Content warning: This movie review could contains spoilers
Sequel skeptics can relax now. “Freakier Friday” proves that lightning can strike twice, bringing back all the charm, chaos and mother-daughter magic of the iconic “Freaky Friday.”
And boy, did lightning strike big. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the film reimagines the 2003 hit in a fresh package, whisking audiences straight back to their younger selves, right to the first time they laughed through the Y2K classic.
So if you came for a brand-new storyline, you’re in the wrong theater. But if you came for comfort, nostalgia and that familiar Disney humor, “Freakier Friday” is the warm, witty homecoming you didn’t know you needed.
The last time Disney struck this perfect chord was back in the early 2000s and 2010s. Of course, having kept most of the original cast had also done the trick.
For millennials who were in their teens or early 20s when the first movie premiered, this sequel is like being back in your childhood bedroom, pop rock blasting as you perfected the art of tuning out your mom.
Might I say, it’s almost like we’ve swapped bodies with our younger selves. I know, that sounded cringe.
Thankfully, the scriptwriters rose to the challenge, keeping the humor sharp and natural without ever feeling forced.
They didn’t lazily toss in Gen Z references to court younger viewers. Instead, the comedy felt organic and rooted in believable family dynamics, with adults trying earnestly (and often hilariously) to be open-minded and understanding toward the youth of today.
A quirky millennial-Gen Z family dynamic
“Freakier Friday” opens with exactly that — Lindsay Lohan playing the kind of mom she once wished she’d had, now to her own 15-year-old rebel, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis as the cool, therapist of a grandmother.
While Lohan’s “Anna Coleman” and Curtis’ “Tess Coleman” still slip into the occasional I-know-better-than-you exchange, their bond now feels calmer, wiser. This time around, there’s far more honest communication than in their first chaotic go-round.
The plot deepens with a more inter-generational experience of family ties, exploring Anna’s dynamic with her daughter Harper (played by Julia Butters) while also letting history repeat itself.
Anna, who grew up without her father, also loses her husband early on (off-screen in this sequel), mirroring Tess’ past and leaving Harper in the same boat she once was.
But in perfect “Freaky Friday” symmetry, Anna also meets the love of her life in single-dad Eric Reyes (played by Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto) and dives headfirst into wedding plans in less than a year.
READ: How Manny Jacinto reacted after bagging ‘Freakier Friday’ lead
Anna may not share Tess’ wardrobe, but she clearly took a page out of her mom’s playbook with Ryan (reprised by Mark Harmon).
Where the sequel stays loyal
Just like in the original, the body swap is triggered by a blowout, but this time between Anna and Tess, and between Harper and Eric’s daughter Lily (played by Sophia Hammons), who can’t stand each other and clash even harder when forced to move and into the same family.
Then it all goes down during a sleepover between the four, with wind howling, trees rattling outside and frame-by-frame shots capturing each character tossing in bed as the swap takes place — capturing the exact same one from the 2003 classic.
This was just one of many faithful nods to “Freaky Friday,” and the rest? Just pure comedy gold.
Props to Lohan and Curtis for nailing that tricky balance of channeling a kid trapped in an adult’s body, while still pretending to be the adult in question, all without giving the swap away.
Of course, Lily the rising style icon and Harper the laidback and surf-ready girl weren’t about to surrender to the adults’ wardrobes, so they got creative while keeping their personal flair.
It was especially cheesy watching Lily and Harper navigate life in Tess’s and Anna’s bodies, particularly when they awkwardly tried their hand at flirting to derail Anna and Eric’s marriage.
This was perfectly captured during a visit to Jake’s record store (Chad Michael Murray returns), where Harper — stuck in Anna’s body — comically fumbles trying to flip her hair, wink or bite her lip. Meanwhile, Jake can’t help but remember just how smitten he once was for Tess.
A standout homage, however, is the guitar scene from the original, where Anna figures out how to “rock out” with her band Pink Slip while Tess (as Anna) tries to keep up backstage.
This time, it’s Anna and Harper switching bodies, with Anna totally unaware she’s about to play a song she wrote at a concert for Ella, the artist she’s managing. Not to spoil, but this was a much sweeter scene between mother and daughter.
Cast brings back old Disney charm
Even after 22 years, Lohan and Curtis still deliver the timeless comedy we’ve all been waiting for. Was it cringe? Maybe for some, but it absolutely does its job.
After all, that’s exactly what you’d expect when someone tries to live another person’s life. What more when it’s a kid trapped in their parent’s body?
Beyond Lohan and Curtis, Butters and Hammons shine as the mature and sensible parents, delivering performances that are both grounded and sweet.
Of course, the undeniable charm of Jacinto shines through as Anna’s love interest. Known for his quirky role in “The Good Place,” he brings that same humor and warmth to his portrayal of a devoted dad.
While the romantic subplot with Lohan is subtle, he effortlessly delivers adorable rom-com moments, revealing Eric’s deep love for Anna and dedication to their family.
And seeing Jacinto bust his best dance moves was an unexpected treat and a reminder of his diverse talents.
While “Freakier Friday” leans heavily on comedy, it doesn’t shy away from heartfelt moments. It explores the challenges of mending relationships, single parents finding love and striving to unite their families, and showing in-laws their genuine, well-meaning intentions.
It’s in these moments that children come to understand their parents’ love, while parents realize their children do, in fact, care deeply about the unfulfilled dreams they struggled to pursue while raising a family.
Again, the sequel stays true to the original 2003 hit. It may not break new ground, but “Freakier Friday” succeeds as a loving tribute and a nostalgic reunion for parents and twenty-somethings longing for the early 2000s classics.
It’s a delightful, no-fuss movie, and definitely a must-watch.
