Honestly, it’s been years since we first saw Emily Nelson swirl a martini glass with that terrifying, effortless precision, but Blake Lively in A Simple Favor remains the blueprint for the "glamorous sociopath" aesthetic. If you haven't revisited the 2018 Paul Feig flick lately, you're missing out on a masterclass in how to weaponize a three-piece suit.
Most people remember the movie for the "brother-fucker" line or the sheer audacity of the plot twists, but the real magic was how Blake Lively played a woman who was simultaneously a ghost, a fashion icon, and a cold-blooded killer.
The Mystery of Emily Nelson: Why Blake Lively Was the Only Choice
When we first meet Emily, she’s picking up her kid from school in the middle of a torrential downpour, wearing a tuxedo. No umbrella. Just vibes and a very expensive-looking hat. It’s a moment that immediately separates her from the "mommy vlogger" energy of Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick).
What makes the performance work—and what most critics actually got right back then—is that Blake isn't playing a caricature. She’s playing a woman who has spent her entire life reinventing herself. Her real name is Hope McLanden. She has a twin sister named Faith. She burned down her family home with her abusive father inside. That is heavy stuff for a movie that feels, on the surface, like a bright, breezy comedy.
The Fashion Was the Script
You can't talk about A Simple Favor Blake Lively without talking about the suits. Costume designer Renée Ehrlich Kalfus worked closely with Blake and Paul Feig to create a wardrobe that was essentially armor. They raided the Ralph Lauren archives. They found vintage men’s jewelry.
- The Dickey/Bib: Remember that scene where she rips off the "shirt" only to reveal it was just a collar and cuffs? It was a metaphor for her entire life. Nothing was real.
- The Cane: Blake actually suggested the pimp cane. It wasn't in the script. It added this layer of "don't mess with me" that made the character legendary.
- The Martini Tutorial: This wasn't just a drink; it was a power move. Ice cold glass. No vermouth. Just gin and a twist.
The Sequel We Finally Got: Another Simple Favor
If you’ve been living under a rock, the sequel, Another Simple Favor, just hit Prime Video on May 1, 2025. It took forever. There were rumors of feuds, delays because of the Hollywood strikes, and even weird internet gossip about Blake’s other projects like It Ends With Us. But Paul Feig shut all that down.
The sequel moves the chaos from suburban Connecticut to the island of Capri, Italy. Emily is out of prison (of course she is) and she’s getting married to a rich Italian businessman. Stephanie is now a private investigator—which makes sense, given she basically solved a triple-homicide in the first movie—and she's the maid of honor.
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What Actually Happened in the Sequel?
Without spoiling the whole thing, the sequel doubles down on the "mommy noir" vibe. It’s got:
- High Stakes: A wedding that turns into a crime scene.
- The Cast: Henry Golding returns as Sean, and we get newcomers like Allison Janney and Michele Morrone.
- The Vibe: It’s more of a caper this time. Paul Feig mentioned in interviews that the script went through a lot of changes to make sure it didn't lose the "Emily magic."
Why A Simple Favor Still Matters in 2026
We’re in an era where "unreliable narrators" are everywhere, but Blake Lively’s performance in A Simple Favor stands out because it doesn't ask for your sympathy. Emily is a bad person. She kills her sister. She tries to frame her husband. She uses her best friend. And yet, you can’t look away.
Blake has this way of being "fearsome and great," as Time Magazine once put it. She brings a specific kind of acidity to the role that balances Anna Kendrick’s frantic, over-the-top energy perfectly. It’s a rare chemistry that actually holds up on a rewatch.
Real Talk: The Ending Comparison
If you ever read the Darcey Bell novel the movie is based on, you know the ending is totally different. In the book, Stephanie actually takes Emily’s side. They don't have that big showdown with the hidden camera. The movie's choice to have Emily get hit by a car and sent to jail was way more satisfying for a Hollywood audience, even if it was a bit "cliché" according to some.
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How to Get the Emily Nelson Look (Without the Crimes)
If you're still obsessed with the aesthetic, you're not alone. People are still scouring Pinterest for those navy vests and high-waisted pants.
- Focus on Tailoring: The secret wasn't just the clothes; it was how they fit.
- The Power of Accessories: A pocket watch, a tie that's slightly undone, or a very specific piece of vintage jewelry can change the whole vibe.
- Confidence: Emily’s greatest accessory was her "I don't give a damn" attitude.
The best way to appreciate the phenomenon of A Simple Favor Blake Lively is to go back and watch the original before diving into the sequel on Prime. Look for the small details—the way she handles the martini glass, the silence between her lines, and that "saint" necklace Stephanie wears as a contrast.
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To really dive into the world of Emily and Stephanie, check out the Another Simple Favor behind-the-scenes features on Amazon. They go deep into the filming at the Grand Hotel Quisisana in Capri, which is basically a character itself in the new movie.