15 Best Movies Like A Simple Favor

The intriguing and captivating movie titled “A Simple Favor” garnered such immense popularity that it led to an unforeseen sequel after some years had passed. In the film, Anna Kendrick portrays Stephanie and Blake Lively plays Emily, both being mothers of school-going kids. As their friendship blossoms, Stephanie finds herself drawn to Emily’s sophisticated and enigmatic lifestyle. When Emily mysteriously disappears, “A Simple Favor” skillfully combines the characters’ everyday lives, a gripping murder mystery, and a touch of glamour for an extraordinary and exhilarating cinematic experience.

It’s fortunate that you can discover other films to watch following the original movie and its sequel, titled “Another Simple Favor”. Similar to “A Simple Favor”, many of these films revolve around mystery or thriller narratives led by female characters. These stories often follow ordinary individuals juggling work, relationships, and family life, but their routine lives are disrupted when they’re caught up in a murder plot or entangled in someone else’s criminal world. If you appreciated the enigmatic manipulation skills of Emily or the transformation of Stephanie from innocent to ruthless, you will likely enjoy these movies.

15. Diabolique (1955)

A Wife & Her Husband’s Mistress Plot To Kill Him

One movie that bears many similarities to “A Simple Favor” is the French film titled “Diabolique.” This film revolves around a woman named Christina, who teaches at a mediocre boarding school run by her husband, Michel. Not only does he mistreat the students, but his cruelty also extends to his wife. Interestingly, Michel is involved in an extramarital affair with another teacher at the school named Nicole. Despite this potential source of conflict between them, both women harbor a deep-seated hatred for Michel, which could lead them to work together against him.

This causes the two women to come up with a strategy: they intend to eliminate Michel, freeing themselves from his abusive behavior. The scenario is intriguing as Emily in the movie “A Simple Favor” pretends her own death, but later becomes envious when Stephanie develops a bond with him. Both films feature significant plot twists and ultimately conclude with the deceivers being exposed for their lies. However, the ending of “Diabolique” is grim and far more disturbing compared to the playful tone of “A Simple Favor”.

14. Gone Girl (2014)

A Woman Fakes Her Death To Set Up Her Husband

In the movie “A Simple Favor,” Emily Nelson, played by Blake Lively, pretends to die following the murder of one of her triplet sisters who was blackmailing her. This staged death served dual purposes: self-protection and an opportunity to claim insurance money while escaping the country. On the other hand, in “Gone Girl,” the woman, named Amy, goes missing, setting up circumstances that suggest Nick, her husband, was responsible for her death. Both stories revolve around a woman feigning her own demise, but each tale has its unique twists and turns.

In this scenario, Nick was unfaithful to Amy and intended to depart from her, which prompted Amy to orchestrate a complex vanishing act designed to wreck his life. Similar to the plot of “A Simple Favor“, there were several unexpected events in the narrative, but unlike that film, the vengeful wife managed to execute her scheme successfully, although not exactly as she had anticipated when she initially disappeared. The movie garnered Rosamund Pike a nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars, yet she ultimately lost to Julianne Moore for “Still Alice“.

13. Promising Young Woman (2020)

A Woman Plans Revenge After Her Friend’s Suicide

2020 marked the year Carey Mulligan graced the screen in the gripping film, “Promising Young Woman.” In this production, Mulligan portrayed Cassie, a former medical school student who now works at a coffee shop and frequents clubs and bars under the guise of being intoxicated. This deception stems from a tragic incident years earlier when her childhood friend Nina Fisher took her own life after being raped by a young man, who was later acquitted due to his affluence and influential family ties.

In “Promising Young Woman,” Cassie embarks on a quest for revenge, targeting the man who assaulted her friend and those who concealed his actions. This story bears similarities with “A Simple Favor” in that it involves a woman disguising herself to achieve her objectives following years of personal turmoil. Critics lauded Mulligan’s portrayal, leading to an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The screenplay also received recognition, winning the award for Best Original Screenplay.

12. Double Jeopardy (1999)

A Woman Uses A Legal Loophole To Get Away With Murder

In the movie “A Simple Favor,” Emily didn’t succeed in escaping punishment for murder, but she was trying to find a way out by making it seem like her triplet’s body was hers. A film from 1999, “Double Jeopardy,” illustrates a legal means of getting away with murder. The title of this movie comes from the rule that a person can’t be tried twice for the same crime if they were previously found guilty, which is known as the double jeopardy law. In “Double Jeopardy,” Ashley Judd plays Libby, a woman who is convicted of murder after her husband vanishes.

When Libby discovers her husband deceived her by staging his own demise, she realizes that once she’s released from prison, she could potentially take revenge without being held accountable for it, given her previous conviction for killing him. This scenario mirrors movies where characters fake their death for personal gain and are later exposed, much like in “A Simple Favor.” Unlike the twist in “Gone Girl,” however, the guilty party in “A Simple Favor” is punished for their deceit.

11. The Third Man (1949)

A Man Learns His Friend Faked His Death

In contrast to “A Simple Favor,” which revolves around a woman’s staged death and her friend unraveling the truth, “The Third Man” is a film noir centered on a man named Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton), who arrives in Vienna after hearing about his friend Harry Lime’s (Orson Welles) supposed demise there. However, an unusual twist unfolds as he spots Harry, alive and thriving, from his hotel window.

In my perspective, delving into the world of ‘Lime’ in this latest film, I found myself unraveling a web of deceit and danger that left me reeling, much like in ‘A Simple Favor’. As Holly, I was drawn into a whirlwind of confusion when I discovered my friend’s shady dealings and realized the lengths he would go to protect his secrets – even if it meant taking my life. Reminiscent of ‘The Third Man’, this gripping tale has earned its place among the greatest British films ever made, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats with its intricate plot twists and masterful storytelling.

10. I Care A Lot (2020)

A Corrupt Guardian Of The Elderly Goes Head-To-Head With The Mob

Similar to Lively, Rosamund Pike consistently embodies a character who exudes an impeccable sense of style and maintains a composed demeanor, using a polished facade to achieve her objectives, regardless of what they may be. In the films Saltburn and I Care a Lot, both roles played by Pike, the characters are all morally questionable individuals. In I Care a Lot specifically, Pike portrays a seemingly ordinary caretaker for the elderly who is ruthless in her pursuit of wealth, going so far as to swindle the assets of her wards to amass fortune.

The movie takes an unexpected twist similar to “A Simple Favor”, as Marla coerces an elderly woman into a nursing home, later discovering she’s a mob boss’ mother. Like “A Simple Favor”, “I Care a Lot” centers around a character who goes to extreme lengths to preserve her position. Furthermore, the personalities in “I Care a Lot” are portrayed by depicting criminal activities as ordinary aspects of their daily routines.

9. Happy Death Day (2017)

A College Student Is Stuck In A Time Loop Until She Can Identify Her Killer

In a fresh take on the traditional mystery genre, “Happy Death Day” offers a unique spin that fans of “A Simple Favor” will find appealing. This movie skillfully blends ordinary daily life with the bizarre, creating a captivating narrative where the protagonist, Tree, not only survives multiple murder attempts but also finds herself living a more fulfilling life as a result. The story unfolds from Tree’s initial days as an average college student, filled with parties, romantic entanglements, and complicated relationships, to her sudden encounter with a masked killer.

In the end, the reason behind Tree’s murder appears to stem from shallow envy, as she must navigate through the turmoil of her peers’ affairs before uncovering the truth. This scenario mirrors the complex romantic connections in “A Simple Favor,” where the central love triangle intensifies the intricate web of deceit and escalates tension among characters. Similarly, “Happy Death Day” offers a thrilling blend of suspense and humor, with its resilient protagonist turning even dire circumstances into something positive.

8. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

An Aspiring Journalist Enters The Ruthless World Of Producing A Fashion Magazine

In essence, “The Devil Wears Prada” shares the elegance of “A Simple Favor,” albeit without the crime, and Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly stands out as one of her finest performances. To put it simply, Miranda is an unyielding editor-in-chief of a high-end fashion magazine who dominates every moment she appears on screen, leaving others in her wake. There are similarities between Miranda and Emily, but unlike Emily, Miranda doesn’t bother to disguise her lack of niceness initially.

In the movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” Anna Hathaway’s character, Andy, initially finds it challenging to measure up but eventually wins over Miranda with her impressive work. However, Andy learns that Miranda is willing to trample others for her own advancement, leading her to make a decision to move on. Emily Blunt delivers an outstanding performance as the fashion-forward colleague who Andy ultimately betrays in her breakout role. The film remains a cherished comedy due to its stunning transformation sequences and witty humor that presents both despicable and sympathetic characters.

7. Rough Night (2017)

Rough Night Shows A Bachelorette Party Taking A Dangerous Turn

The film titled “Rough Night” opens with college pals gathering for a bachelorette party, leading to a series of unexpected chaos. While the concept of a “misadventure night” may not be entirely original, this movie manages to provide humor and boasts an impressive ensemble of leading actors and guest appearances. Throughout the madness, the group works through strained friendships and romantic entanglements, which is one of the film’s most compelling aspects.

Instead of facing potential relationship issues due to external threats from criminals, which could have provided an unwelcome complication in the story, it’s refreshing to see a comedic twist where friendship is strengthened instead. In contrast to A Simple Favor, where the bond between the main characters becomes toxic, Rough Night emphasizes genuine friendships that grow even stronger as the movie progresses.

6. Mr. Right (2015)

Anna Kendrick Stars As An Ordinary Woman Who Falls For A Hitman

Anna Kendrick shines in two distinct roles: one as the seemingly nonchalant character in “Pitch Perfect”, but she also excels at portraying characters like Stephanie – individuals who are shy and uncertain, yet find themselves thrust into a crime narrative unexpectedly. In “Mr. Right”, Martha is an ordinary woman attempting to heal from a breakup and tired of dating. However, her upcoming date turns out to be exceptionally fitting, save for the fact that Francis is actually a fugitive hitman eluding his pursuing employers.

As a film aficionado, I recently found myself ensnared in a chilling tale of a lavish dinner gone awry – none other than the captivating black comedy, The Menu. This movie takes a group of high-end diners on an unforgettable journey to a remote island, where they’re treated to the culinary masterpieces of a renowned chef. However, what starts as a night of luxury quickly spirals into a haunting ordeal that leaves no one unscathed. The film boasts a lavish backdrop, a nerve-wracking confrontation, and darkly humorous jabs that manage to hit their mark without losing the laughs.

2025-05-02 00:51