Another Simple Favor exists to quadruple both of those plot twists and ramp up the shock value exponentially. But in doing so, the movie reveals its weaknesses, leaving us wanting the darker, trashier movie it could have been.
The Setup
Another Simple Favor finds Stephanie reunited with Emily when, at the urging of her agent (Alex Newell), she goes to Capri to celebrate her old friend’s wedding. Emily plans to marry Dante Versano (Michele Morrone), a mafioso who has proposed peace with the rival Bartolo family as a wedding present. Also present is Emily’s first husband (and Stephanie’s one-time lover) Sean (Henry Goulding), who has brought their son Nicky (Ian Ho) to witness.
Despite the beautiful setting, trouble rocks the lead up to Emily and Dante’s nuptials. Now a bitter drunk, Sean misses no opportunity to insult Emily and Stephanie. Dante’s mother Portia (Elena Sofia Ricci) refuses to hide her disdain for Emily, even inviting her drunken mother Margaret McLinden (Elizabeth Perkins, replacing Jean Smart from the first film) and Aunt Linda (Allison Janney). Then there’s Matteo Bartolo (Lorenzo de Moor), who seems deeply distrustful of the event.
So when people on the island start dying—first Sean, then Dante, then Margaret, and even an FBI agent (Taylor Ortega) sent to observe—there are plenty of culprits to blame. The truth comes out in a series of reveals that make up the last third of the film.
Emily has agreed to marry Dante because he’s gay, in love with Matteo. In exchange for providing cover from his mother, Dante will give Emily a lavish and responsibility-free lifestyle. Furthermore, the killer is Emily’s other twin sister Charity, who did not die, but was hidden away by Aunt Linda. With Faith dead and Emily about to marry rich, Linda has deployed Charity to make a way to replace Emily, thus giving her access to riches.
Unlikely? Yes. Plot-heavy? You bet. But the real problem comes shortly after the reveal that Charity lives, and it’s a twist that feels more designed to shock viewers than to serve the plot.
