Freakier Friday: A Funny, Heartfelt Love Letter to Motherhood and Sisterhood
If you grew up on the 2003 Freaky Friday, you know the magic—chaos, comedy, and a few tears sprinkled in. The new Freakier Friday brings that same heart but adds even more layers to the relationships between women. This time, the body swap doesn’t just happen between mom and daughter (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan). Anna’s daughter Harper and her soon-to-be stepsister Lily get caught in the mix too—meaning we get multiple generations of women literally walking in each other’s shoes.
Sisters, even if you’re not “really” sisters
Harper and Lily don’t exactly start as besties. There’s competition, insecurity, and the awkwardness that comes with blending families. But when they swap bodies with the older gals, Harper into her mom, Anna’s (Lindsay Lohan) and Lily into her step-grandmother, Tess’ (Jamie Lee Curtis), they get a chance to bond under the most extreme circumstances—and get a glimpse into the lives of their older counterparts, gaining a new respect for them in the process. It’s messy, it’s hilarious, and it’s exactly what makes their eventual bond feel real.
The body swap forces them to understand each other, like why Lily resents her and her father’s transition to LA, and misses London, a place deeply connected to her late mother. And why Harper doesn’t want to uproot her life for what she believes is her mom’s way of punishing her to be with a man she’s only known for six months. As the two interact with other characters, such as Eric, Anna’s fiance (played by Fil-Am actor, Manny Jacinto), and Ryan, Tess’ husband (played by Mark Harmon), they begin to see why this new possible life and family dynamic could actually be great.
It also becomes clear to Harper and Lily that their parents are deeply in love, and allows Harper to realize that her mom, Anna, is not as uptight or uncool as she thought she was (a mirroring of the first movie). Anna has been trying to get closer to her, even taking surfing lessons (Harper being an avid surfer) as a way to connect. The same can be said for Lily who sees she is still her dad’s number one girl. The swap strips away the assumptions and gives them something rare: empathy.
By the time they swap back, the walls are down. They haven’t just survived a ridiculous, magical disaster—they’ve gained a sister. And it’s not the “picture-perfect” kind of sisterhood, but the honest, unconditional kind that comes from knowing someone’s mess and loving them for it.
Also read: What Wicked Teaches Us About Female Friendships
Feminism without the lecture
One of the best things about Freakier Friday is that it’s written, directed, and led by women—and you can feel it. The movie doesn’t preach feminism, it just shows it. The girls learn to listen to each other. The moms let go of control and trust the younger generation. And the guys? They’re around, but they’re not steering the story. The women are the heart and soul here.
Every major choice, conflict, and resolution comes from female characters. And the feminist energy isn’t about being flawless or fearless—it’s about seeing each other fully. Tess lets go of the need to micromanage her daughter’s life. Anna balances being a mom and a friend without losing her own identity. Harper and Lily realize that their worth doesn’t depend on competition or comparison.
That’s the kind of feminism we love to see—where women of all ages model what it means to respect each other’s voices, trust each other’s decisions, and cheer each other on. It’s a reminder that empowerment often happens in the small, everyday moments—not just the big speeches.
What works (and what’s a little “meh”)
Jamie Lee Curtis is pure joy. Lindsay Lohan brings warmth and depth in her return to the big screen (we love the LiLo resurgence!). The two together, even in younger bodies, still pull off the best mother-daughter duo the 2000s has seen. Both the original and sequel don’t hold back on portraying motherhood in all its unique challenges, drama, and delights. Anna, now a mom, gets her own dose of teenage angst from her daughter, Harper, while navigating single motherhood and a career––with the support of now helicopter-grandma, Tess, who can’t help but mother Anna’s mothering.
And the younger cast, Harper (Julia Butters) and Lily (Sophia Hammons)? Total scene-stealers. The movie nails the whole “modern family” vibe—different generations, step-siblings, and the messiness that comes with it.
That said, it does lean on a lot of the same body-swap gags we’ve seen before. You’ll definitely feel the nostalgia, but sometimes you wish they’d taken a few more risks with the story. Also, we might not have really needed Jake (Chad Michael Murray) to come back, buuuut throwing him in there was definitely a millennial thrill. If not for the plot, at least for his smoldering stare and gorgeous bod.
Also read: Top 10 Movie and TV Moms That We Love
The heart of it all
At the end of the day, Freakier Friday is about empathy. About realizing that even if someone’s life looks easier, you don’t know the whole story until you’ve lived it. And that’s the kind of lesson that never gets old—whether you’re a mom, a daughter, a sister, or a friend.
It’s funny. It’s heartfelt. And it’s a sweet reminder that sisterhood—by blood or by choice—can change everything.
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