In the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday, the latest iteration flips the script in a hilarious and unexpected way. The film follows the life of Melanie,
a workaholic tech mogul played by Emma Roberts, who is constantly at odds with her rebellious teenage daughter Lena, played by Storm Reid. Tensions rise when they argue over everything from social media addiction to Melanie’s inability to understand Lena’s love for vintage fashion.
The twist occurs after a bizarre accident during a weekend getaway in a remote mountain cabin. The two women are caught in a freak lightning storm while participating in a ritual to “connect with their ancestors” (which was Melanie’s idea). They are struck by lightning, which results in their minds swapping bodies — but this time, it’s not just a temporary change.
As the story progresses, Melanie, in Lena’s body, experiences what it’s like to be a teenager again, struggling to navigate high school drama, friendship dynamics, and Lena’s complicated relationship with her best friend, Charlie (played by Jaden Smith). Meanwhile, Lena, now trapped in Melanie’s grown-up body, has to deal with the high-stakes world of a tech empire, negotiating with investors and facing workplace betrayals.
The most shocking twist comes at the film’s climax: when the two finally figure out how to reverse the body swap, they discover they’ve become stuck in each other’s bodies permanently, unless they both sacrifice something they care deeply about. Lena, having learned the importance of responsibility, decides to step up as Melanie’s partner in her tech empire,
leading to a heartfelt yet bittersweet goodbye. In the final scenes, Melanie, now permanently in Lena’s body, runs a multi-million-dollar business, but she starts using her platform to advocate for more mindful digital consumption, having seen the impact of her work on Lena’s generation.
Freakier Friday concludes with a montage showing both characters thriving in their new roles, proving that while they may never fully understand each other, they’ve learned to respect their differences. And, as always, they share one last, heartfelt moment — this time with a mutual understanding that family, no matter how odd, is everything.
