Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.
Credit: Special arrangement
Growing up, Lindsay Lohan movies were a rite of millennial movie-watching passage. This made the prospect of Lohan’s return from a long hiatus to a ‘Freaky Friday’ reboot both exciting and nerve-wracking. While the retention of most of the original cast was reassuring, Hollywood’s ‘sequel syndrome’ still posed a threat. Naturally, one wonders — what could really be ‘freakier’ about this Friday? Turns out, a lot.
The reboot retains core themes of family and inter-generational understanding, but in a different context. It both acknowledges and pokes fun at mindfulness, gentle parenting, blended families, and ageing.
Jamie Lee Curtis proves her mettle, capturing the essence of a cool grandma at the beginning, and later, even the irritated demeanour of a teenager. The appearance of familiar supporting characters (Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Lucille Soong) elicits the same thrill as looking up high school acquaintances online years later. The original cast’s chemistry still shines. The new leads, though young, pull their weight, especially in complex, emotional scenes.
Nostalgia aside, there are a few letdowns. The movie leans heavily into an early 2000s depiction of high school, complete with a food fight. Ageing-related jokes start funny but soon grow flat. Manny Jacinto is a sweet, honest romantic lead. His British accent is inconsistent but he makes up for it with his strong comedic timing.
The script concocts funny scenarios and punchlines. The soundtrack is well-balanced. It’s fun to hear both Chappel Roan and Pink Slip in the same feature.
It’s a super fun watch, especially for those who have loved ‘Freaky Friday’. Watch the original first to catch the many winks peppered throughout.