A Simple Favor 2018

Drama

Mystery

Thriller

Comedy

Crime

Box Office

$98M

Runtime

117 min

Language

English

Directed by

Paul Feig

Made by

Lionsgate

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for A Simple Favor (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Stephanie Smothers, portrayed by Anna Kendrick, is a widowed single mother who shares her life through a vibrant Vlog focused on crafts and recipes. In contrast, Emily Nelson, played by Blake Lively, is a busy PR director for a fashion company, whose son, Nicky, attends the same elementary school as Stephanie’s son, Miles. Their paths intertwine when Stephanie, an overly eager volunteer at school activities, meets Emily while picking up Nicky.

The two mothers quickly form a friendship that resembles an intriguing contrast: Emily’s life is filled with colorful stories, while Stephanie leads a more monotone, steady lifestyle dedicated to her son. The narrative takes a deeper turn when Stephanie opens up about her past, revealing shocking details about her relationship with her half-brother, Chris, during their father’s funeral. Emily, meanwhile, expresses her own frustrations about her husband, Sean Townsend, played by Henry Golding, a once-promising English professor whose career seems to have stalled since the publication of his last book ten years ago.

As their friendship develops, a series of unexpected events unfold, starting with Emily’s disappearance. After a mysterious phone call leads Stephanie to investigate, she uncovers troubling facts about Emily’s seemingly perfect life, which is shattered by revelations of financial troubles, a shadowy past, and dangerous secrets. When Emily’s body is discovered, Stephanie finds herself drawn into a complex web of lies, unearthing a trail that leads back to Emily’s childhood and the significant role of her twin sister.

As Stephanie becomes entangled in a dark game of deception, she also finds an unexpected bond with Sean as they navigate their shared grief. Their relationship complicates further when suspicions arise around Emily’s true fate. Emily’s confessions and manipulations push Stephanie into a dangerous alliance that culminates in a tense standoff, revealing the lengths both women are willing to go for survival and love.

In a final twist, the story concludes with both personal and professional transformations. Emily’s fate is sealed after a tense confrontation lands her in prison for twenty years, while Sean carves out a successful academic path. Meanwhile, Stephanie’s Vlog flourishes, garnering a massive following, and she even ventures into private investigation, leaving behind the shadows of her past as she embraces her newfound identity.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of A Simple Favor (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Introduction of Stephanie Smothers

Stephanie Smothers is introduced as a widowed single mother who actively shares her life through a vibrant Vlog. Her content focuses on crafts and recipes, showcasing her dedication to her son and her culinary skills.

Meeting Emily Nelson

Stephanie crosses paths with Emily Nelson while picking up their sons from school. Their contrasting personalities spark an immediate friendship, with Emily's glamorous lifestyle being a stark contrast to Stephanie's more subdued existence.

Elementary School

Revelations at the Funeral

During their fathers' funeral, Stephanie opens up to Emily about her troubling past involving her half-brother, Chris. This moment deepens their bond, revealing layers of emotional complexity in both women's lives.

Funeral

Emily's Family Frustrations

Emily expresses her frustrations regarding her husband, Sean Townsend. His stagnation as an academic since his last book's publication ten years ago highlights the pressures and dynamics within their marriage.

Emily Goes Missing

The narrative takes a dark turn when Emily mysteriously disappears. A troubling phone call prompts Stephanie to begin investigating, igniting a chain of events that unravels Emily's seemingly perfect life.

Uncovering Dark Secrets

As Stephanie delves deeper into Emily's background, she uncovers shocking financial troubles and a clouded past filled with dangerous secrets. The discoveries challenge Stephanie's perceptions of her friend.

Discovery of Emily's Body

The situation escalates when Emily's body is discovered, thrusting Stephanie into a complex investigation. This tragic event forces her to confront the darkness that exists within their friendship.

Stephanie's Bond with Sean

In the aftermath of Emily's death, Stephanie forges an unexpected bond with Sean, sharing their grief over the loss. Their relationship becomes complicated as secrets and suspicions arise regarding Emily's fate.

The Rise of Deception

Emily's manipulations lead Stephanie down a treacherous path of deception. As Stephanie navigates this dark game, she must confront the moral implications of her actions and loyalty to Emily.

Confrontation with Emily

In a climactic confrontation, the truth about Emily's actions is laid bare, sealing her fate in a shocking twist. Stephanie must reconcile her feelings for Emily with the darker realities of their friendship.

Emily's Imprisonment

The narrative concludes with Emily receiving a twenty-year prison sentence for her actions. This outcome serves as a profound commentary on the consequences of deception and betrayal between friends.

Prison

Sean's Academic Path

In the wake of the turmoil, Sean reinvents himself academically. Gaining recognition, he begins to carve out a successful path, reflecting personal growth after the tragic events.

Stephanie's Flourishing Vlog

Stephanie's Vlog experiences significant growth, attracting a massive following. This success symbolizes her journey of transformation and her ability to embrace a new identity.

Stephanie's New Identity

As she evolves, Stephanie ventures into private investigation, shedding the shadows of her past. This choice signifies her newfound strength and independence in the aftermath of her turbulent experiences.

Conclusion of Their Stories

The narrative concludes with both women transformed by their experiences. While Emily faces consequences, Stephanie embraces her new life, highlighting the complexities of friendship and personal growth.

Characters

Explore all characters from A Simple Favor (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Stephanie Smothers

Stephanie is a widowed single mother whose life revolves around her son and her crafting Vlog. Her eagerness to please often masks her insecurities, but her journey through uncovering the truth about Emily reveals her resilience and resourcefulness. Throughout the movie, she transforms from a supportive friend to a bold investigator seeking answers.

👩‍👦 Motherhood 🎥 Vlogger 🔍 Investigator

Emily Nelson

Emily is a charismatic PR director with a flair for drama and a hidden life filled with secrets. Initially appearing to lead a glamorous existence, her complex character unfolds to reveal deep-rooted issues and a tumultuous past. Her manipulative tactics highlight her survival instincts and adaptability, creating a fascinating juxtaposition to Stephanie's character.

💼 Career Woman 🤫 Mystery 🎭 Manipulation

Sean Townsend

Sean is Emily's husband, struggling with the stagnation of his once-promising career as an academic. His character evolves as he navigates his wife's disappearance and his connection with Stephanie. Sean's character reflects the challenges of balancing grief, loyalty, and the search for a path forward in the aftermath of trauma.

📚 Academic 🤔 Grief 💔 Loyalty

Setting

Learn where and when A Simple Favor (2018) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as the pressures of parenthood, the intricacies of friendship, and the hidden struggles behind seemingly perfect lives. The interplay between personal and professional challenges highlights the complexities of human relationships in today's world.

Location

Elementary School, Fashion Company, Funeral Home

The movie takes place in a suburban environment where an elementary school serves as a backdrop for the growing friendship between two mothers. The fashion company represents the glamorous yet deceptive lifestyle of Emily, showcasing the stark contrast to Stephanie's simpler life. Additionally, the funeral home symbolizes loss and brings to light dark family secrets during a pivotal moment in the narrative.

🏫 School 💼 Fashion ⚰️ Funeral

Themes

Discover the main themes in A Simple Favor (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🕵️‍♀️

Deception

Deception plays a crucial role in 'A Simple Favor', manifesting through the characters’ facades and the unfolding mysteries surrounding Emily's life. The layers of lies reveal the characters' vulnerabilities while pushing them into unexpected alliances and confrontations. This theme explores the lengths individuals go to protect their secrets and create new identities.

💔

Loss

Loss permeates the narrative, affecting both Stephanie and Emily as they navigate the aftermath of their personal tragedies. Stephanie's journey as a widowed mother reflects the emotional struggles of grieving, while the exploration of Emily's hidden past reveals the repercussions of loss on mental health and relationships. The theme highlights how loss shapes the characters’ decisions and connections.

📱

Identity

Identity is a prevalent theme, demonstrated through the contrasting lifestyles of the two mothers and their evolving friendships. Stephanie's journey from a simple Vlogger to a confident investigator exemplifies personal transformation influenced by the events surrounding her friendship with Emily. The movie delves into how identities can be constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed in the face of adversity.

A Simple Favor Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of A Simple Favor (2018) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

In the end, it’s revealed that Emily, who appeared to be a glamorous and mysterious friend, is actually Hope McLanden, one of the twin sisters involved in a traumatic past. She and her sister Faith had killed their abusive father and run away from Michigan. Emily (Hope) was believed to be dead after drowning her sister Faith in the lake to prevent her from blackmailing her or revealing their secrets. The story unfolds to show Emily’s calculated attempts to cover her tracks, including faking her disappearance and even her apparent death. Meanwhile, Stephanie uncovers the truth by investigating clues like the old yearbook and the artist’s sketch, leading her to the McLanden family.

When Stephanie confronts Emily at Faith’s grave, Emily confesses to drowning her sister years ago, revealing that she is Hope. Emily explains that Faith had become a heroin addict and threatened to expose her, which led Emily to drown her in the lake to silence her. The revelation is chilling and tragic, highlighting how a seemingly glamorous woman was driven by a dark past and desperation.

After the flash of chaos and Emily's attempt to blackmail Sean, the trio's plans unravel. Emily tries to escape but gets hit by a car, ending her threat for good. Stephanie, having exposed Emily’s true identity and motives, ultimately refuses to apologize for her role in bringing Emily to justice. In the final scenes, Stephanie has grown considerably—she has become a popular true crime vlogger, bringing criminals to justice and inspiring her viewers, while Sean has published a novel based on their story, and Emily remains incarcerated but largely unrepentant. The ending underscores the dark complexity of the characters’ lives, with Emily’s dark past finally catching up with her and leaving her behind bars, while Stephanie has transformed into a powerful and influential figure in her own right.

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