“My face looks like a Birkin bag that’s been left outside in the sun to rot!”
Anna (Lindsay Lohan) and Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) are back in the highly anticipated sequel to the 2003 hit, Freaky Friday.
In Freakier Friday, the mother-daughter duo navigates new roles in their lives, including Anna being a mother herself while Tess is now a grandmother who is a little too involved at times. The film beautifully captures the relatable dynamics of a multi-generational family, where love and support often come with a touch of interference. It’s not to say that Anna doesn’t appreciate her mother’s support, but she doesn’t want her mother undermining her decisions as a parent either. Especially with a rebellious and surf-loving daughter, Harper (Julia Butters).
However, when Harper and her snobbish classmate Lily (Sophia Hammons) get into an altercation at school, Anna and Lily’s father, Eric (Manny Jacinto), are called in to speak with the principal. This chance meeting results in Harper and Lily’s lives colliding in ways they never wanted or dreamed of. Of course, when a zany fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer) speaks with Anna, Tess, Harper and Lily at a party, a new comedic body swap is underway to rival the first film.
Directed by Nisha Ganatra with a screenplay by Jordan Weiss and a story by Weiss and Elyse Hollander, Freakier Friday is a barrel of laughs. The movie seamlessly blends the nostalgia from the first film with modern elements of the current one, giving audiences a familiar yet still fresh take on the plot. This balance of old and new elements keeps the audience intrigued and excited, making it a must-watch for both fans of the original and new viewers.
The Freakier Friday cast has excellent chemistry and takes the film to new heights. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reprise their roles as Anna and Tess, respectively. Similar to the first film, the actresses work well together and spend more time with one another in this film than they did in Freaky Friday, where they had to go it alone in various scenes after the body swap, such as when Tess had to go to work or Anna had to attend her high school classes, etc. The duo have different shoes to fill this time around, and both Lohan and Curtis do a great job at embodying their younger co-stars as they finally decide to work together in an effort to split their parents up. Hilarity and chaos ensue, but what stands out is how this creates a bonding experience for the soon-to-be stepsisters, which shows that Lohan and Curtis’s chemistry still endures many years after the first film.
It was also a nice addition to see Anna’s besties and fellow Pink Slip band members Maddie (Christina Vidal) and Peg (Haley Hudson) make a return in this film as well. Of course, we cannot forget Anna’s first beau, Jake (Chad Michael Murray), whose reappearance gives us one of the best scenes throughout the film, thanks in part to Lohan’s impeccable comedic chops. Lastly, shoutout to Marc Harmon, who portrays Anna’s stepfather, Ryan. As seen in the first film, Ryan is the epitome of a nice guy who wants the best for his family. We get the same this time around, too, with the addition of a hilarious pickleball tournament. This scene, while seemingly light-hearted, actually serves as a pivotal moment in the film, bringing the characters closer together. As per usual, Harmon is great even with his limited screen time, but he has an excellent scene near the end of the movie that will hit you right in the feels.
As it pertains to the newcomers, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, and Manny Jacinto are pitch-perfect. The trio have great chemistry with one another and with Lohan and Curtis as well. This creates an utterly believable family dynamic that many people, especially those in blended families, can relate to. The film’s portrayal of blended families is not only relatable but also heartwarming, showing that family is not just about blood relations but also about the love and support we give each other. The trio seamlessly fit with the already established faces of the franchise, cementing themselves into the Freaky Friday family with ease. Butters and Hammons do a fantastic job of portraying their respective characters, but also morphing into Anna and Tess once the body swaps occur. The pair have excellent comedic timing just like their co-stars, and both were exceptional in the emotionally-charged moments of the film, proving their prowess as young actors.
Jacinto is extremely lovable as Anna’s beau, Eric. He gives all the leading man energy you’d want and has fantastic chemistry with Lohan. I will never forget the dance sequence. Bless the writers who added that into the story. Jacinto perfectly plays both the doting father who wants the world for his daughter, and the perfect fiancé could be the source material of your favourite romance books or rom-coms. You’ll likely leave the theatre wishing to find your own charming Eric.
Aside from the captivating cast, what makes Freakier Friday stand out is the emotional core within the film. The movie is not just about the shenanigans that come with a body swap, nor is it limited to the tone of the first film. It’s about the emotional journey of the characters, their growth, and the bonds they form. While the movie is full of comedy that will have you cackling in your seat, it also delivers a powerful emotional punch. Yes, some moments tugged at your heartstrings in the first film, but in Freakier Friday, there were even more of these moments peppered throughout. In fact, some might leave you downright teary-eyed. It is a perfect blend of what worked in the first film, multiplied.
When a sequel to Freaky Friday was announced, I was excited but wary of what we might get. However, any wariness is gone after having watched Freakier Friday. This is precisely how you couple nostalgia and newness to give those who saw and loved the 2003 flick and viewers of this new one something to come together for and enjoy. Freakier Friday is a hilarious sequel that not only caters to the fans of the original but also has the ability to bring together generations with its heart, humour and relatable family dynamics. It’s a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family, making it a perfect choice for a movie night.
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