Is ‘A Simple Favor’ or Its Sequel Based on a True Story? Here’s the Truth
Another Simple Favor (also known as A Simple Favor 2) is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and it’s even more thrilling than the first film. Directed by Paul Feig and written by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis, the sequel brings back the original stars, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. They return as Emily and Stephanie, two moms with a dark and twisted past.
In the first film, which came out in 2018, viewers were introduced to Stephanie, a friendly mommy vlogger, and her stylish best friend, Emily. Their friendship took a shocking turn when Emily suddenly disappeared, and Stephanie uncovered secrets that changed everything.
Now, in Another Simple Favor, Emily reappears. Is she back for revenge? That’s something you’ll have to watch to find out.
But one question is on many viewers’ minds: Are these movies based on a true story?
Is A Simple Favor Based on a True Story?
The short answer is no. The original 2018 movie is not inspired by real events. However, it is based on a fictional novel. The film takes its story from the 2017 book A Simple Favor by Darcy Bell. The book follows a similar storyline, Stephanie’s best friend Emily vanishes after asking her to pick up her son from school.
Even though the story feels intense and real, it’s all made up. The characters and events are purely fictional.
Is Another Simple Favor Based on a True Story?
Again, no. The 2025 sequel is not based on any real-life events. In fact, unlike the first movie, it’s not even based on a book. It’s an original story created by writers Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis.
Director Paul Feig shared in an interview that the early versions of the script were very different. At first, the story was about Emily and Stephanie being on the run, hiding in disguises. But Feig and his producing partner, Laura Fischer, decided they wanted something more stylish, something that let Blake Lively show off high fashion.
That led to a major change in the story. Feig suggested setting the film in Capri, Italy, a place he’s loved visiting for over 30 years. The new idea? Emily planning a big, fancy wedding to an Italian mob boss, played by actor Michele Morrone.
Was the Movie Inspired by a Real Wedding?
Although Another Simple Favor isn’t based on real events, it does have a fun connection to a real-life wedding. Paul Feig said he got the idea for the glamorous Capri wedding after seeing photos from Vogue fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia’s wedding. It was a three-day celebration on the island, full of style and luxury.
In fact, the movie filmed Emily’s wedding scene at the same location as Giovanna’s actual wedding. The production team even hired the same people to build parts of the wedding set.
Neither A Simple Favor nor Another Simple Favor is based on a true story. Both movies are fiction, created to entertain. While the sequel was inspired by a real wedding, that’s as close as it gets to reality.
Whether you’re watching the original or the sequel, enjoy the drama, the twists, and the fabulous fashion, but remember, it’s all made up.