I admit it. Some of my best memories growing up stem from moments watching soap operas with my mother.

There’s just something enjoyably silly about them. Having originated in the 1950s, they have always had their own unique style, structure and psychology that kept them on network television in the middle of the afternoon. Not everyone loved them but, if you watch them long enough, you can gain an appreciation for the type of stories that they offer.

It’s that sentiment that brings me to Prime Video’s Another Simple Favor, the long-awaited sequel to the popular 2018 thriller. Starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, Another Simple Favor reintroduces us to Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) as she attempts to launch a book about the events from the previous film. However, her book reading is upended by the arrival of Emily who has… wait for it… another simple favor to ask her former friend and she’s not taking no for an answer. As a result, soon after, the two women are whisked away to the stunning island of Capri, Italy where Emily is about to be married to a handsome (and rich) Italian businessman. Yet, whenever the two are together, chaos seems to follow and soon, the festivities give way to mystery and betrayal.

Directed by Paul Feig, Another Simple Favor is a suitable sequel for the madness of its predecessor.Once again, Feig fills with pulpy goodness that embraces the wild and outrageous. Similar to the first film, this is the type of thriller that feels like classic soap operas in the best of ways. These are characters and settings where anything can happen (and frequently does). Unlike other detective series such as Poirot or Knives Out, the Favor franchise (and yes, it’s a franchise now) is more than happy to lean into twists for their own sake. As a result, the film never takes itself too seriously but continues to raise the stakes for its characters.

Even the way that the film is shot is reminiscent of classic series like All My Children or One Life to Live. With an emphasis on medium shots, Feig keeps the camera firmly on his characters and their reactions to the unlikely twists and turns. (That is, of course, unless the camera pulls back in order to highlight the film’s truly stunning surroundings. Seriously, the film could easily be a travel advertisement for the island of Capri.) After all, Feig understands the pop culture experience that he wants to give his viewers. This Favor is the sort of film that is meant to be watched with a glass of wine in hand as you gasp at every unexpected surprise.

Dun-dun-dunnn…

But it’s also that same sense of camp that makes it fun. Another Simple Favor knows exactly what type of series it wants to be. It’s off the rails in some moments and often quite funny in others. No, it won’t be for everyone. But it unapologetically knows its audience and leans into their expectations completely.

And the stars are up to play as well. While Lively still revels in playing the bad-good girl (or is she a good bad girl?), it’s Kendrick who keeps the film together with her general affability. As sleuthy mom Stephanie Smothers, Kendrick is simply allowed to play nice with the growing number of baddies that surround her. Despite the murder and mayhem that surround her, Kendrick plays every scene with a light touch. It’s these comedic instincts that allow the film to work, even in its most outlandish of moments.

Admittedly, Another Simple Favor’s campy atmosphere offers little in terms of deeper meaning. This isn’t necessarily a film about personal growth or even complicated emotions. Instead, Favor spends more time on spinning its web of mischief and intrigue than it does on any grand sensibilities about the human condition. (Though, an argument could be made that the film serves as a reminder that we are all a little bit broken, even the best of us.)

But, frankly, to delve too deeply into the subtext of this Favor would be a disservice to it. With another chance to chart the relationship between Stephanie and Emily, Feig clearly wanted to take the story’s soapy structure to the next level and, for the most part, he succeeds. This is absolutely the sort of serialized silliness that is perfect (for its intended audience) to stream on a Friday night.

Just make sure that you have a glass of wine next to you when you do.

Another Simple Favor is available on Prime Video on May 1st, 2025.