Another Simple Favor is definitely not the most necessary sequel, which is perhaps why its ratings are lower than the original movie. The ending of A Simple Favor, which was released in 2018, definitely felt quite definitive, especially since Blake Lively’s Emily was finally arrested for her crimes. Because of this, I was shocked when Another Simple Favor was announced. However, Emily is out of prison in Another Simple Favor and seemingly living an amazing life as she prepares to marry Dante, who turns out to be a member of the Italian mob.

Despite the events of the first film, Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie decides to attend Emily’s wedding in Capri, Italy. The sequel definitely raises the stakes of the series, but reviews for Another Simple Favor have been quite mixed, with Screen Rant’s own Mae Abdulbaki giving it a score of 6 out of 10. Even though Another Simple Favor is directed by Paul Feig, who also helmed the first movie, it unfortunately has not received as strong reviews as A Simple Favor. Therefore, let’s take a look at why Another Simple Favor’s ratings have been lower than the first movie.

How Much Worse Another Simple Favor’s Rotten Tomatoes Scores Are To A Simple Favor

Audiences & Critics Do Not Like Another Simple Favor As Much As The First Movie

Upon its release in 2018, A Simple Favor received very strong reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first film has a critics score of 84% and an audience score of 73% (via Rotten Tomatoes). These strong ratings led to A Simple Favor being a box office success. In total, A Simple Favor grossed $97 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo). While it took seven years to get made, A Simple Favor’s strong critical and commercial success justified a sequel getting greenlit, even if some fans thought it was unnecessary.

Even though Lively, Kendrick, and many other cast members returned for the sequel along with Feig, Another Simple Favor hasn’t been a critical success like the first movie. As seen in the above table, Another Simple Favor currently has a critics score of 63% and an audience score of 38% (via Rotten Tomatoes). While Another Simple Favor’s critics score isn’t nearly as high as the first film’s, it is still considered “Fresh.” However, its disappointing audience score proves that viewers have not enjoyed the sequel nearly as much as the original.

Why Critics Are More Divided On Another Simple Favor

Another Simple Favor’s Story Is Very Absurd

While critics applauded the first movie for its clever story and surprising twists, many reviews have noted that Another Simple Favor seems like it’s trying too hard to recapture the magic of the original. In doing so, Another Simple Favor is way too absurd and not that well-thought-out. In their review of the movie, Empire noted that “even the slightest wisp of critical thought will bring the house-of-cards plot tumbling down.” Therefore, even though the sequel tries to tell a more ambitious story, Another Simple Favor’s story and twists are not as effective.

Comparing Another Simple Favor to the first movie, Variety interestingly claimed that the sequel “is a movie that offers more of the same, and not enough of it, and too much of it.” This quote perfectly summarizes how Another Simple Favor is a film that, despite trying to imitate the original, tries way too hard and ultimately fails. Another Simple Favor includes many twists, perhaps more than the first movie, but critics have ultimately been way less engaged in the sequel.

Why Audiences Have Disliked Another Simple Favor

Another Simple Favor Can’t Compare To The First Movie

When it comes to Another Simple Favor, audiences mostly agree with critics, which can sometimes be rare. In fact, as is evident by the film’s Rotten Tomatoes scores, audiences have actually been much harsher towards Another Simple Favor than critics. In their reviews of the film, several audience members have noted that Another Simple Favor has weak dialogue, subpar acting, and a predictable story that can’t compare to the first movie.

It should also be noted that Another Simple Favor’s negative reviews do not appear to be a result of review bombing. Even though Lively is involved in some public controversies amid her onging legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, this seemingly hasn’t affected Another Simple Favor’s ratings. Rather than outside factors, it simply seems like audiences haven’t enjoyed Another Simple Favor as much as the original film, which is the primary reason why it has significantly lower scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

Sources: Empire, Variety