Movie Review: A Simple Favor – A Twisty, Stylish Thriller with Killer Performances
Quick Facts
| Title | A Simple Favor |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Director | Paul Feig |
| Cast | Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding |
| Genre | Mystery/Thriller, Dark Comedy |
| Runtime | 1h 57m |
| Rating | R (for language, sexual content, and violence) |
| Where to Watch | Amazon Prime, Apple TV, VOD |
Plot Summary
Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick), a perky mommy vlogger, befriends the enigmatic and glamorous Emily Nelson (Blake Lively). When Emily mysteriously disappears after asking Stephanie for “a simple favor”—picking up her son from school—Stephanie launches her own investigation. But as she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets, twisted lies, and a web of deception that puts her own life at risk.
Review: What Works & What Doesn’t
✅ The Good
✔ Blake Lively & Anna Kendrick’s Electric Chemistry – Lively oozes icy sophistication, while Kendrick plays link sbobet the naive but determined Stephanie perfectly. Their dynamic is the film’s biggest strength.
✔ A Stylish, Hitchcockian Vibe – With its sleek fashion, moody cinematography, and jazzy soundtrack, the film feels like a modern Gone Girl meets Gossip Girl.
✔ Twists You Won’t See Coming – Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the movie throws another curveball. The final act is deliciously chaotic.
✔ Dark Humor That Lands – The script balances tension with laugh-out-loud moments, especially from Kendrick’s awkward but lovable Stephanie.
❌ The Not-So-Good
✖ Some Plot Holes – A few twists stretch believability, and the ending might leave some viewers scratching their heads.
✖ Pacing Dips in the Middle – The investigation drags slightly before ramping up again in the third act.
Standout Performances
🌟 Blake Lively as Emily Nelson – Cool, calculating, and effortlessly chic. Lively slot garansi kekalahan 100 saldo kembali steals every scene.
🌟 Anna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers – A hilarious yet heartfelt performance that proves Kendrick’s range.
🌟 Henry Golding as Sean Townsend – A charming but suspicious husband with secrets of his own.
Final Verdict: Is A Simple Favor Worth Watching?
Rating: 4/5 ★★★★☆
If you love darkly funny thrillers with glamorous aesthetics and unpredictable twists, A Simple Favor is a must-watch. While not perfect, it’s a wildly entertaining ride thanks to its stellar cast and sharp script.
Best For Fans Of:
-
Gone Girl
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Gossip Girl (but with murder)
-
Dead to Me (Netflix series)
Where to Watch: Stream on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or rent on VOD.
Fun Facts & Easter Eggs
🔎 The film is based on Darcey Bell’s 2017 novel but takes creative liberties.
👗 Blake Lively’s power suits were inspired by 1960s French New Wave cinema.
🎵 The soundtrack features French pop and jazz, adding to the film’s chic vibe.
Tags:
#ASimpleFavor #MovieReview #BlakeLively #AnnaKendrick #ThrillerMovies #MysteryFilm