Review: Freakier Friday – A Freaky, Chaotic sequel to a Disney Classic

Director: Nisha Ganatra
Writers: Jordan Weiss, based on Mary Rodgers’ novel Freaky Friday
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Julia Butters
Production Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Genre: Fantasy Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

Freakier Friday reboots the beloved body-swap premise with an edgier, more chaotic flair. This time, the generational clash stretches beyond mother and daughter—introducing new perspectives on identity, technology, and the struggle to understand family in the age of social media. While the film retains Disney’s heartwarming spirit, its pacing sometimes feels overloaded, leaving certain emotional beats underdeveloped.

Jamie Lee Curtis proves once again why she’s Hollywood royalty, commanding the screen with her comic timing and grounded gravitas.
Lindsay Lohan makes a nostalgic yet refreshing return, bringing layers of wit and vulnerability to her performance. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is the breakout star, injecting youthful energy and relatability for Gen Z audiences. The soundtrack blends retro Disney vibes with TikTok-ready pop, appealing to multiple generations. A few clever twists on the body-swap mechanics deliver genuine laughs, even if some gags overstay their welcome.

The magic mirror shatters, the candles glow, and suddenly, lives are swapped in ways that are freakier than ever before. Nisha Ganatra’s direction leans into fast-paced humor and slapstick chaos, but she also touches on deeper questions—What does it mean to truly know your family? How do parents and teens navigate generational divides amplified by digital culture?

That said, the film sometimes stumbles under its own ambition. The writing juggles too many arcs, which occasionally dilutes the emotional punch that made the 2003 Freaky Friday so iconic. Curtis and Lohan keep the movie grounded, while Ramakrishnan injects a modern freshness, but secondary characters feel underwritten.

At nearly two hours, the runtime stretches longer than necessary, with a mid-act lull that could have been trimmed. Still, Freakier Friday succeeds in giving Disney’s formula a chaotic facelift, even if it doesn’t fully surpass its predecessors.

Freakier Friday is a fun, if uneven, revival that thrives on nostalgia and star power. It’s not flawless, but it’s a worthy popcorn watch for families and fans who grew up with the franchise.