The Reel Review
More than two decades after a supernatural event resulted in a temporary body swap between mother Tess and daughter Anna, another supernatural body swap occurs, this time also involving Anna’s daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter that threatens to derail Anna’s marriage just days ahead of the wedding. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan star in this Disney comedy sequel to the 2003 film.
Despite a painfully corny, not-so-funny start and a tricky four-person swap that at least initially is hard to follow, Freakier Friday is otherwise textbook filmmaking on how to make a sequel that is both a nostalgic homage to its predecessor while introducing new story elements about the complications associated with blended families. The comedy finds its footing in the second half, with director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, Transparent) including a multitude of fan pleasing nods to and characters from the prior film.
Convoluted plot twists and at times overly-manic performances aside, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan have a terrific onscreen chemistry that builds to a rousing, feel good rock-and-roll ending (Lindsay again sings) and a sweet message about self-sacrifice in mother-daughter and stepsister relationships. While not as strong as its predecessor, Freakier Friday is still a sweet, crowd-pleasing family comedy in its own right.
REEL FACTS
• It was Jamie Lee Curtis who persuaded her friend Lindsay Lohan to return to her first feature film in 18 years since 2007’s I Know Who Killed Me.
• Christina Vidal (Primo, The Terminal List, Training Day) and Haley Hudson (Marley & Me, The Pact, Look) reprise their roles from 2003’s Freaky Friday as Maddie and Peg, Anna’s bandmates.
• Jodie Foster, who starred in the original 1976 Freaky Friday, turned down an opportunity to appear in this film to instead star in the dark comedy/mystery A Private Life, which premieres in November 2025.
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