Freakier Friday Review

Rather than revisiting the Freaky Friday storyline yet again (Disney already took that approach in 2018), Freakier Friday emerges as a clever continuation of the beloved 2003 version starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film brilliantly captures that nostalgic early 2000s charm while injecting enough contemporary freshness to feel relevant in 2025. This balancing act could've easily fallen flat, but the filmmakers smartly amplify the chaos by introducing additional daughters—and consequently multiplying relationship dynamics exponentially.

Taking place roughly two decades after the original, Freakier Friday finds Anna (Lohan) and Tess (Curtis) having matured from their transformative ordeal. Anna has evolved from aspiring musician to successful manager while parenting her rebellious teen Harper (Julia Butters). Their clashes feel authentic but never reach the volcanic levels of Tess and Anna's earlier relationship—until Anna starts dating charming British chef Eric (Manny Jancito), who just happens to be father to Harper's school rival Lily (Sophia Hammons).

The central chaos unfolds similarly yet differently—instead of Anna and Tess swapping bodies at a wedding, all four women awaken scrambled after consulting a cryptic fortune teller during Anna's bachelorette celebration. Now Harper inhabits Anna's body while Tess finds herself stuck as Lily.

Admittedly, the film takes its sweet time reaching the juicy parts. The overly dense first act painfully establishes Anna and Eric's meet-cute alongside Harper and Lily's hostility. Even post-swap, the narrative stumbles momentarily as characters embark on disjointed side quests. But once the pieces click into place, Freakier Friday transforms into pure chaotic delight.

Some humor admittedly strains too hard for Gen Z relevance, but most jokes land beautifully—whether mocking vintage board games or contemporary pickleball obsessions. Clever callbacks abound too, including a surprise cameo from Chad Michael Murray reprising his role as Anna's high school flame.

The veteran leads absolutely steal the show. Curtis delivers a masterclass physical comedy as image-obsessed Lily trapped in Tess's mature physique—watch her hilariously overproduce Tess's passport photo with lip plumpers and ring lights. Meanwhile, Lohan subtly conveys Harper's dawning realization of maternal sacrifices through beautifully restrained expressions. Their scenes together crackle with effortless chemistry.

While Hammons and Butters initially falter with sluggish detention scenes, they gradually find their footing during riotous family sequences. This unevenness somewhat mirrors the plot—since Tess and Anna have already resolved their issues, the emotional weight shifts to mending Harper and Lily's fractured dynamic.

Ultimately, Freakier Friday thrives as a multi-generational exploration of female relationships. Though it can't possibly examine every angle, the film wisely focuses on Harper's evolving perspectives toward both her mother and rival. The character growth unfolds organically beneath the slapstick, making the eventual heartfelt moments feel authentic rather than forced.