These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for A Simple Favor.
Representation / casting choices
Naturalistic casting fits the suburban Connecticut setting and story logic with white leads and fitting supporting roles including Henry Golding as the British husband; incidental background diversity appears but carries no visible signaling or mismatch complaints.
20 / 100
Political / ideological dialogue
A handful of pointed lines critique traditional feminine habits like excessive apologizing and push female assertiveness and sexual confidence; no extended political speeches, current-events references, or institutional lectures.
30 / 100
Identity-driven story themes
Core thriller relies on hidden identities, twin deception, and personal crimes rather than modern identity politics; however, the intense, flirtatious, obsessive dynamic between the two female leads includes a visible make-out scene and strong queer subtext that has created dedicated LGBTQ+ cult appeal, adding noticeable weight under scoring rules for visible queer elements.
A 2018 black comedy mystery thriller follows single mom and parenting vlogger Stephanie who befriends glamorous PR executive Emily, only for Emily to disappear and pull Stephanie into a twisting investigation of murder, fake identities, insurance fraud, and long-buried family crimes. The story centers two flawed, assertive women driving a stylish noir plot full of dark secrets and betrayals, with visible feminist messaging that critiques traditional female passivity and encourages confidence plus sexual ownership. A charged female friendship with a make-out scene and intense obsession dynamic adds clear queer subtext that has given the film cult appeal among some LGBTQ+ viewers, though the core remains twisty entertainment rather than activist messaging.
Light satire on the myth of perfect suburban motherhood versus ambitious career life and on gendered expectations around apology and passivity; family abuse backstory stays personal and historical, with no modern systemic patriarchy, capitalism, or anti-conservative framing.
25 / 100
Legacy character or canon changes
Not relevant.
0 / 100
Anti-woke backlash / 'too woke' complaints
No documented right-leaning or anti-woke complaints treating the film as pushing DEI, identity politics, or agenda-driven content; reception stayed centered on fun and performances.
0 / 100
Creator track record context
Paul Feig has repeatedly built projects around strong female leads in male-coded genres, most notably the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot that became a flashpoint for representation debates; Jessica Sharzer is identified as a queer screenwriter with credits on American Horror Story, which frequently centers LGBTQ+ and gender-identity stories; other key crew show no comparable patterns.
