A Simple Favor (film)

A Simple Favor
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Feig
Screenplay byJessica Sharzer
Based onA Simple Favor
by Darcey Bell
Produced by
  • Paul Feig
  • Jessie Henderson
Starring
CinematographyJohn Schwartzman
Edited byBrent White
Music byTheodore Shapiro
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • September 14, 2018 (2018-09-14)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million
Box office$97.6 million

A Simple Favor is a 2018 American black comedy mystery film directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Jessica Sharzer, based on the 2017 novel by Darcey Bell. It stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, and Andrew Rannells, and follows a small-town vlogger (Kendrick) who tries to solve the disappearance of her elegant and mysterious friend (Lively).

The film's development began in 2016 when 20th Century Fox bought the rights to the novel. The following year, it was moved to Lionsgate with Feig hired to direct while Kendrick and Lively were cast in the leading roles. Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario and began on February 2017.

A Simple Favor was released theatrically by Lionsgate in the United States on September 14, 2018. The film received generally positive reviews from critics for its plot twists and performances (especially that of Kendrick, Lively, and Golding). It grossed $97.6 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. A sequel, Another Simple Favor, was released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2025, with Kendrick and Lively reprising their roles, and Feig returning as director.