Freakier Friday Review: Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis Reunite For A Nostalgic, Heartwarming Sequel

More than two decades after Freaky Friday released and became a pop culture staple, Disney has brought back the body-swapping magic to the big screen. This time around, there are more body swaps, more generational conflict, and a whole lot more heart. Freakier Friday, directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Jordan Weiss, reunites Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in their beloved mother-daughter roles. But this time, they’re not alone. The chaos expands to the next generation, as Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons step into the action alongside the OG duo, making this sequel a multi-generational family comedy filled with nostalgia, fun, and a dash of 2000s over-the-top absurdity. Here’s what the critics and audience have to say about the new film.

What’s the plot of Freakier Friday?

The movie is set 22 years after the original film and follows ‘Anna Coleman’ played by Lindsay Lohan, who is now a successful music executive and single mom to ‘Harper’ played by Julia Butters. ‘Anna’ is engaged to ‘Eric’, a celebrity chef played by Manny Jacinto. He also has a teenage daughter of his own, ‘Lily’, played by Sophia Hammons. Jamie Lee Curtis is also back as 'Anna’s' mom, 'Tess', and is now a thriving therapist.

Things take a magical and chaotic turn during 'Anna’s' bachelorette party when a psychic, 'Madame Jen', played by Vanessa Bayer, accidentally triggers a double body-swap spell. This leads to ‘Anna’ swapping with ‘Harper’, while ‘Tess’ swaps with ‘Lily’. The result? Four women end up in the wrong bodies and are now trying to survive emotional breakdowns, career mishaps, a wedding that is now in jeopardy, and TikTok fame. As the story progresses, in a classic Disney wholesome manner, they all start to understand each other better.

Freakier Friday is a wholesome combination of great performances, nostalgia and family fun

According to critics, the film’s biggest win lies in its performances and emotional core. Lindsay Lohan steps back into ‘Anna’s’ shoes almost effortlessly, bringing back both warmth and humour of the 2000s beloved character. Her comedic timing, especially when channelling her rebellious daughter, 'Harper' is being widely appreciated by critics and fans alike. Her scene with Chad Michael Murray, who is returning as ‘Jake’, serves as a hilarious callback to the original movie.

Jamie Lee Curtis is as committed and charming as ever, nailing the physical comedy aspects and teen awkwardness when she is acting possessed by ‘Lily’s’ Gen Alpha spirit. Watching Jamie try to plump her lips, take selfies, or rock crop tops is equal parts funny and endearing. Newcomers, Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons are being praised for holding their own beautifully against the veterans. 

Overstuffed plot and missed opportunities make Freakier Friday a miss

While the performances from the actors shine bright, Freakier Friday struggles with its plot pacing and structure. The story juggles multiple subplots from immigration interviews to wedding sabotage, and not all of them land which can leave the audience uninterested at some points. Some of them feel abrupt, with scenes almost crashing into each other at times.

Critics have given the verdict that the supporting cast members like Vanessa Bayer, Chloe Fineman, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan are sadly underused, despite their comedy potential. With a little more screen time and sharper writing, their roles could’ve been elevated and made the storyline richer. Additionally, the psychic behind body-swap trigger feels lazy and unexplained, though the film, like its predecessor, asks viewers to just go with the flow.

Fan Reactions towards Freakier Friday

Fans of the original Freaky Friday and longtime Lindsay Lohan followers have flooded social media with praises. Many have called this film her 'true comeback' and celebrated her on-screen chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis. A user commented, “Freakier Friday actually being good and very funny omg! This is one of the rare times a sequel really worked out well, ” and another one wrote, “ Somehow Freakier Friday wasn't just nostalgia bait and it actually turned out to be a well-made sequel.”

Final Verdict: Is Freakier Friday worth a watch?

Freakier Friday may not completely match the charm or originality of the 2003 classic, but it doesn't really need to. It is a nostalgic, chaotic, and heartfelt family comedy that pays tribute to its roots respectfully while making room for a new generation. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are a dream team, and the younger cast brings in a fresh energy that feels like a breath of fresh air. While the plot is a tad bit messy and some characters are underused, the film still delivers the laughs and warm fuzzies you expect from a Disney body-swap tale. 

What are your thoughts about Freakier Friday?

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