A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor is a 2018 psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig, starring Anna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers and Blake Lively as Emily Nelson. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Diane McKay. The story begins with our protagonist, Stephanie Smothers, a dedicated and popular vlogger who is also a mother to her young son, Miles. Stephanie's life is one of monotony and routine, revolving around her job as an Events Coordinator at a middle school and taking care of her family. When she stumbles upon Emily Nelson, an enigmatic and alluring woman who is also the mother of Nicky, Miles' friend and classmate at school, Stephanie is intrigued by Emily's sophisticated demeanor and seemingly idyllic life. As Stephanie and Emily exchange pleasantries and become fast friends, Emily reveals her seemingly glamorous and high-society life, showcasing the beauty and opulence of her home, as well as her designer outfits and jewelry. Emily's sons, Nicky and Henry, are charming and well-mannered, which adds to Emily's aura of perfection. However, it soon becomes apparent that beneath Emily's façade lies a complex and troubled individual, whose life is shrouded in secrets and mystery. The storyline takes a dramatic turn when Emily asks Stephanie, seemingly out of the blue, to pick up Nicky from school and take care of him for the day. However, when Stephanie follows Emily's instructions and arrives at school to pick up Nicky, she finds out that Emily has vanished. Frightened and worried for Nicky's well-being, Stephanie tries to reach out to Emily, but her phones and other contact methods are all dead. Eventually, without any knowledge of Emily's whereabouts, Stephanie decides to send Miles to Emily's house to keep an eye on things while she goes to Nicky's school, so as not to raise any suspicion around school. Stephanie's encounter with Emily's missing persons' disappearance finally pushes her out of her passive and mild character, leading her to embark on an investigation to unravel the mysteries of Emily's life and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. As Stephanie digs deeper, she discovers a web of deceit, and secrets hidden beneath Emily's sleek and polished exterior. With the help of her best friend, Diana (played by Rachel Zoe), Stephanie starts to follow the trail of clues that will take her on a journey that is full of suspense and intrigue. Throughout her investigation, Stephanie stumbles upon several pieces of information that suggest Emily's life was far from perfect. Emily was hiding secrets related to her marriage and was desperate to keep them under wraps, even going so far as to orchestrate a carefully constructed facade for her family. As Stephanie gets closer to the truth about Emily's past, she also begins to uncover a series of tragic events that led to Emily's seemingly idyllic life unravelling. Through her investigation, it becomes clear that Stephanie is driven not just by a desire to uncover the truth about Emily's disappearance but also by a deep-seated need to vindicate herself and find meaning and significance in her own mundane life. Stephanie's transformation from a quiet and timid homemaker to a fierce and determined detective is both fascinating and captivating. Blake Lively's portrayal of Emily Nelson is mesmerizing, and her actress's incredible range allows her to portray the complexities and nuances of this enigmatic character. Kendrick shines as the more down-to-earth and lovable character of Stephanie, whose transformation is both nuanced and engaging. The film's climax is a shocking reveal of secrets about Emily's marriage, which ultimately led to her disappearance. Stephanie, with the aid of her web sleuth skills, manages to decipher clues that ultimately uncover Emily's true intentions and her past. With this thrilling conclusion, Stephanie ultimately finds peace and vindication in the realization that her carefully constructed online persona is miles better than Emily's, highlighting the key difference between outer appearances and true character.