by Anna Kendrick has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading ladies, known for her charming on-screen presence and versatile acting abilities. She catapulted to stardom with her portrayal of overachiever Jessica Stanley in the blockbuster Twilight saga, and has since gone on to star in an impressive array of films ranging from musicals to dramas to comedies. But one of her most intriguing recent roles was that of Stephanie Smothers in the 2018 psychological thriller A Simple Favor. The film marked a bit of a departure for Kendrick, and fans were curious what drew her to such an unexpected project. As it turns out, Kendrick’s motivation for joining A Simple Favor stems from her passion for complex female characters, her love of the thriller genre, and her willingness to take risks in her career.
In A Simple Favor, Kendrick stars opposite Blake Lively as Stephanie, a widowed single mother who tries to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily’s (Lively) sudden disappearance. She eventually realizes Emily isn’t who she claimed to be. The film called for Kendrick to play a darker, more nuanced character than she typically portrays. In interviews, Kendrick said this complexity is exactly what appealed to her about Stephanie. She found the character multi-dimensional and full of contradictions – sweet and caring towards her son, yet cunning and vengeful towards Emily. Kendrick relished the chance to subvert her image and show greater range as an actress. She’s spoken extensively about seeking out compelling, flawed female characters that feel like real people. Stephanie allowed her to showcase a new side of her talents.
Kendrick has also made no secret of her love for the thriller genre, particularly those with strong female leads like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. She said A Simple Favor immediately grabbed her attention with its undercurrent of intrigue and complex character dynamics. The story features two powerful women with surface-level similarities, but deep contradictions once their façades begin to crack. Kendrick was fascinated by the unreliable narrator trope presented through Stephanie’s point of view. She’s drawn to movies that keep the audience guessing, and was enthused by the opportunity to star in her own stylish thriller. The chance to film iconic scenes like the martini-making clip that went viral certainly didn’t hurt either. Kendrick clearly had a ball taking things in a more mysterious direction.
Perhaps most importantly, Kendrick was motivated to join A Simple Favor because she saw it as a calculated risk. She purposely sought to work outside her comfort zone, and didn’t want to be pigeonholed into any one type of role. Kendrick has spoken about being strategic in selecting projects that show new dimensions of her talent. She’s incredibly passionate about acting, and wants to continually challenge herself and grow as a performer. Doing a thriller like A Simple Favor diversified her resume and opened her up to new opportunities. Even though she loved playing the quirky characters that first put her on the map, Kendrick didn’t want easy or predictable career choices. Joining A Simple Favor allowed her to surprise audiences, and prove her versatility in handling an edgier role.
Throughout her interviews, Kendrick emphasized she found both the character of Stephanie and the chance to headline a thriller deeply appealing on an artistic level. But she was also cognizant that this was a commercial film with mainstream potential. Kendrick was keen to be part of a project that balanced critical and commercial success. She wanted to show she could draw audiences and open a movie as the undisputed lead. Impressive box office returns proved she achieved this goal. Kendrick has strategically managed to keep one foot firmly planted in the indie world while also achieving superstar status in blockbusters like the Pitch Perfect franchise. Signing onto A Simple Favor allowed her to continue walking that line.
For Anna Kendrick, joining the cast of A Simple Favor checked all the boxes. It offered her the opportunity to showcase her range in a complex lead female role, to work within a genre she personally loves, and to add a commercially successful thriller credit to her increasingly impressive filmography. She spoke extensively about how excited she was for people to see this new side of her on-screen. Taking a calculated risk paid off with a performance that wowed critics and expanded Kendrick’s following even further. A Simple Favor provides a case study in how Kendrick strategically selects roles that keep her career moving forward. She’s driven by the desire for artistic growth, varied challenges, and the chance to constantly surprise audiences. Kendrick’s intriguing motivation for doing A Simple Favor reveals her to be an intelligent actress who knows exactly what she wants in her career. She chooses projects for all the right reasons – creative fulfillment, complexity, and calculated risks. This allows her to stay grounded while also seizing interesting opportunities as they arise. Kendrick’s passion for the art of acting itself is what motivates her bold career choices. For her, fame and success are lovely byproducts, but compelling roles that push her out of her comfort zone will always be the main draw.
