Freakier Friday is Rated PG by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for thematic elements, rude humor, language and some suggestive references.
Freakier Friday” (2025) – Movie Review
So, the age-old question returns: when parents and kids swap bodies, who’s on lunch duty? Who’s making dinner? That existential kitchen conundrum gets a new spin in Freakier Friday, the not-so-lean, 22-years-later sequel to the 2003 Freaky Friday starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Yes, it’s really been 22 years don’t worry, that hit me hard too. I was a projectionist back then, threading 35mm prints and marveling at how time flies. This time, the filmmakers decide to double down on body-swapping chaos and generational gags, and while it aims to capture the same spirit as the original, the results are a mixed bag of nostalgia, confusion, and moments of genuine heart.
Let’s talk premise. It’s Freaky Friday there’s no point asking why the body swap happens. It’s magic. Deal with it. There’s always some life lesson lurking behind the curtain that has to be learned before everyone can snap back to their rightful bodies. But here, the concept gets… busier.
Now, Anna (Lohan) is all grown up and raising a daughter of her own. She lives with her mother Tess (Curtis), which already sets the stage for generational tension. The film throws in an offhand comment about Anna being a “single mom,” to which I couldn’t help but wonder do they mean divorced? Artificial insemination? The script isn’t exactly forthcoming. But semantics aside, this sets up three generations under one roof: grandma, mom, and daughter.
Anna’s got a new fiancé who comes with a daughter of his own. So naturally, instead of just the mother and daughter swapping bodies, now everyone starts trading places: Anna and her daughter switch, Tess and the soon-to-be stepdaughter switch, and by the time the dust settles, you might need a chart to keep track of who’s who.
Honestly, the script starts off feeling kind of… off. Tonally, it’s hard to place. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a satire of 2025’s teen culture, or if it was written by Gen Xers trying to speak Gen Z fluently through a Millennial translation. It leans more toward the latter. There’s even a line possibly from Anna in her daughter’s body, or maybe vice versa, it’s hard to tell where someone says, “What old person wrote these out-of-touch jokes?” Which, ironically, feels like the movie accidentally critiquing itself.
And that’s the thing Freakier Friday is overloaded with character swaps that end up blurring the emotional clarity. Several times I found myself staring at the screen, asking, “Okay, wait… who am I watching right now?” That convolution seems to exist mainly to keep Lohan and Curtis front and center, which I get. The daughters who are now “inhabited” by their elders don’t want their parents getting remarried, so they attempt sabotage. Hijinks ensue.
Could all of this have been avoided with a little honest communication? Absolutely. But then again, if characters actually talked things out in these films, we wouldn’t have a Freaky Friday movie at all.
Still, I’ll say this: it’s nice seeing Lindsay Lohan back in the spotlight. After 11 years of sobriety, as of 2025, she seems to be in a really good place, and it shows in her performance. There’s a certain charm, a reminder that yes, this woman was once a teen star navigating an industry built to chew people up and spit them out. Her chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis remains solid. They still know how to bounce off each other in fun, quirky ways.
But not all of it works. Some scenes, like Curtis (as the young girl) trying to coach her granddaughter (as Curtis) on flirting, are just… weird. The logic of who’s who doesn’t always track, and some of the comedy starts to feel like filler bits for the sake of bits.
Structurally, the movie feels padded. With two extra body-swappers, the runtime stretches 20 minutes longer than the 2003 version, though it doesn’t necessarily earn those extra minutes. The daughters have a clear narrative goal wreck the wedding but the adults? They’re often left just… doing stuff. It feels like they were swapped into the bodies of secondary characters without much to do beyond keeping the stars in focus.
As someone who grew up on the Jodie Foster version of Freaky Friday, I have a soft spot for the franchise. Even the 2003 remake had heart and energy. But Freakier Friday, while not without its moments, feels like a lesser echo. There’s heart in the third act, sure. Families reconnect, lessons are learned, emotions get tugged. I’m a sucker for that kind of emotional payoff. But by now, nostalgia’s baked into every sequel. It’s the fuel keeping Hollywood’s franchise machine humming.
Does Freakier Friday justify a theatrical release? Not really. This feels like it was made for streaming something you put on out of curiosity, not urgency. If you’re a diehard fan of Lohan’s version, you might find some warmth in the reunion. Otherwise, you’re probably better off waiting for it to hit your favorite platform.
Freakier Friday (2025) Parents Guide
Violence: There’s no real violence here. The “action” is slapstick: tripping, bumping into things, moments of confusion when teens end up in adult bodies. All played for laughs, not tension. It’s light and harmless enough for elementary-aged viewers.
Language & Humor: Expect mild language words like “shut up,” “freaking out,” and occasional teen sass are standard. There’s zero profanity you’d squirm at, but some jokes lean into generational stereotypes or outdated humor. One character even riffs on the script: “What old person wrote these out-of-touch jokes?” which feels like the film taking a jab at itself.
Sexual Contents: No nudity or explicit content here. What is present: very mild, PG‑level flirtation and innuendo. Think: awkward attempts at pep talks, giggly bedroom talk, and romantic misfires nothing graphic, and most younger kids won’t even register it.
Substance Use: There are brief moments of alcohol consumption wine at a dinner table, shots at a party. They’re light and casual, with no glorification. If you’re sensitive to scenes of any drinking, it’s worth noting and maybe discussing that context with younger viewers.
Recommended Age: Broadly suitable for ages 5 and up, though younger children might struggle with the body‑swap complexity. If your tween or teen is into multi‑perspective humor, this will click. According to parent-focused guides, ages 9–12 and older will get the jokes and echoes of “remember that first movie?.
Conclusion:
So, what do you think? Have you seen Freakier Friday? Which version of Freaky Friday is your favorite? Or what’s your go-to body-swap movie? Whatever it is, drop a comment, let’s talk. And if you enjoyed this review and want more like it, you know what to do click around and explore.
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I am a journalist with 10+ years of experience, specializing in family-friendly film reviews.