We finally know how Emily got released from prison before Another Simple Favor

Another Simple Favor is a direct sequel to the 2018 flick A Simple Favor. The black comedy mystery film is directed by Paul Feig, and it was released on May 1, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video. Laeta Kalogridis and Jessica Sharzer are the writers of the film. Here's the official synopsis:

Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson reunite on the island of Capri, Italy for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman, which is interrupted by murder and betrayal.

In the first installment, Emily Nelson (played by Blake Lively) goes to prison. But in the sequel, she has been released.

Here's how Emily was released from prison ahead of Another Simple Favor

A still from Another Simple Favor | Image via Prime Video YouTube

Towards the end of A Simple Favor, Emily is jailed for her actions. But the character shows up again in the sequel, Another Simple Favor. Emily reveals that she is out on appeal. She had several expensive lawyers to represent her in court. Soon, we realize that a new character named Dante Versano (played by Michele Morrone) is paying for all that. He is a rich Italian businessman and her fiancé; the two are about to get married in Capri.

We later realize that he is a part of the Italian mafia and uses his connection to dodge rules and regulations in his country as well as the US. The sequel further complicates the truth behind Emily's release. Her triplet twin, Charity (again portrayed by Lively), agrees to take her place. The actual Emily then joins the Italian mafia towards the end of Another Simple Favor. Charity agrees to do it because of her closeness with Emily, as she also believes that the triplets complete each other.

The first film was an adaptation of the namesake 2017 novel penned by Darcey Bell. It showcases a small-town vlogger who befriends Emily. Things become mysterious after the latter disappears. In the sequel, Emily convinces Stephanie to join her for her destination wedding.

More about Another Simple Favor

Another Simple Favor is produced by Paul Feig and Laura Fischer. Before its theatrical release, the film had its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Festival. Here are the cast members of the film:

Anna Kendrick as Stephanie Smothers
Blake Lively as Emily Nelson/Hope McLanden/Charity McLanden
Andrew Rannells as Darren
Bashir Salahuddin as Detective Summerville
Elizabeth Perkins as Margaret McLanden
Michele Morrone as Dante Versano
Henry Golding as Sean Townsend
Elena Sofia Ricci as Portia Versano
Alex Newell as Vicky
Allison Janney as Aunt Linda McLanden

Paul Feig spoke to The Wrap that he decided not to make a sequel. He said,

“It’s only by the grace of [producer] Laura Fischer that this movie got made because I kept trying to chicken out on it because, as we were developing the story and stuff, it was just like, all that I can think of is like, if we underwhelm, if we don’t do as good or better than the first one, it’s going to be terrible.”

Do you feel Emily's prison release subplot was convincing?