‘A Simple Favour’ is a surprising thriller and dark comedy that's not as simple as it seems [Review]

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Nicola Chan |
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Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively make a great lead pair in A Simple Favour, a dark comedy/mystery thriller with some witty jokes when you least expect it.

The film opens with single mum and vlogger Stephanie (Kendrick) talking about the sudden disappearance of her best friend Emily (Lively), a high-profile working mum, before cutting back to flashbacks of how they became friends.

Stephanie begins to investigate what’s happened to her friend, and teams up with Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding). They tell the police, who launch a search, and find a body in a lake.

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After spending so much time together, Stephanie and Sean start to fall in love, while traces of Emily’s presence mysteriously lurk around.

The dynamic between the two women of contrasting personalities is really what makes the movie. Kendrick brings to life the trusting and selfless mother, while Lively convincingly plays the sophisticated and manipulative psychopath.

Riddled with clever plot twists, the narrative is strongly built and believable for the most part, despite a few logical flaws. This adaptation of Darcey Bell’s novel of the same name is thoroughly entertaining, keeping the audience on edge while tickling them with dark humour.

Contains strong language and adult scenes

Edited by Nicole Moraleda

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