Understanding ‘A Simple Favor’: A Comprehensive Parents’ Guide to the Movie

Introduction

‘A Simple Favor’ is a thrilling mystery-comedy film directed by Paul Feig and released in 2018. Starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, the movie follows the story of Stephanie, a mommy vlogger, who tries to uncover the truth behind her friend Emily’s sudden disappearance. While the film offers an intriguing plot and captivating performances, it is important for parents to understand its content before deciding whether it is suitable for their children. This comprehensive guide aims to provide parents with an overview of the movie, highlighting its themes, content, and potential concerns.

Plot Summary

The movie revolves around Stephanie Smothers, a single mother and popular mommy vlogger, who becomes friends with the enigmatic Emily Nelson. Emily is a stylish and mysterious woman who seems to have it all. However, when Emily suddenly disappears, Stephanie takes it upon herself to uncover the truth behind her friend’s disappearance. As she delves deeper into Emily’s life, Stephanie discovers shocking secrets and realizes that nothing is as it seems.

Themes

‘A Simple Favor’ explores various themes that may resonate with adult audiences. These themes include:

Deception: The movie delves into the theme of deception, as the characters hide their true intentions and manipulate others for personal gain.
Friendship: The complex nature of friendship is explored throughout the film, as Stephanie and Emily’s relationship evolves and reveals unexpected twists.
Identity: The characters in the movie struggle with their identities, often presenting different personas to the world.
Trust: Trust is a central theme in ‘A Simple Favor,’ as the characters question who they can rely on and who they should be wary of.

Content and Concerns

While ‘A Simple Favor’ offers an intriguing storyline and captivating performances, it is important for parents to be aware of its content and potential concerns. The movie is rated R for strong language, sexual content, and violence. Some specific content and concerns include:

Language

The movie contains strong language throughout, including profanity and explicit dialogue. Parents should consider whether they are comfortable with their children being exposed to such language.

Sexual Content

‘A Simple Favor’ includes scenes with sexual content and innuendos. While there are no explicit sex scenes, the movie explores adult themes related to sexuality. Parents should assess whether they deem this content appropriate for their children.

Violence

The film features instances of violence, including physical altercations and intense confrontations. While not excessively graphic, the scenes may be intense for younger viewers. Parents should consider the impact of such content on their children.

Parental Guidance and Discussion Points

Before allowing their children to watch ‘A Simple Favor,’ parents should consider the movie’s content and themes. It is recommended that parents watch the movie first to determine its suitability for their children. If parents decide to watch the movie with their children, they can use it as an opportunity for discussion. Some discussion points may include:

Discussing the importance of trust and honesty in relationships
Exploring the consequences of deception and manipulation
Talking about the complexities of friendship and how it can evolve over time
Addressing the portrayal of gender roles and stereotypes in the movie

Conclusion

‘A Simple Favor’ is an intriguing mystery-comedy film that offers a thrilling plot and captivating performances. However, due to its content and themes, it may not be suitable for all children. Parents should carefully consider the movie’s rating, content, and potential concerns before deciding whether it is appropriate for their children. By watching the movie first and engaging in discussions with their children, parents can make informed decisions and use the movie as a tool for meaningful conversations.

References

1. IMDb. (n.d.). A Simple Favor (2018) – IMDb. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7040874/