Freakier Friday Review: Disney's Hilarious Body-Swapping Sequel

A New Take on a Classic: Freakier Friday Revisited

Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 body-switch comedy starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, has given me a fresh perspective. I’ve now become a fan of both films featuring the iconic duo. The original film was a standout in the early 2000s, and this new version brings back the same charm with an updated twist.

Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a nostalgic yet hilarious performance as she wakes up in the body of a 15-year-old, navigating the challenges of being a step-grandmother. The film also features entertaining scenes with a job-switching fortune teller, played by Saturday Night Live alum Vanessa Bayer. These moments are filled with wacky humor that keeps the audience laughing throughout.

The success of the movie relies heavily on the commitment of its stars, Lohan and Curtis. Fortunately, they seem fully invested in this bigger, sillier, and more chaotic follow-up. The film hits theaters two decades after the original, bringing back the beloved characters while introducing new ones into the mix.

This time, the story involves two adults and two teens caught in a body-swapping frenzy. The main cast includes Anna (Lohan), a pop star manager and single mom who is 36 in this universe. Her daughter, Harper (Julia Butters), is joined by her doting psychologist grandma, Tess (Curtis). The family dynamic expands further with the introduction of Anna’s chef fiancé, Eric (Manny Jacinto), and his daughter, Lily (Sophia Hammons).

Harper and Lily, who are mortal enemies, complicate the already evolving family structure. There's also the looming decision about whether the family will move back to London or stay in Los Angeles. When a fortune-teller's meddling leads to a body swap—Lily switching with Tess and Anna trading places with Harper—the teens discover they can use their new bodies to break up their parents.

Although I didn’t grow up watching the original Freaky Friday, I can see why it resonated with so many. Lohan’s young Anna was effortlessly cool, from her punk outfits to her garage band. Her mom, Tess, struggled to understand her teenage issues and passion for music. It wasn’t until they swapped bodies that they began to appreciate each other.

In the sequel, Anna’s teen daughter doesn’t see her as the effortless rock star she once was. Anna’s band, Pink Slip, had some fame, and now she works with a popular musical artist. It takes Harper seeing her mom in action to realize how exceptional she truly is. The film portrays adolescence in a cringey way, from bedroom door notices that say "no triggering" to gluten-free requirements at high-school bake sales.

I appreciated the references to the first movie, which are plentiful. One standout moment was the continuation of Jake’s (Chad Michael Murray) obsession with one of the original film’s stars. The body-switch reveal felt playfully exaggerated, making the experience enjoyable for fans of the original. However, the film includes numerous cameos, bringing back nearly every supporting character from the first movie. While these references add nostalgia, they can feel overwhelming at times.

The mother-daughter quest remains familiar, but the addition of another teen introduces new dynamics. Lohan and Curtis take center stage as bickering, scheming teens, and following them around Los Angeles was a delight. It's clear that this is Lohan and Curtis’ movie, and at one point, I even forgot who was who in the teen bodies. Curtis doesn’t shy away from self-deprecating humor, such as a memorable scene where she reluctantly grabs items from the “senior supplies” section of a store.

While the film’s wrap-up feels rushed and underwhelming, the strained relationship between the two teens adds a fresh layer to the plot. The message about understanding and empathy still resonates. Lohan and Curtis shine brightly, and it's a joy to see Lohan pick up the guitar again, 22 years later.