Freakier Friday: Reunion Body‑Swap Comedy Worth the Wait?

Freakier Friday brings the beloved characters Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) back to the big screen in a brand-new body-swap comedy that adds a surprising new twist: this time, four people switch bodies instead of two. Released on August 8, 2025, this film mixes nostalgia and modern humor in a family-friendly adventure.The Times+15Wikipedia+15The HoloFiles+15

What Happens in the Movie?

The story picks up years after the 2003 original Freaky Friday. Anna is now a successful music manager and mother to Harper (Julia Butters). Tess is now a grandmother and author, hosting a parenting podcast.

When Anna falls in love and plans to marry British chef Eric (Manny Jacinto), tensions flare in their blended family—especially between Harper and Eric’s daughter Lily (Sophia Hammons). At Anna’s bachelorette party, a fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer) triggers magical body swaps between the four women: Tess becomes Lily, Anna becomes Harper, and vice versa. They must navigate confusing bodies and divided identities while preparing for the wedding.Associated Press+15FanBolt+15Entertainment Weekly+15

Characters Shuffled

Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Tess Coleman. This time, she’s Nora trapped in her granddaughter’s body. Curtis delivers her funniest, most energetic performance yet.FanBolt+3The Guardian+3The HoloFiles+3
Lindsay Lohan plays Anna, now raising her daughter and running a career. As her teenage self again (after switching), she shows moments of teenage swagger but critics say she never quite matches Curtis’s energy.Wikipedia+15The Washington Post+15New York Post+15
Julia Butters as Harper and Sophia Hammons as Lily carry much of the newly layered swap. Their performances are emotional and fun, though some critics feel their parts aren’t given enough weight.The Guardian+13The HoloFiles+13The Daily Beast+13
Manny Jacinto plays the charming fiancé, whose romance sparks the family tension. He handles romantic awkwardness with subtle humor.timeout.com+9FanBolt+9https://www.azfamily.com+9

Comedy, Confusion, and Chaos

The twist of four-way swapping builds new chaos and comedic layers. See Tess (in Lily’s body) trying to handle teenage fame and social media, or Anna (in Harper’s body) struggling with high school drama. The script uses these situations for laughs and character insight.FanBolt Loud And Clear Reviews

Critics note that the body-swap humor can be hard to follow at times. More characters mean more confusion about who is whose body—and why they behave in certain scenes.The Washington Post Times Union
Still, once the swap happens, most reviews agree that the movie finally gains energy and becomes genuinely fun.The HoloFiles Loud And Clear Reviews

What Works Well

Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show: She fully embraces her role, adding physical comedy, wit, and surprising vulnerability.Inckredible The Daily Beast
Nostalgia hits just right: Returning cast members like Chad Michael Murray and Mark Harmon offer subtle nods to long-time fans without overwhelming new viewers.Wikipedia+1
Emotional highlights rooted in family and empathy: The swap offers perspective on what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes—literally.FanBolt fictionmachine.com
Generational humor plays well: Teens discovering old tech or adults navigating teenage crises provide laughs with emotional truth.FanBolt Loud And Clear Reviews

What Misses the Mark

Slow setup: The first 20–30 minutes are heavy on backstory and light on laughs. Many critics say the film only becomes interesting when the swap happens.The HoloFiles Loud And Clear Reviews
Overstuffed plot: With four swapped characters, side plots like social media references and wedding chaos often feel forced and superficial.FanBolt
Script feels repetitive: Some critics note that it often repeats jokes and scenarios from the original rather than innovating.ctinsider.com Times Union

Review Ratings Highlights

Time Out gives Freakier Friday 3 out of 5 stars, calling it “infectious, ridiculous fun” despite narrative holes.Reddit+15timeout.com+15Wikipedia+15
Entertainment Weekly offers a positive A– grade, praising its heart and relatability alongside nostalgic charm.Entertainment Weekly
AP News rates it 2.5 out of 4 stars, noting strong performances and nostalgic appeal but calling the plot occasionally confusing.Associated Press
The Guardian and other outlets highlight Curtis’s comedic brilliance while questioning whether the sequel adds enough freshness.The Guardian

Final Verdict

Freakier Friday may not reach the iconic heights of the original Freaky Friday, but it’s a worthy, enjoyable sequel. It’s lively in parts, emotional in others, and filled with enough nostalgia to satisfy longtime fans. Jamie Lee Curtis provides the biggest laughs and emotional depth, while Lohan proves her return to Disney film is welcomed.

If you grew up with the original or enjoy family comedies with a magical twist, Freakier Friday is worth the wait. It’s messy and a bit predictable, but ultimately sweet, energetic, and full of chaotic charm.