Lindsay Lohan's return to the big screen in Freakier Friday has been met with a lukewarm reception, with critics panning the sequel as an unfunny nostalgia trip. The film, a follow-up to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday, sees Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reprising their roles as mother-daughter duo Tess and Anna, who once again swap bodies under mysterious circumstances. This time, Anna's daughter Harper (Julia Butters) and Eric's daughter Lily (Sophia Hammons) also get caught up in the body-swapping chaos.
Despite the magical realist premise, the film fails to deliver genuine laughs, relying instead on tired jokes about generational differences and physical ageing. The plot follows Harper and Lily as they try to sabotage Anna and Eric's wedding, but the comedy falls flat due to a lack of originality. Critics note that the film misses an opportunity to showcase Lohan's comedic talents, instead offering a pale imitation of her earlier work.
One glaring inconsistency is the characters' accents: despite swapping bodies, all characters retain their original accents, with Curtis not attempting a British accent even when inhabiting a British character. This oversight highlights the film's lack of attention to detail and creative ambition. Julia Butters stands out as the sole performer who convincingly mimics Lohan's mannerisms, but her efforts are wasted in a script that prioritises nostalgia over innovation.
Director Nisha Ganatra's sequel leans heavily on references to modern culture, such as 'safe spaces' and gluten-free options, but these feel forced and fail to resonate. The film's reliance on cameos and callbacks to the original does little to elevate the material. For Lohan, who has spoken about reclaiming her career after years of media scrutiny, Freakier Friday represents a missed opportunity for a meaningful comeback.
Ultimately, the film serves as a reminder that not every beloved classic needs a sequel. While it may satisfy fans of the original seeking a dose of nostalgia, it offers little for new audiences or those hoping for a fresh take on the body-swap comedy. Freakier Friday is in cinemas now, rated PG, with a runtime of 111 minutes.
