The real magic of Freakier Friday is picking up where we left off — and seeing how everyone's grown
From an ever-growing list of comeback concerts by the bands that raised us (hello KRU, Boyz II Men, Sheila On 7) to watching '90s and 2000s fashion trends take over our social media feeds, the entertainment industry is giving millennials many reasons to feel young again.
Now with Freakier Friday in cinemas, it's like we're treated to another sweet bowl of nostalgia.
From angsty teen to weathering the storms of motherhood, Lohan's Anna is all grown up. Photo: Disney
The film sees the return of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, reprising their iconic roles from the 2003 remake.
It's a typical body-swap plot, but the story reflects more than just teenage angst. More so, it mirrors generational healing.
For the sequel, the chaos doubles when another body swap sends not just mum and daughter, but three generations into a whirlwind of mistaken identities.
Tess Coleman (Curtis), now a chill grandma, and her grown-up daughter Anna (Lohan) are back at it, but this time, Anna's teen daughter Harper (played by rising star Julia Butters) and Lily Reyes (Sophia Hammons) also get pulled into the magical mess.
Anna's teen daughter Harper (played by rising star Julia Butters) and Lily Reyes (Sophia Hammons) also get pulled into the magical mess. Photo: Disney
Disclaimer: there are some spoilers here, but I can't write this review without acknowledging the easter eggs. If you're planning to catch it fresh, consider this your cue to keep those eyes peeled.
What I can say is that the film knows exactly who it's speaking to and it rewards those of us who still remember Lohan's entire monologue from Mean Girls or when Hallie met Annie for the first time in The Parent Trap.
In this film, Lohan's character is set to marry her love interest, Eric Davies, played by Manny Jacinto. Their wedding date? Oct 3rd.
In film, Anna (Lohan) is set to marry Eric Davies (Manny Jacinto). Photo: Disney
If you watched Mean Girls - you would know what this date means. It's the date that lives rent-free in our brains thanks to Aaron Samuels asking Cady what day it was in Mean Girls.
Remember Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap? She makes a cameo here too, but this time Elaine Hendrix isn't sparring with 11-year-old Lohan on screen.
Also, Anna's teenage band from the original Freaky Friday, Pink Slip, makes a return!
Elaine Hendrix reunites on screen with Lindsay Lohan for Freakier Friday. Photo: Disney
Characters we grew up with
Let's talk about Lohan. There's something about seeing her back in this role. She's an actress who was once the very embodiment of early 2000s teen stardom, and is now playing a mother balancing work, teenage angst and her own identity crisis. Something us millennials can relate to.
It's not an Oscar-bait performance, but it doesn't need to be. Lohan brings quiet depth to Anna, especially in the quieter scenes.
Lohan was the it girl of our adolescence. But then came the tabloid years, the burnout, the cruel punchlines.
Now, in her late 30s, she's back and in this movie, she doesn't try to pretend she never fell. She sincerely plays Anna as a mother who is fiercely loving yet slightly overwhelmed.
From angsty teen to weathering the storms of motherhood, Lohan's Anna is all grown up. Photo: Disney
The new generation
While Freakier Friday gives us everything we want from Lohan and Curtis, it also smartly passes the baton or at least shares the screen with a promising new generation.
Harper is the emotional anchor of the film's next-gen storyline. She's not a bratty teen; she's a smart, observant, slightly guarded girl who can smell parental insecurity far ahead.
In some moments, she channels peak 2004 Lohan energy, equal parts uncanny and full of promise.
Chad Michael Murray also reprises his role as Jake, though his screen time is lighter this time around. Photo: Disney
So what's the verdict?
Freakier Friday lets millennials see reflections of our chaotic, coming-of-age past while letting Gen Z stake their claim to their own awkward glory.
The plot is predictable, but that's beside the point. It's really about picking up where we left off with these characters.
Curtis is as iconic as ever, Lohan proves she still has that magic, and the younger cast holds their own with charm and comedic timing.
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