Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return in a 2025 revival of Disney’s classic body swap comedy. Read our review of Freakier Friday to see what we loved.
LSA’s rating: 4/5
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Mark Harmon
Director: Nisha Ganatra
Release date: August 7, 2025
What we liked: Following in the footsteps of Greta Gerwig’s 2023 hit, Barbie, Freakier Friday is an unapologetic celebration of girlhood done right. The cast turns in memorable performances led by 1990s mainstays Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, and Chad Michael Murray, culminating in a blast to the past, but made for the chaos and colour of 2025. The wardrobe boasts that inimitable Disney sparkle that recalls millennial classics like Hannah Montana and Lizzie Maguire, complete with a banging musical number that’s primed to take over both soundwaves and streaming platforms by storm.
Plot: Set 22 years after the events of the original Disney comedy classic Freaky Friday (2003), Freakier Friday follows mother-and-daughter duo Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) as they navigate the chaos and drama surrounding blended families.
Mild spoilers ahead in our review of Freakier Friday.
Freaky Friday 2: Release date, cast, plot, and more" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, (max-width: 650px) 75vw, (max-width: 900px) 40vw, 1000px" loading="lazy"> Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan shine in Freaky Friday revival
There’s something inherently iconic about body swap comedies, and even more so when it is led by the extraordinary dream cast of Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. The former has made waves in her active years, her acting prowess cemented in awards and accolades spanning the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the Screen Actors’ Guild, and one coveted Academy Award for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once (2023). As the embattled matriarch of the family Donna in The Bear, Curtis’ talent for shifting genres shines through — nuance, emotion, micro gestures, and comedic timing, the last of which she brings to Freakier Friday with great aplomb.
In the shoes of psychiatrist and author Dr. Coleman, Curtis slips between roles with ease: She is a doting grandmother, a meddling (if well-meaning) mother, and a fully realised character coming to terms with geriatric life. Jokes about joint pain and blood sugar come off a little contrived but still garner laughs.
It’s not surprising that writer Jordan Weiss has opted to go this route; the original Freaky Friday was released in 2003, which means both viewers and actors are now two decades older. I, too, can no longer eat sugar first thing in the morning — a stark realisation I have as I tuck into a box of caramel popcorn, knee-deep in laughter, nostalgia, and an impending sugar high.
If there’s one thing Curtis can be counted on to do, it’s to approach the role full throttle, leaning into the chaos and comedy in that inimitable way. Is it a little cringey? Perhaps. Do we love it anyway? Absolutely. In fact, the best part about this movie is the cast’s reaction to filming.
While there’s no shortage of breaking character and bursting into laughter onstage at Saturday Night Live, it’s far rarer — and therefore precious — to see it in the final edit of a high-budget Disney production. Yet, there it is, a scene so absurdly hilarious that Lindsay Lohan, who boasts decades of film experience, breaks character. Lohan’s trademark The Parent Trap (1998) grin throws us all back to Disney’s storied past, a well-played reminder of a time where movies were silly and fun.
Lohan’s performance all but cements her comeback from her troubled years. With a trio of Netflix holiday romances under belt, the former Disney child star’s return has been an incredible triumph, showcasing her tenacity and determination. Lohan brings heartfelt nuance to the role of former Pink Slip musician Anna, who retired from performing when she had her daughter, Harper. Here, art mimics life; Lohan is easily believable as a mother who would end it all for the love of her daughter, a trait she exhibits in real life with her two-year-old son, Luai.
On artist agency
While not a central theme to the film, Freakier Friday does touch on artist agency in the current climate of artist exploitation — a cause that has been championed by musicians ranging from Taylor Swift to Chappell Roan.
Swift, who recently won a years-long battle culminating in her purchasing and finally owning her masters and life’s work, does not feature in the show. However, Roan’s track “HOT TO GO” forms part of the movie soundtrack, while Britney Spears, a famous example of exploitation in the music industry, makes a fun little appearance. The arc feels deeply personal and incredibly nuanced — especially given Lohan’s history as a child star who also fell prey to the unrealistic standards and exploitative demands of The Industry.
Does Manny Jacinto’s Eric work here?
Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto’s breakthrough role was in Michael Schur’s NBC comedy series, The Good Place (2016 – 2020), where he put in a compelling performance as Jacksonville Jaguars fan and irrevocable Himbo, Jason Mendoza. Since then, he’s gone on to appear in Nine Perfect Strangers (2021), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), and The Acolyte (2024). And while I’ll be the first person to praise Jacinto for his work on The Acolyte, his performance as single father, gourmet chef, and main squeeze here feels a little stilted — especially when contrasted against silver screen legends Curtis and Lohan.
As Eric Reyes, a gourmet restaurateur with a single daughter, Jacinto brings a quiet strength, authenticity, and dignity, further bolstered by his dedication to ‘the bit’. Leveraging his comedic background, Jacinto does not shy away from the silliness required of the movie franchise, inspiring laughter and fondness with ease. However, one thing sticks out like a sore thumb, throwing off the entire performance: His British accent.
Perhaps Jacinto’s bold choice was intentional; after all, his character also boasts Filipino roots. From a storyline perspective, it would make sense for a Filipino-British accent to have its own lilting qualities. However, viewers would well be within their rights to find it distracting, much in the way Rosalind Chao’s Pei Pei and her mother (Lucille Soong) spoke unbelievably bad Chinese in the original film.
Ultimately, Jacinto’s acting prowess does find itself a little stifled for the script’s sake; however, he does his best and brings gravitas when required, mirroring Lohan’s performance with an earnest quality that his fans have come to love. Both Julia Butters (who portrays Harper) and Sophia Hammons (who portrays Lily) turn in excellent performances, capturing the essence of the film with charm and grace.
Is Freakier Friday worth watching?
As someone who thrives on nostalgia, I’d say a resounding yes, Freakier Friday is worth watching. Millennials who were teenagers in the 90s will be glad to see the return Chad Michael Murray, who gives us a hair toss that will single-handedly speak to those who grew up watching One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012) and A Cinderella Story (2004). This is a teenage romantic comedy with the kiss of nostalgia at its finest.
And if that doesn’t appeal to you? Watch it for the fashion — because Lindsay Lohan rocking a blush power suit in 2025 is pure chef’s kiss perfection.
Freakier Friday will premiere on August 7, 2025, at cinemas nationwide.
(Main and featured images: Glen Wilson/Disney)
This article first appeared here
