexpected surprises.

A great dark comedy: Witty dialog and a truly great dark comedy

Overall Consensus: A Simple Favor is a stylish and entertaining dark comedy-thriller with great performances from its leads, but some find the tonal shifts and convoluted plot to be a bit jarring.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Paul Feig chose to shoot the film like a bright comedy to accentuate the contrast between the scary and funny elements.”
• “The film’s opening credit sequence and French pop soundtrack were intentionally stylish, drawing inspiration from classic noir films.”
• “Rupert Friend’s character, Dennis Nylon, was inspired by characters from the movie Zoolander.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Simple Favor?

A Simple Favor is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video with a subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand via Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Simple Favor, you might like these similar films:

• Gone Girl (2014): Both films explore dark secrets, unreliable narrators, and shocking twists within seemingly perfect relationships.
• The Girl on the Train (2016): Features a missing person, a web of lies, and a protagonist uncovering hidden truths about those around her.
• Knives Out (2019): A modern murder mystery with a comedic edge and an ensemble cast of suspicious characters, focusing on uncovering hidden motives.
• Mean Girls (2004): Explores the darker side of female relationships, cliques, and social manipulation within a comedic framework.

🛒 A Simple Favor Related Products

• A Simple Favor: A Novel: The novel by Darcey Bell that inspired the movie. Get deeper into the story and discover more about the characters.
• Martini Cocktail Shaker Set: A professional bartender set for mixing martinis, inspired by Emily’s signature drink.
• Black Suit for Women: Inspired by Blake Lively’s character’s impeccable fashion sense, a stylish black suit.
• Cooking Vlog Starter Kit: Everything needed to start a cooking vlog, inspired by Stephanie’s online presence.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Simple Favor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ça s’est Arrangé” – performed by Jean-Paul Keller
• “Music to Watch Girls By” – performed by The Brian Setzer Orchestra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Simple Favor is GOOFY – Let Me Explain

Hey! I found this video that takes a closer look at ‘A Simple Favor.’ It points out some of the goofier aspects of the movie, which I found really interesting. If you’re looking for a different perspective on the film, check this out!

Blake Lively & Anna Kendrick on ‘A Simple Favor’ & Working w/ Paul Feig | CinemaCon | MTV News

This interview with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick is a great way to get insights into the movie. They talk about their characters, working with Paul Feig, and more. If you’re a fan of the movie or just curious about the behind-the-scenes, this is a must-watch!

Blake Lively opens up about parenting and kissing Anna Kendrick in ‘A Simple Favor’

In this interview, Blake Lively talks about her role in ‘A Simple Favor,’ her experience working with Anna Kendrick, and even teases a possible ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ reboot. It’s a fun and engaging interview, definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the movie or Blake Lively!

✨ Rate