Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s episode. We’re diving into A Simple Favor and its sequel Another Simple Favor — two stylish, twisty thrillers that sit at the intersection of dark comedy, mystery, and melodrama. But behind the glamour and plot turns lies an interesting story of studio strategy, financial risk, and evolving distribution models.
Let’s start with the original. A Simple Favor (2018) is directed by Paul Feig, from a screenplay by Jessica Sharzer, and stars Anna Kendrick as Stephanie and Blake Lively as Emily. The film is based on the 2017 novel by Darcey Bell. Its budget was modest — around 20 million dollars — and it went on to gross nearly 98 million worldwide. Critics generally responded well, with a Metacritic score in the high 60s and audiences giving it a CinemaScore of B+. Rotten Tomatoes praised it as “twisty, twisted, and above all simply fun.” Part of the allure is the tone: it plays like a “mommy noir” — elegant, sharp, with sharply drawn characters and unpredictable turns. It was a strong showing for a midtier studio film, and helped cement A Simple Favor as a cult favorite in the thriller and women-driven mystery niche.
Fast forward to 2025, and we have Another Simple Favor. This sequel is not based on a book — unlike the original, it’s an original screenplay by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis. The production is a co-venture: Lionsgate still participates, but distribution shifted. Another Simple Favor was released on Amazon Prime Video rather than in theaters, with Amazon MGM handling distribution. Filming took place in 2024, in locations like Capri and the Villa Adriana in Italy. Critically, the sequel has earned mixed reviews. Some praise Lively’s magnetic presence, gorgeous costumes, and the ambition of the story's escalation. But others argue it feels overstuffed, that pacing sags in parts, and that it lacks some of the tightness or novelty of the first film. One reviewer summed it up: “It works better when its characters are just allowed to be marvelous instead of mysterious.” It also premiered at SXSW in March 2025 before its streaming release on May 1. The fact that its home is Prime Video, rather than a theatrical run, signals some of the shifting business realities behind studio films — especially for sequels that may carry higher risk.
These two films provide an ideal case study in how creative ambition, risk, and studio strategy collide. The first film was a midbudget gamble that paid off. The second gives us lessons in modern distribution, content partnerships, and the pressures on midsize studios to share risk or cede control with streaming giants.
Tonight, we’re going to compare the narratives, the characters, the successes and stumbles — but also look behind the curtain: how studios like Lionsgate are navigating a volatile business environment, why a sequel would skip theaters, and whether the shift in approach gives Another Simple Favor an edge or a handicap.
So grab your martini, or mocktail — let’s get into A Simple Favor and Another Simple Favor.
Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.
Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:
https://linktr.ee/markkind76
also
https://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-network
FB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSW
Tiktok: @markradulich
twitter: @MarkRadulich
Instagram: markkind76
RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59
