Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Stephanie, a dedicated mother and popular vlogger, befriends Emily, a mysterious upper-class woman whose son Nicky attends the same school as Miles, Stephanie's son. When Emily asks her to pick Nicky up from school and then disappears, Stephanie undertakes an investigation that will dive deep into Emily's cloudy past.
A Simple Favor is elevated primarily by its two leads — Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively deliver sharp, committed performances that crackle with chemistry, turning what could be a standard thriller into something genuinely entertaining. The dark comedic tone and satirical skewering of suburban mommy-blog culture give it a distinct voice early on. However, the plot, while propulsive and fun in its first two acts, begins to buckle under the weight of its own twists, piling on reversals that strain credibility. The ending in particular feels overstuffed and tonally uncertain, undermining the taut mystery built up before it. Cinematography is competent and stylish but not exceptional. The novelty lies mainly in its tonal blend rather than any truly original conception.