A Simple Favor’s Netflix Success Is A Great Reminder To Watch This Underrated $123 Million Rom-Com From 2019

Summary A Simple Favor's Netflix success is a reminder to check out a rom-com by the same director from 2019. (78 characters)

A Simple Favor is finding a second life on Netflix ahead of the movie's upcoming sequel.

Last Christmas, despite mixed reviews, grossed $123 million at the box office. (71 characters)

A Simple Favor’s Netflix success is a reminder to watch an underrated but popular rom-com from 2019. Based on the 2017 novel by Darcey Bell of the same name, the mystery thriller focuses on Stephanie and Emily, two moms who become friends until one of them goes missing. The cast of A Simple Favor, which was led by Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, did an incredible job of bringing Bell’s book to life. The story is now set to continue with the upcoming A Simple Favor 2.

A Simple Favor hit Netflix in May 2024 and has since surged into the streaming giant’s global top 10 movies. A Simple Favor’s rise in popularity is the perfect reminder to revisit a rom-com by Paul Feig, who directed A Simple Favor. While the two films are not exactly similar, with one being a mystery thriller and another a rom-com, the difference in the reception they got from critics is particularly surprising.

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A Simple Favor's Henry Golding & Paul Feig Reunited On Last Christmas In 2019

Henry Golding and Paul Feig first worked together on A Simple Favor

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Paul Feig has directed many great movies, from the hilarious Bridesmaids to A Simple Favor. Feig and Henry Golding first worked together on A Simple Favor in 2018 before reuniting on the 2019 rom-com, Last Christmas. Feig and Golding’s first collaboration on A Simple Favor was a success and received mostly positive reviews from critics, with the film currently at 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Movie Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Worldwide Box Office (via The Numbers) A Simple Favor September 14, 2018 84% $97.6 million Last Christmas November 8, 2019 46% $123.4 million

While A Simple Favor was a hit for the pair, their second collaboration on Last Christmas, was not as critically acclaimed. Despite its poor reviews, Last Christmas still made $123 million at the box office on a $25-30 million budget. As a comparison, A Simple Favor grossed $97,6 million on a $20 million budget. Feig and Golding will be working together again on A Simple Favor 2, with Feig back in the director’s chair and Golding reprising his role as Sean.

Why Last Christmas Received Such Mixed Reviews From Critics

Last Christmas has a much lower Rotten Tomatoes critic score than A Simple Favor

Despite having a great cast led by Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, Last Christmas did not impress critics and currently sits at 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. One of the biggest reasons Last Christmas received such mixed reviews was because the trailer revealed a major plot twist that was featured in the movie. The revelation in the trailer ended up playing against the film, which didn't have much to offer beyond the twist. Additionally, Last Christmas was incredibly unoriginal.

Related Is A Simple Favor Based On A True Story? A Simple Favor has been praised for its suspenseful screenplay and shocking plot twists, leading many to speculate whether it is based on true events.

The movie was based on a George Michaels song of the same name, which it took literally. Last Christmas heavily uses Wham songs to get its point across even when unnecessary. Further, the chemistry between Kate and Tom left a lot to be desired. Moments that should have been effortlessly romantic ended up looking forced. That said, while Last Christmas doesn't have the same pull as other classic Christmas rom-coms like Love Actually, the movie still manages to remain charmingly funny. Still, it didn't stick the landing as well as A Simple Favor did.

Last Christmas is streaming on Max.