In 2018’s A Simple Favor, suburban mommy vlogger Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) befriends the enigmatic Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), a martini-slinging fashion icon who vanishes under mysterious circumstances—leaving behind her son, her secrets, and a whole lot of murder. The film, based on Darcey Bell’s novel, was directed by Paul Feig and quickly earned cult status for its campy tone, bisexual tension, and Lively’s unforgettable three-piece suits.
Now, Feig is back with Another Simple Favor, a sequel that doubles down on the queer-coded chaos, couture, and criminal intrigue—but it almost didn’t happen.
“I tried to kill it many times,” Feig told Pride. “I was so afraid we were going to screw it up. But thank goodness, Laura Fischer, my producing partner, just kept pushing me.”
The second film picks up with Stephanie as a published true crime author, only to be drawn back into Emily’s orbit when she’s invited to attend (and help plan!) Emily’s wedding in Italy. Yes, she’s somehow free despite being convicted of multiple crimes—including attempted murder.
A Queer Dynamic That’s Impossible to Ignore
One of the standout moments from the first film was the unexpected kiss between Emily and Stephanie, which ignited conversation and memes across queer internet.
“I love that moment in the first movie,” Feig said. “It’s so beautiful and unexpected and completely justified. Their sexuality is so fluid with their personalities in a way that feels very real to me.”
That tension isn’t just hinted at—it’s foundational. “They are two people who complete each other—and they hate that they complete each other,” Feig said. “That’s why they’re so interesting. If they were best friends, the movie would get really boring.”
Rather than trying to top the kiss in the sequel, Feig leaned into the characters’ chemistry in new ways. “We wanted to have that dynamic in this but not make it feel copycat. It’s a different thing, but kind of the same thing at the same time.”
How the Sequel Came to Life
The idea for a sequel wasn’t immediate. “The seed got planted during the pandemic when the movie started getting watched a lot on streaming,” Feig explained. “There was interest from outside about possibly doing a sequel, and I normally don’t do sequels. But I just thought—these characters are great. I love working with Blake and Anna.”
The final push came from a single story twist. “That was when I went, okay, this is going to be fun—because it surprised even me when we came up with it,” Feig said.
Adding to the intrigue, the film weaves in callbacks to the original. “One of our writers said, ‘You’ve got this thing from the first movie,’ and we hadn’t even thought of it. That changed everything,” Feig said.
Meet the Cast
The sequel reunites the original cast, including Henry Golding as Emily’s ex-husband Sean, who gets a far more sinister arc this time. “We told Henry, ‘We’re going to make you kind of a shitty guy this time,’” Feig laughed. “He said, ‘Make me the worst guy ever. Give me a terrible death.’ I said, ‘Okay, we can do that.’”
Though Jean Smart couldn’t return due to scheduling, Feig filled her absence with veteran scene-stealer Elizabeth Perkins. “She just killed it,” he said. “She’s so funny and so good at playing this weird character.” Feig also brought in Tony Award winner and queer icon Alex Newell as Stephanie’s assistant.
Where Emily and Stephanie Stand Now
Feig was determined not to backslide the characters. “Stephanie went through the fire with Emily the first time—and won,” he said. “So she’s more mature, more advanced. When Emily comes back into her life, she’s shocked, but she’s ready to take her on.”
And while their dynamic remains as volatile as ever, Feig confirmed it’s exactly what audiences crave. “We once screened a version where they were actual friends, and audiences hated it. They didn’t want them bonded. They wanted that tension.”
Feig summed it up perfectly: “Drama and comedy are all about conflict. And even when they’re trying to connect, something always gets in the way. It’s like a great marriage—except, you know, with attempted murder.”
How Gay Is It?
“I was thrilled by how much queer audiences connected to the first film,” Feig said. “It’s such an important audience to us, and we wanted to bring even more of that energy into the sequel.”
As for the question of whether this sequel was made for queer fans?
Feig smiled. “That’s always my hope.”
Another Simple Favor is streaming now on Prime Video. Watch the full interview below.
