Disney's Freakier Friday receives mixed reviews

Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return in a body-swap comedy that lacks comedic depth.

Disney film fails to deliver on comedy

In "Freakier Friday," Lindsay Lohan reprises her role as Anna, now a single mother navigating life and relationships. Jamie Lee Curtis returns as her character's mother, Tess. The film introduces a double body-swap scenario where Anna swaps with her daughter, Harper, and Tess switches with the mean girl Lily. While the premise promises vibrant comedy, the execution falls short. Instead of harnessing the tension and humor inherent in such a plot, the film delivers limited laughs due to a lack of distinct character transformation post-swap. Despite its glowing Disney landscape and some touching moments, the film prioritizes family themes over the comedy traditionally expected from body-swap narratives.

The effort to create a more complex story with multiple body swaps seems admirable at first. However, the failure to fully realize the comedic potential results in a restrained viewing experience. The performances, while competent, do not fully embrace the spirit of their characters in their swapped states. The failure to leverage personality contrasts leads to missed opportunities for humor, which is essential for a successful body-swap comedy. Overall, the mix of familial themes with light-hearted comedy creates a pleasant atmosphere, but the lack of strong comedic moments leaves audiences wanting more.

Highlights

While heartwarming moments exist, the comedic core remains frustratingly unfulfilled.