Freakier Friday review: Twice as many body swaps, but this ropy sequel’s only half the fun

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Verdict: Clunky body-swap comedy

For approximately five decades now, it’s been since the initial Freaky Friday release, which was based on Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel. Notably, she was the daughter of Richard Rodgers, who collaborated with Oscar Hammerstein on renowned musicals such as The Sound of Music, The King and I, South Pacific, and Oklahoma!

This family is exceptionally talented. To this day, we continue to appreciate the musical numbers composed by their father, and the humorous concept of a body swap in “Freaky Friday” remains relevant… as evidenced by its impressive eight adaptations.

In both the 1976 film and its popular 2003 remake starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, the characters portrayed were those of a feuding mother and daughter who experienced life from each other’s perspectives in a unique swap. This transformation led to personal development, often referred to as emotional growth.

In the sequel of the 2003 movie “Freaky Friday,” both Lindsay Lohan and her co-star are once again involved in an unusual occurrence. Instead of affecting only one duo of women, this time it impacts two sets of them.

And yet, instead of being twice as good it’s only half as good. There’s a lesson there somewhere.

Anna Lohan currently finds herself as a solo parent to her teenage son who’s passionately into surfing, named Harper Julia Butters. Her own mother, Tess Curtis, lends a helping hand whenever possible.

In my journey, nestled within the sun-kissed landscapes of California, a serene rhythm was interrupted when a captivating figure named Eric, an amiable restaurateur, graced my world. Hailing from England, he arrived with his lively daughter Lily, following the loss of his beloved wife.

It turns out advantageously for the awkward storyline that Lily and Harper attend the same high school and are sworn adversaries. Harper frequently criticizes Lily, remarking that she believes herself to be superior because she’s British, while mockingly referring to her as ‘Briddish.’ In addition, she often ridicules Lily’s supposedly irritating accent.

There’s some truth to what she says. Lily comes across as quite pompous, much like a British character written for Hollywood. (Alternatively, Lily seems rather haughty and snobbish, reminiscent of a British character in a Hollywood script.)

Moreover, young Hammons, though pretty as a picture, somehow keeps forgetting to act.

Maybe we should blame Jordan Weiss’s ropy script, or the effort (for a Californian) of straining

The hostility between the two young ladies intensifies significantly, as Anna and Eric quickly become engaged. (For those unfamiliar with Knightsbridge vowels, they are a set of accents commonly associated with the affluent London district.)

In a shocking turn of events, it appears that Harper is considering relocation to London, where an avocado can cost as much as $11. Similarly dismayed by this prospect is Lily, who faces the distressing possibility of returning home and having to live with a step-sister she detests. However, just when all hope seemed lost, a touch of magical realism intervenes.

In the 2003 film, I admired the clever plot twist featuring a Chinese woman who orchestrated the body-swap, but there were concerns raised about cultural stereotyping. This time around, however, it’s an unpredictable American psychic, humorously portrayed by Vanessa Bayer, who takes on that role. I found her performance quite entertaining!

In summary, Harper takes residence in her grandmother Tess’s body, while Lily occupies Harper’s mother’s body. This exchange, although perplexing, allows Curtis to show off his modesty by gazing into a mirror and lamenting over the wrinkles on his face and supposed lack of lips.

In a humorous twist, Harper and Lily, sporting their fresh personas, initially persist in attempting to sabotage their parents’ relationship. To be honest, during the film screening I attended earlier this week, there were occasional bursts of hearty laughter echoing around the room.

In essence, Nisha Ganatra’s Freakier Friday left me yearning for a body-swapping experience with someone who wasn’t actually present in the movie.

 

This film, however, is surprisingly chilling, an exceptional psychological thriller that gradually escalates into intense and undeniably gruesome supernatural terror. It keeps you hooked from start to finish.

As a dedicated follower, I’m excited to share that the mastermind behind this gripping tale is Zach Cregger, whose electrifying debut solo feature was the nerve-wracking Barbarian (2022). This new work serves as a compelling sequel, offering a captivating glimpse into a small American town that has been deeply shaken by an unsettling event. In the stillness of the night, at exactly 2:17 am, 17 students from the same elementary school class mysteriously rose from their beds and vanished without a trace after fleeing their homes.

Several concerned parents and town residents believe that Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), the children’s teacher, might be holding back more information than she is sharing.

In her thoughts, Miss Gandy suspects that the enigma could be linked to Alex, the only student from the class who didn’t disappear. A fine acting job was delivered by young Cary Christopher in this role.

Skilledfully, Cregger narrates the chilling tale across six chapters, providing insights into numerous pivotal moments from the viewpoints of several principal characters.

One of them is a father whose child has gone missing, portrayed by Josh Brolin. Initially, he, like others, harbors doubts about Miss Gandy. However, growing frustrated with the lack of police advancements, he decides to take matters into his own hands and conduct independent investigations, which eventually lead him down a distinctly different path.

The title suggests a symbolic reference to school shootings, among other incidents, represented by the term “Weapons.” However, it seems this text doesn’t follow that interpretation. Instead, one might wonder about the actual themes or events that are being addressed in this context.

In this piece, you won’t stumble upon any hints, but let me assure you it’s filled with startling surprises and a dramatically intense conclusion. There’s a touch of humor skillfully integrated to balance out the intensity. Overall, it’s an intricately woven narrative that’s expertly executed.

Both films are in cinemas now.

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2025-08-08 02:52