A Simple Favor

Stephanie Smothers is a devoted single mother who uses her popular blog to share everyday life with her hometown audience. At a school event, she befriends Emily Nelson, a polished, charismatic woman whose quietly dangerous vibe draws both curiosity and envy. When Emily asks Stephanie to pick up her son Nicky from school, she agrees, only for Emily to vanish soon after, leaving behind a flutter of unanswered questions. As Stephanie starts digging, she finds herself pulled into a web of secrets and polished facades that blur the line between neighborly help and dangerous deception. The more she uncovers, the more precarious her own life becomes. Her blog posts mix mom tips with humor. The stakes feel truly personal now.

Directed by Paul Feig, the film adapts Darcey Bell's novel with a screenplay by Jessica Sharzer, delivering a thriller that blends witty dialogue with sharp mystery and a pinch of dark humor that keeps you guessing, after premiering at TIFF.

Worldwide box office reached about 97,644,617 dollars, against a 20 million dollar budget, marking a solid return for a stylish thriller that fuses comedy with suspense and gives audiences a glossy, twisty ride from start to finish. It performed well.

Emily Nelson's sharp wardrobe and icy command became talking points, helping the film stand out in a crowded thriller landscape. The movie sparked social media chatter about twin identities and the tension between friendly matchmaking and manipulation, reinforcing the idea that appearances hide dangerous depths. Mood stays glossy and unsettling.

Critics praised the film for its breezy tone, crisp pacing, and the performances of Kendrick and Lively. Some noted the way the movie skewers social pretensions, while delivering solid thrills. The story invites discussions about trust, identity, and the cost of secrecy in modern fame. That tension lingers after credits.