'Freakier Friday' Review: Controlled Chaos, Cracklingly Comical, Slightly Choppy

Freakier Friday

In theaters

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto & more

Directed by: Nisha Ganatra

Rating - *** (3/5)

For viewers raised on a diet of Bollywood cinema, the idea of body-swapping comedies may bring back unfortunate memories. Often played for cheap laughs, these stories relied heavily on gender-based stereotypes, outdated physical gags and a style of humor that rarely landed. Anyone who has sat through a few of the infamous 'Mister ya Missus' body-swap films knows exactly what that looks like.

It is not surprising then that the body-switch trope has come to feel worn out, especially when handled with minimal imagination. It is a concept that needs reinvention, not repetition. So when Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday, was announced, expectations were cautious at best. Would this be another tired retread, or could it find a way to rework the formula for a new era?

New Roles, Familiar Faces

This time around, the story picks up years after the events of the original. Anna, played once again by Lindsay Lohan, is now a mother to a spirited and slightly rebellious teen, Harper, portrayed by Julia Butters. Tess, Jamie Lee Curtis’s character, is now a grandmother, still carrying that feisty spirit but with a touch more patience. The family dynamic seems normal enough until things get unexpectedly complicated.

Anna begins dating Eric, played by Manny Jacinto. In a twist no one saw coming, he happens to be the father of Lily, Harper’s biggest rival at school. So now we are looking at the possibility of lifelong enemies suddenly becoming stepsisters. Before anyone can emotionally process this, something supernatural takes over and suddenly everyone is waking up in someone else’s body. Harper is now in her mom’s body, Anna is trapped in Harper’s, and Lily has somehow switched with Grandma Tess. The stakes are no longer double but quadrupled.

The Waiting Game Before the Storm

The first thirty minutes of the film are more of a slow simmer than a rapid boil. The jokes are amusing but tend to linger, and the narrative takes its time setting up the dynamics before the swap happens. At one point, you may find yourself impatiently checking the screen, wondering when the actual madness will begin. There is a lingering sense of knowing what is coming, and wanting the film to get there faster.

But once the swap finally happens, the story hits full throttle. The mayhem that follows is loud but tightly managed, and surprisingly clever. The four-way switch allows for endless permutations of misunderstanding, and the chaos never feels too overwhelming or out of control. That is when the film begins to click.

Jamie Lee Curtis Steals Every Scene

Jamie Lee Curtis proves once again why she remains such a force on screen. Her portrayal of Tess inside Lily’s teenage body is filled with wild energy but still rooted in performance craft. She pokes fun at herself, embraces the absurdity of the situation, and brings physical humor without ever going into cartoon territory. She seems to be enjoying every moment of it, and that joy becomes infectious.

Lohan, meanwhile, brings a different flavor to the role. As Anna inside Harper’s body, she carries both the responsibility and the confusion with a strong sense of rhythm. When she gets a chance to completely unhinge in one particular scene, she delivers with full impact. It is a brief reminder of why she dominated this genre back in her heyday.

The Younger Cast Holds Strong

Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons may be the younger members of the cast, but they are far from sidelined. Butters especially impresses as she portrays a teenager dealing with the very adult problem of being in her mother’s body. She never overacts or leans into caricature, instead playing the part with maturity and nuance.

Hammons as Lily brings her own share of surprises. Her scenes with Jamie Lee Curtis are some of the most delightful in the film. The chemistry between all four leads feels incredibly organic, and that believable rapport keeps the narrative emotionally grounded even when the plot itself is anything but.

Supporting Roles That Do Just Enough

Manny Jacinto plays the love interest with charm but never distracts from the main story. Chad Michael Murray appears as Jake and brings some nostalgia along with a welcome calm to the madness. Both actors are used sparingly but effectively, and the film never turns them into distractions or unnecessary eye candy. Their presence supports the core story rather than pulling focus.

What is worth noting is how the film presents its male characters. They are supportive, appealing, and emotionally open without being reduced to props. It is a nice reversal from how male-driven comedies often treat their female characters.

A Modern Take Without Losing the Essence

Credit must be given to director Nisha Ganatra and writer Jordan Weiss for managing a tricky balance. The film is tuned in to the current moment. It understands Gen Z language, online culture, and the shifting family dynamics of today. But it never overplays its hand. There is no preachiness, no forced attempts to be relevant. The writing simply reflects the world as it is, and lets the characters do the work.

The film also manages to hold on to the core emotional beats that made the original Freaky Friday resonate. Under all the identity confusion and comedic disaster lies a sincere exploration of empathy. It is about understanding people close to you by literally walking in their shoes. That concept still hits hard, and the film knows it.

The Editing Fumbles Slightly

If there is one area where the film stumbles, it is the editing. Just before the climax, there are a few sequences that feel unnecessarily dragged. Some of the emotional peaks lose their edge because the transitions between scenes are not as seamless as they should be. These moments do not derail the film, but they do slow it down just when the momentum should be peaking.

This brief loss of pace makes you aware of how tightly constructed the earlier portions were. It is a small dip in what is otherwise a well-paced story.

A Joyride With Real Insight

Freakier Friday manages to be more than just a laugh-fest. It carries a story that makes room for chaos, clarity, and connection. It has enough new elements to feel original while still nodding to what came before. It trusts its cast to carry complex emotional switches and delivers a final product that is both entertaining and intelligent.

And no, this is not just a movie aimed at a female audience. It is not about moms or daughters or teenage girls. It is about relationships, generational friction, and how seeing life from another person’s perspective can shake everything up.

Final Thought

This sequel could have easily fallen into every trap the genre is known for. Instead, it side-steps nearly all of them. By refusing to rely on tropes and leaning into the performances, Freakier Friday proves that body-swap stories are not out of date. They just need to be handled with intention and a bit of creative chaos.

The bodies may be switched but the result is a film that is switched on, tuned in, and thoroughly enjoyable. And of course, I reiterate, to see Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee-Curtis have so much fun without abandon is perhaps one of the treats you look forward to. And it delivers on all fronts. Sometimes just having fun is all you need.

Are you planning to watch the film in theaters this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.