Blake Lively left fans squirming in their seats during a surprise Another Simple Favor screening at SXSW, not just because of the film’s wild twists. The actress, who reprises her role as the enigmatic Emily Nelson in the darkly comedic sequel, admitted one scene was so awkward she “almost walked out” while watching it with the audience.
“I knew the curveball was coming, but actually seeing it play out in a room full of strangers? Mortifying,” Lively joked during the post-screening Q&A. The moment in question? A raunchy, laugh-out-loud sequence that takes Emily’s chaotic antics to shocking new heights. While Lively stayed tight-lipped on specifics, she teased, “Let’s just say… my parents will not be getting a screener.”
The sequel, directed again by Paul Feig, doubles down on the twisted friendship between Emily and Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie, blending murder-mystery thrills with outrageous humor. But Lively said the film’s bold risks had even the cast questioning boundaries. “We kept asking, ‘Are we allowed to do this?’” she revealed. “Turns out, yes… and it’s very uncomfortable to watch.”
The SXSW crowd erupted in applause after the film, praising its audacious tone. Kendrick, who joined Lively virtually, called the dynamic “deliciously unhinged,” adding, “Blake’s fearless. I’d follow her into any dumpster fire… literally.”
Another Simple Favor hits theaters on April 26, with insiders hinting the sequel’s wild plot could spark a franchise. Until then, fans are left guessing: What exactly did Blake Lively do that’s too scandalous for her parents?
Stream the teaser now—and pray your own mom isn’t watching