More than two decades after the mother-daughter mayhem of Freaky Friday (2003), Disney’s returns to the body-swap well with a bigger ensemble, more swaps, and a zanier premise in the charming and hugely entertaining Freakier Friday. Director Nisha Ganatra and one time HeyUGuys writer Jordan Weiss smartly avoid reboot fatigue by leaning into the legacy of its stars, while passing the torch to a new generation.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan effortlessly revive their iconic roles as Tess and Anna Coleman, who are now navigating new, complicated stages of life. Tess is semi-retired, and Anna is a busy music producer woman and single mother to feisty teenager Harper (Julia Butters). Things are already complicated before the magical body-swap chaos begins again. This time, however, it’s not just two people trading places. The film expands the family web to include Harper, her soon-to-be stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons), and Anna’s charming fiancé Eric (The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto). This sets the stage for multiple swaps that spiral hilariously out of control.
Curtis remains a comedic powerhouse, balancing slapstick with sincerity, while Lohan’s return to Disney is a nostalgic delight. Her performance as both a frazzled adult and, at times, a hormonal tween trapped in her mother’s body, reminds us of the sharp comic timing that made her a teen icon. Julia Butters holds her own alongside the vets, delivering a standout performance as the precocious yet vulnerable Harper. Hammons also impresses in her feature debut, giving depth to what could have been a stock “moody tween” role.
The film thrives on its ensemble. Seeing Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Rosalind Chao, Ryan Malgarini and others reprise their roles is a treat for fans of the 2003 version. Murray’s Jake now plays the ex-boyfriend who finds himself reluctantly involved in more body-swap shenanigans, to hilarious effect.
Tonally, Freakier Friday walks a tightrope between slapstick and sentiment. It stumbles slightly in the middle act, where the pacing lags under the weight of its expanded cast and increasingly convoluted switcheroos. Some emotional beats, particularly around blended family dynamics and intergenerational tension, could have used more breathing room. But when the film lands, it lands. A scene in which Harper and Lily come to understand one another while inhabiting each other’s bodies is as heartfelt as anything in the original.
The film doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it spins it faster, louder, and with more passengers. It may not reach the perfect alchemy of its 2003 predecessor, but it offers a genuinely fun and funny family experience that feels both modern and nostalgic. Most importantly, it lets Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis shine once again, reminding us why we fell in love with them in the first place.
Freakier Friday is a spirited sequel that honors its past, embraces the chaos of the present, and delivers a delightfully messy message about empathy, family, and the weird joy of walking in someone else’s shoes.
