Freakier Friday (2025)

​“Freakier Friday” stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, Vanessa Bayer, and Mark Harmon.  Released on August 8, 2025, the film has Tess and Anna Coleman switching bodies with Anna’s daughters.

The film is directed by Nisha Ganatra, who also directed films such as “Chutney Popcorn”, “Cake”, “Late Night”, and “The High Note”.  It is a sequel to the 2003 fantasy comedy “Freaky Friday”, which is based on the 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers.  Every so often, we find ourselves curious about what life might be like if we walked in someone else’s shoes.  It not only offers us a glimpse into their unique experiences but also deepens our understanding of their journeys, both the highs and the lows.  Almost fifty years ago, the creative minds at Disney took this curiosity to heart — by literally putting them in each other’s shoes via body-swapping.  The outcome was the 1976 adaptation of Mary Rodgers’ “Freaky Friday”, a fantasy-comedy that follows a mother and daughter who get a taste of each other’s lives after switching bodies on Friday the 13th.  The film, which starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris, was well-received for its charming premise and engaging main leads, resulting in it spawning several adaptations over the years.  

Of course, the one adaptation that truly resonated with audiences and became a significant part of 2000s Disney nostalgia was the 2003 remake starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.  Thanks to the leads’ chemistry and Lohan’s popularity among the Disney crowd, the remake is regarded as a nostalgia favorite by those who grew up in that era, serving as a reminder of Disney’s former magic in its live-action outings.  In an unexpected twist, the studio decided to revisit this nostalgic gem with a sequel rather than simply remaking the film’s concept for the umpteenth time.  I know that Disney loves to revive or expand its classic IPs from time to time, but “Freaky Friday” is one IP I didn’t expect the studio to expand upon, let alone its 2003 adaptation.  But, at the very least, it reunited Curtis and Lohan for another round of body-switching mayhem, but are they enough to successfully recapture the IP’s freaky charm?  Let’s find out.  

The story revolves around Tess (Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lohan), whose bond was rekindled after their body-switching adventure.  Fast forward twenty-two years, and Anna is now a mother to her surfer daughter, Harper (Butters), and is preparing to marry her new fiancé, Eric Davies (Jacinto).  However, Harper is not too keen on having a new father, especially considering Eric’s daughter, Lily (Hammons), who bullies her at school.  As they navigate this significant transition, the family encounters a mysterious phenomenon that causes them to switch bodies once more.  This time, Tess and Anna find themselves in the bodies of Lily and Harper, while Anna’s daughters are trapped in Tess and Anna’s bodies.  As the daughters seize this peculiar opportunity to sabotage Anna and Eric’s upcoming wedding, Tess and Anna must once again break the curse by helping them discover the true value of family.

When it comes to “Freaky Friday”, my only experience with Disney’s freaky franchise has always been the 2003 adaptation.  It was one of the films that made me admire Lindsay Lohan’s talents within the Disney environment before her personal challenges led to a temporary hiatus.  Throughout the 2000s, I often visited this movie whenever I craved a good laugh—whether that meant one chuckle or five.  It wasn’t until recently that I revisited the film once more in preparation for its surprisingly out-of-left-field sequel.  Unsurprisingly, it still held up well, thanks to its charismatic heart, fun humor, and chemistry between Curtis and Lohan.  Although it also makes the existence of this freaky sequel even more questionable in my eyes.  However, since I had fond memories of the 2003 film, I felt compelled to see if the body-switching adventures of the mother-daughter duo were worth continuing.   

“Freaky Friday” is one of the family films that deftly balances its comical shenanigans with heartfelt themes that resonate with audiences, especially mothers, daughters, and even musicians.  The body-swapping hilarity amid Tess’s engagement is undeniably charming, thanks to Curtis and Lohan’s chemistry.  Yet, the film’s true emotional depth emerges from the strained relationship between Tess and Anna, whose lack of communication and understanding with each other leads to their literal role reversal.  It highlights the significance of selfless love through comprehension, even amid the complexities of family ties.  So, how does “Freakier Friday” measure up to this high standard?  By revisiting the predecessor’s engagement premise while adding in the stepdaughter dynamic with a dash of “reverse Parent Trap” to spice up the body-swap misadventures.  You know, because “Parent Trap” is another Disney remake that Lindsay Lohan starred in.  The result can be summarized by the saying, “second verse, same as the first”, given Anna’s musical rockstar persona.  However, that second verse wound up being just as freaky and surprisingly fun as the characters’ previous body-swapping experience.

Was it as good as the 2003 film?  Far from it.  Was the sequel unnecessary?  Absolutely, but “Freakier Friday” possessed a certain charm and nostalgic appeal that harkens back to Disney’s earlier theatrical live-action endeavors.  The sequel, though initially seeming unwarranted, succeeded the most when it embraced the core elements that made the 2003 adaptation so beloved.  One of which was its story, which closely mirrors that of the 2003 film, with Anna stepping into Tess’s shoes as she prepares for her marriage to Eric.  Meanwhile, both Harper and Lily take on Anna’s role, grappling with their mixed feelings about having a step-parent.  Particularly noteworthy is Lily, whose difficult behavior conceals her unresolved grief over her mother’s passing.  The body-switching curse propels them on a coming-of-age journey that allows the daughters to see their relationships and perspectives more clearly.

Writer Jordan Weiss, recognized for her work on “Dollface” and the direction of “Sweethearts”, has taken those similar narrative beats to heart regarding her screenplay, mainly because it’s the 2003 film again, but with the stepdaughters.  Despite its predictability and complex plot elements, Weiss infused the body-switching shenanigans and dialogue with plenty of enjoyable humor and charismatic energy.  She also balanced these comedic elements with touching, heartfelt drama, emphasizing themes of selfless love, familial connections, and dealing with grief.  For the latter, Weiss deserves extra credit for briefly exploring Lily’s dilemma a bit more.  Some of its comedic moments fell flat, and specific scenes seem designed solely for nostalgic fans who grew up with the 2003 film.  Do you guys remember the Pink Slip song “Take Me Away”?  Well, the movie brought that back to remind you how good it was.  Fortunately, the remaining ones provided enough warmth and chuckles to warrant another round of body swaps and humorous family dynamics that came with them.

Nisha Ganatra had a big task of living up to the high standards set by Mark Waters in his direction of “Freaky Friday” before his career experienced a downturn with some of his recent projects.  Reflecting on her filmography, I remembered only watching “Late Night”, although it failed to leave a lasting impression.  Consequently, “Freakier Friday” served as my first genuine experience with Ganatra’s directorial vision.  After viewing the film, I had a reason to believe that there’s potential in seeing more of her works in the future.  Similar to the approach Jordan Weiss took with her screenplay, Nisha Ganatra grasped the everlasting, freakishly captivating charm of “Freaky Friday” and infused it into the sequel, complete with some lighthearted slapstick to entertain young audiences.  It’s the balance between comedy and heart that Ganatra took advantage of, utilizing its fun and crazy concept without losing track of the family drama she wanted to represent, mainly the relationship between the soon-to-be stepdaughters.  This adept handling of these two elements highlighted Ganatra’s ability to provide a film that would resonate with both children and adults, similar to what Waters did with “Freaky Friday”.  

However, there were moments when the sequel seemed as if it were initially intended for a Disney+ release.  It wasn’t solely due to the film’s quality, which didn't quite match the impact of the 2003 film.  Then again, that film wasn’t revolutionary in its filmmaking either, so perhaps the comparison is unjustified.  It’s also the editing choices that contribute to this perception.  Eleanor Infante, the film’s editor, aimed to maintain a consistent pace suitable for its target audience, considering the sequel’s puzzling 111-minute runtime compared to its predecessor’s 97 minutes.  Unfortunately, the film’s transitions and visual appeal came out pretty disjointed.  At various points, the film seemed to set up or carry on a joke, only to suddenly cut to the next scene, creating an awkward pace that becomes noticeable by the minute.  This unevenness, along with its visuals, occasionally gave the film the appearance of a made-for-television production.  Thankfully, the editing wasn’t as lazily incompetent as the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake, which was notably atrocious for its hasty opening sequence.  This was mainly due to Nisha Ganatra’s ability to capture the charm and warmth of life’s chaotic yet endearing moments, particularly in the portrayal of familial bonds.

The crucial aspect of “Freaky Friday” lay in the dynamic chemistry between Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, whose engaging and comedic rapport authentically captured the humor and depth of the mother-daughter relationship.  The actresses’ connection was essentially the reason I began following their careers, particularly that of Curtis, who has demonstrated her versatility in comedy as effectively as she has in horror.  “Freakier Friday” showcased that the leads had not lost their touch, even after twenty-two years, not just as their own characters but also as others inhabiting their bodies.  Jamie Lee Curtis brought immediate delight as Tess, whose demeanor is more akin to a lively, fun-loving grandmother than the stern mother from the 2003 film.  Despite this shift, Curtis infused her role with ample comedic flair, further underscoring her diverse acting capabilities, reminiscent of her performance in “Freaky Friday”.  Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan ensured that her return to acting remained impressive, echoing the promise she showed at the start of her career.  Her portrayal of Anna’s evolution from a rebellious teen to a struggling mother was compelling enough to remind me why I admired her work in the 2000s.  Lohan retained the spirited essence of her early roles while adding a mature depth to Anna, which enriched the character.  I’m glad that Lohan is still thriving after a period of absence due to her personal challenges, and I hope this performance opens doors for her to explore more theatrical opportunities outside her Netflix rom-coms.

The young actresses portraying the stepdaughters also delivered commendable performances to lend a helping hand to the main leads.  Julia Butters made a name for herself in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “The Fabelmans”, and now she’s part of the body-swapping misadventure alongside Curtis and Lohan.  Butters’ performance as Harper was undeniably entertaining in conveying her character’s usual teenage traits, but she shines the most when she’s portraying Anna in Harper’s body.  Sophia Hammons also made a noteworthy debut as Lily, Harper’s soon-to-be stepsister whose crude demeanor hides her insecurities.  Despite beginning her acting career with the “Under Wraps” remake and its sequel, “Freakier Friday” marked Hammons’ first foray into theatrical cinema, and she handled it admirably.  It’s hard to say whether it means we’ll see more of these young actresses in future roles, but based on how they did in this movie, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were to be the case.  Chad Michael Murray contributed a few humorous moments as Jake, Anna’s former boyfriend, though his comedic impact wasn’t as strong as in the first film.  Vanessa Bayer as Madame Jen, the fortune teller, was a suitable addition to the cast, but I can’t say her humor is in the same league as the rest of the actors.

Overall, “Freakier Friday” is a surprisingly fun and heartfelt sequel worthy of continuing its predecessor’s freakishly body-swapping appeal.  It doesn’t introduce anything particularly novel to its familiar storyline, aside from incorporating the stepdaughters into this quirky situation.  Not to mention, the film’s quality can be inconsistent, particularly in its uneven pacing and editing.  These issues may deter some viewers from sticking around for another round of body-switching mischief.  However, for those eager to dive in, whether for nostalgic reasons or as newcomers, it offers a lighthearted yet imperfect delight that compensates for its noticeable flaws with an entertaining mix of body-swap comedy and family drama.  Curtis and Lohan continue to shine with their chemistry as Tess and Anna, while Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons display considerable promise in their roles as the rival stepdaughters.  I also commend Nisha Ganatra for recognizing the impact that “Freaky Friday” has had on its fans, not just through its blend of humor and heart but also through its endearing messages about selfless love, dealing with grief, and family.  While some may view it as an unnecessary sequel, it’s one that I wouldn’t mind existing, especially since it’s as tolerable and freaky as being in someone else’s shoes for a day.  

B-