Despite quickly climbing the ranks on Amazon Prime Video after its release, the sequel to the 2018 comedy-thriller is stirring considerable controversy.
Although fans eagerly anticipated the return of Lively and Anna Kendrick as Emily Nelson and Stephanie Smothers, respectively, one particular storyline has sparked outrage and discomfort among viewers.
In this new installment, directed by Paul Feig, the characters travel to Capri for Emily’s lavish wedding celebration.
Yet what should have been a glamorous affair takes a dark turn, as a series of deaths and suspicions of foul play overshadow the nuptials.
While the film maintains its comedic roots, it also ventures into unsettling territory, notably with a plot point between Emily and her twin.
Lively features Emily and her sisters, Faith and Charity—triplets entangled in a web of complex relationships.
In a particularly controversial scene, one of Lively’s characters makes inappropriate advances toward her sister.
The moment sparked intense backlash from viewers. One disturbed viewer shared, “The scene involving the sister felt incredibly wrong.” Another remarked, “Portraying incest and assault as a joke is a questionable decision.”
Others echoed similar sentiments: “It was deeply unsettling, and the way they brushed it off with humor was jarring.”
Additional fan reactions included, “My jaw dropped,” “I was genuinely disgusted,” and “Completely unnecessary.”
In the controversial scene, Emily is kidnapped and drugged by her long-lost triplet sister, Charity (also played by Lively), on her wedding day, rendering her paralyzed and unable to move.
Charity, revealing a chilling fixation on Emily, cuddles up to her, makes suggestive comments about them being ‘one,’ and implies that pleasuring Emily brings her pleasure.
She then appears to slide her hand down Emily’s underwear and climbs on top of her to kiss her, all while Emily watches in horror, unable to resist.
Although the scene cuts away before anything further is shown, the non-consensual and incestuous implications are clear.
While intended as a dark comedy, many argued that the subject matter was far too disturbing to be treated lightly.
At the film’s SXSW premiere earlier this year, Lively hinted at the bold and controversial direction the sequel takes.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she shared how director Paul Feig caught her off guard with a major plot twist.
“It definitely upped the ante,” she said. “It was very uncomfortable to watch in this theater with you guys.”
The film brings back familiar faces, including Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Allison Janney, and Elizabeth Perkins.
While Another Simple Favor delivers suspense and showcases its star-studded cast, many viewers feel the film’s shocking twist may have pushed the envelope too far.
