A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor

Year: 2018

Runtime: 117 min

Language: English

Director: Paul Feig

DramaMysteryThrillerComedyCrime

A charismatic publicist disappears, leaving behind a life that appears perfect but is filled with hidden truths. Her best friend, a widowed mommy blogger, reluctantly steps in to investigate. As she delves deeper into the socialite's world, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets, lies, and unexpected connections, forcing her to confront unsettling revelations about her friend and herself.

Warning: spoilers below!

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A Simple Favor (2018) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of A Simple Favor (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Stephanie Smothers, portrayed by Anna Kendrick, is a widowed single mother who shares her life through a vibrant Vlog focused on crafts and recipes. In contrast, Emily Nelson, played by Blake Lively, is a busy PR director for a fashion company, whose son, Nicky, attends the same elementary school as Stephanie’s son, Miles. Their paths intertwine when Stephanie, an overly eager volunteer at school activities, meets Emily while picking up Nicky.

The two mothers quickly form a friendship that resembles an intriguing contrast: Emily’s life is filled with colorful stories, while Stephanie leads a more monotone, steady lifestyle dedicated to her son. The narrative takes a deeper turn when Stephanie opens up about her past, revealing shocking details about her relationship with her half-brother, Chris, during their father’s funeral. Emily, meanwhile, expresses her own frustrations about her husband, Sean Townsend, played by Henry Golding, a once-promising English professor whose career seems to have stalled since the publication of his last book ten years ago.

As their friendship develops, a series of unexpected events unfold, starting with Emily’s disappearance. After a mysterious phone call leads Stephanie to investigate, she uncovers troubling facts about Emily’s seemingly perfect life, which is shattered by revelations of financial troubles, a shadowy past, and dangerous secrets. When Emily’s body is discovered, Stephanie finds herself drawn into a complex web of lies, unearthing a trail that leads back to Emily’s childhood and the significant role of her twin sister.

As Stephanie becomes entangled in a dark game of deception, she also finds an unexpected bond with Sean as they navigate their shared grief. Their relationship complicates further when suspicions arise around Emily’s true fate. Emily’s confessions and manipulations push Stephanie into a dangerous alliance that culminates in a tense standoff, revealing the lengths both women are willing to go for survival and love.

In a final twist, the story concludes with both personal and professional transformations. Emily’s fate is sealed after a tense confrontation lands her in prison for twenty years, while Sean carves out a successful academic path. Meanwhile, Stephanie’s Vlog flourishes, garnering a massive following, and she even ventures into private investigation, leaving behind the shadows of her past as she embraces her newfound identity.

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 12:37

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of A Simple Favor?

Still wondering what the ending of A Simple Favor (2018) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, it’s revealed that Emily, who appeared to be a glamorous and mysterious friend, is actually Hope McLanden, one of the twin sisters involved in a traumatic past. She and her sister Faith had killed their abusive father and run away from Michigan. Emily (Hope) was believed to be dead after drowning her sister Faith in the lake to prevent her from blackmailing her or revealing their secrets. The story unfolds to show Emily’s calculated attempts to cover her tracks, including faking her disappearance and even her apparent death. Meanwhile, Stephanie uncovers the truth by investigating clues like the old yearbook and the artist’s sketch, leading her to the McLanden family.

When Stephanie confronts Emily at Faith’s grave, Emily confesses to drowning her sister years ago, revealing that she is Hope. Emily explains that Faith had become a heroin addict and threatened to expose her, which led Emily to drown her in the lake to silence her. The revelation is chilling and tragic, highlighting how a seemingly glamorous woman was driven by a dark past and desperation.

After the flash of chaos and Emily’s attempt to blackmail Sean, the trio’s plans unravel. Emily tries to escape but gets hit by a car, ending her threat for good. Stephanie, having exposed Emily’s true identity and motives, ultimately refuses to apologize for her role in bringing Emily to justice. In the final scenes, Stephanie has grown considerably—she has become a popular true crime vlogger, bringing criminals to justice and inspiring her viewers, while Sean has published a novel based on their story, and Emily remains incarcerated but largely unrepentant. The ending underscores the dark complexity of the characters’ lives, with Emily’s dark past finally catching up with her and leaving her behind bars, while Stephanie has transformed into a powerful and influential figure in her own right.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00

Unlock the Full Story of A Simple Favor

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A Simple Favor Timeline

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A Simple Favor Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Simple Favor

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of A Simple Favor? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

A Simple Favor Ending Explained

More About A Simple Favor

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More About A Simple Favor

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