Paul Feig is back. That’s basically the headline for anyone who spent 2018 obsessed with the martini-swilling, sharp-suited chaos of the first film. When news broke that Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively were returning for a follow-up, the internet immediately started obsessing over the another simple favor rating and whether lightning could strike twice in the same gin bottle. Sequels are notoriously tricky, especially when the first movie relied so heavily on a specific, biting tone that mixed suburban satire with genuine "wait, what just happened?" noir elements.
Movies like this live or die on vibes. Honestly, the first A Simple Favor was a sleeper hit because it didn't take itself too seriously, yet the craft was impeccable. Now, with the sequel moving the action to the sun-drenched backdrop of Italy for a high-society wedding, the stakes for the critical and audience reception are higher. People aren't just looking for a repeat; they want that same acidic wit scaled up.
The Critics Weigh In: Breaking Down the Numbers
It’s complicated. If you look at how people are talking about the another simple favor rating, you’ll notice a split between those who want more of the same and those who expected a massive evolution. Early critical aggregate scores tend to hover in that "fresh" territory, but they rarely hit the universal acclaim of a prestige drama. That’s okay. This isn't Oppenheimer. It’s a stylish romp.
Most professional reviewers point to the chemistry between Kendrick’s Stephanie and Lively’s Emily as the saving grace. Even if the plot gets a little "knotty," as some critics put it, the central dynamic holds firm. You've got Stephanie, the over-eager mommy vlogger who has clearly seen some things now, clashing again with Emily’s effortless, terrifying elegance. Some reviewers have noted that the sequel leans harder into the comedy than the thriller elements, which has slightly softened the rating among "hardcore" noir fans but boosted it for casual Friday-night viewers.
Why Audience Scores Often Tell a Different Story
Regular people usually like these movies more than the folks writing for trade magazines. It's a fact. When we look at the another simple favor rating from a purely audience-driven perspective, the metrics often lean toward "highly entertaining."
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Why? Because the audience isn't checking for "thematic consistency" or "pacing issues in the second act." They want to see what Blake Lively is wearing. They want to see Anna Kendrick say something awkward. The sequel delivers on the aesthetic front, and in the age of Instagram and TikTok, "aesthetic" is a huge driver of positive sentiment. The Italian setting—think Capri vibes, expensive boats, and even more expensive linen—adds a layer of escapism that the first film's suburban setting lacked. This luxury pivot has helped keep the audience interest high, even when the mystery elements feel a bit familiar.
The "Sequel Curse" and Critical Skepticism
There is a historical bias. Critics are often harder on comedy-thriller sequels because the "surprise" factor is gone. In the original, we didn't know Emily was a chaotic mastermind. In the sequel, we’re waiting for the rug-pull. This expectation can actually lower a movie's rating because it's harder to shock an audience that's already looking for the twist.
- The original film benefitted from being an underdog.
- The sequel carries the weight of a $100 million+ box office predecessor.
- Expectations for the soundtrack and fashion are now sky-high.
Comparing the Metrics: First vs. Second
If you compare the another simple favor rating to the 2018 original, you see a trend common in the Paul Feig filmography. Feig knows how to please a crowd, but his sequels (when he does them or follows that spirit) often trade some of the "edge" for "fun." The first movie had a Rotten Tomatoes score in the high 80s. Keeping a sequel in that range is a monumental task.
What’s interesting is how the international markets are reacting. European audiences, particularly in Italy and France, have given the sequel a warmer reception, likely due to the Mediterranean setting and the film’s nod to classic European "caper" cinema. This global bump helps stabilize the overall rating even if domestic critics are being a bit more cynical about the plot's complexity.
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The Darcey Bell Factor
We have to talk about the source material. Or the lack thereof. The first film was based on Darcey Bell’s novel. This time around, the writers are playing in a sandbox they built themselves. This shift from adaptation to original screenplay usually changes the "feel" of a movie. Some fans of the book felt the first movie was already a departure, so the another simple favor rating for the sequel reflects a total embrace of the movie's own internal logic rather than trying to satisfy literary purists.
It’s bolder. It’s weirder. It’s more colorful.
What Actually Drives the "Another Simple Favor" Rating?
It's not just the script. It's the "it" factor. Blake Lively’s performance as Emily Nelson has become a bit of a cult icon. The suits, the martinis, the casual disregard for human life—it’s a vibe. When people go to rate the movie on IMDb or Letterboxd, they aren't just rating a story; they’re rating how much they enjoyed spending two hours in Emily’s world again.
- Costume Design: Honestly, the clothes probably add at least 10% to the positive sentiment.
- Music: The French pop influence remains, which gives the film a distinct sonic identity.
- Humor: Stephanie’s vlogging evolution provides a meta-commentary on internet culture that resonates with younger viewers.
Real Talk on the Plot
The plot involves Emily's wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Or is it a scam? Or is she being scammed? That's the core of the mystery. While some find the resolution a bit tidy, the journey there is filled with enough snarky dialogue to keep the another simple favor rating from dipping into "disappointing" territory. It stays firmly in the "fun sequel" category.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you’re looking at the ratings and trying to decide if it's worth the watch, stop overthinking it. This is a movie made for fans of the original.
Watch it if:
You loved the fashion and the chemistry between the leads. You want a "vacation movie" that doesn't require a high IQ but rewards you for paying attention to the snark. You enjoy Paul Feig’s specific brand of female-led comedy.
Skip it if:
You’re looking for a gritty, realistic crime thriller. If you thought the first movie was "too much," the sequel is definitely "more much."
How to contribute to the discourse:
When you leave your own another simple favor rating on social media or review sites, focus on the "tone." Does it capture the spirit of the first one? Most people find that it does, even if the mystery isn't quite as airtight.
The best way to experience the film is to re-watch the original first. It refreshes the memory on the deep-seated resentment and weird friendship between Stephanie and Emily. Then, go into the sequel expecting a party rather than a lecture. The rating reflects that—it’s a high-energy, stylish, slightly messy, and very entertaining follow-up that knows exactly what its audience wants.
Check the latest streaming availability or theater times. Ratings fluctuate as more people see the film, so the most accurate "score" is often the one that settles about three weeks after the wide release. By then, the "stan" energy has leveled out and the "hater" energy has moved on to the next big release.