Jamie Lee Curtis is pushing back in a big way against criticism of her new movie Freakier Friday, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2003 Disney hit Freaky Friday. The Oscar-winning actress, who has been a driving force behind bringing this project to life, isn’t about to let a harsh review dampen her enthusiasm or the excitement of fans who’ve been waiting over two decades to see Tess and Anna Coleman back on screen.
It all began when Time magazine shared an Instagram post featuring a snippet of film critic Stephanie Zacharek’s review of the sequel, which is now playing in theaters. The post included Zacharek’s line: “No one, as far as we know, actually asked Disney for a sequel to 2003’s buoyant, surprisingly unsyrupy generation-gap comedy Freaky Friday.” It was a blunt remark that seemed to suggest the film’s very existence was unnecessary.
Curtis, never one to shy away from speaking her mind, took to the comments to respond directly. “SEEMS a TAD HARSH. SOME people LOVE it. Me being one,” she wrote. Her words weren’t dripping with anger, but they were unmistakably pointed—a mix of humor, honesty, and just enough edge to make it clear she wasn’t about to let the film be dismissed without a fight.
She wasn’t standing alone, either. Fashion designer Brandon Maxwell chimed in with his own note of support, writing, “I really loved this movie ❤️.” Even Expedia got in on the conversation with a playful comment aimed at lightening the mood: “Sounds like someone needs a vacation 👀 May we suggest a digital detox to Nantucket spending your day taking in charming streets and peaceful beaches?” It was a cheeky way of saying maybe the reviewer could use a little more relaxation and a little less snark.
The movie itself is a continuation of the story that so many people fell in love with in the early 2000s. Back then, audiences watched as angsty teenager Anna Coleman, played by Lindsay Lohan, swapped bodies with her high-strung psychologist mother Tess, played by Curtis. The original film was praised for being both heartfelt and funny, with a sharp look at the dynamics between mothers and daughters. Now, over twenty years later, the tables have turned yet again. Anna is an adult, raising her own teenage daughter, Harper Coleman, portrayed by Julia Butters. Tess, meanwhile, has embraced a new chapter in her life as a podcast host—and as a loving, but overbearing, grandmother.
Fans of the first movie will recognize a familiar face in Chad Michael Murray, who reprises his role as Jake, the motorcycle-riding dreamboat who charmed Anna back in the day. Seeing these characters again is a nostalgic trip for many, and Curtis has said from the beginning that she wanted this film to have the same heart and warmth that made the original so special.
But Zacharek’s review didn’t pull any punches. Beyond her comment about no one asking for the movie, she wrote that the sequel “is a movie that manages to humiliate everybody.” She went on to say that it “appears to exist largely for one reason: to grift off the fondness many adults have for the original, even though the sequel has none of that picture’s breezy, observant charm.” For a project that Curtis has championed for years, this was the kind of criticism that could sting. But her public response shows she’s not letting it get to her in a way that will overshadow what the movie means to her—or to its fans.
Curtis has been candid about the journey to get Freakier Friday made, explaining that the biggest obstacle wasn’t a lack of interest, but timing. In a recent interview with USA TODAY, she said there was no way to make the sequel until Lindsay Lohan was old enough to convincingly play the mother of a teenager. “There was no possible way we could have done a sequel to Freaky Friday until Lindsay was old enough chronologically to be the mother of a 15-year-old,” she explained.
That realization came unexpectedly in 2022, during the release of Halloween Ends. Curtis recalls doing the math in her head: “I counted on my fingers, and I was like, ‘How old is she?’ I think she was 35 at the time. I was like, ‘Oh, wait a minute! She could’ve had a baby at 20!’” That little moment of arithmetic was the catalyst she needed.
Without wasting time, Curtis picked up the phone and called Disney CEO Bob Iger. “I’m just letting you know I’ve been around the world and the only thing people want to know is when is there a Freaky Friday sequel—and Lindsay is old enough to have a 15-year-old,” she told him. It wasn’t just a pitch; it was a promise that there was an audience hungry for more of this story.
Her instincts weren’t wrong. In the years since the original, Freaky Friday has become a cultural touchstone for a generation. It’s been quoted, meme’d, and rewatched countless times. For many, it’s not just a funny movie—it’s tied to memories of growing up, bonding with family, and seeing a rare example of a mother-daughter relationship explored with such empathy on screen. That emotional connection is exactly what Curtis hoped to tap into with the sequel.
Of course, the challenge for any follow-up is to balance nostalgia with freshness. Too much of one and it feels like a cash grab; too much of the other and it risks alienating the very people who loved the first movie. Curtis and her co-stars knew that fans would come in with expectations, and they worked to honor the tone and charm of the original while expanding the story into new territory.
That’s why, for Curtis, Zacharek’s suggestion that the film was made solely to “grift off” affection for the first movie doesn’t tell the whole story. From her perspective, this wasn’t about capitalizing on the past—it was about continuing a story that still resonates with audiences today. The sequel reflects how both the characters and the actors themselves have grown, embracing the passage of time rather than pretending it hasn’t happened.
Curtis’ playful but firm clapback at the review is also a reminder that she’s been in Hollywood long enough to know not everyone is going to love what you make. She’s built a career that spans genres—from horror classics like Halloween to comedies like A Fish Called Wanda—and she’s weathered both critical acclaim and harsh pans. But in this case, her response wasn’t just about defending herself; it was about defending the work of her co-stars, the crew, and the fans who have been vocal about their excitement.
The online reaction to her comment suggests that many people are indeed on her side. Social media is full of fans posting about how much fun they had watching Freakier Friday, sharing clips and quotes, and praising Curtis and Lohan for their chemistry, which hasn’t dimmed a bit over the years. In an era when nostalgia-driven projects can often feel forced, many viewers have said this one struck the right balance between familiarity and new twists.
Curtis’ defense of the film also fits perfectly with the public persona she’s cultivated over the years—direct, witty, and fiercely loyal to the projects she believes in. She’s the kind of actor who doesn’t just show up for the paycheck; she invests herself in the work, and when she talks about a project, you can tell it matters to her. That’s why her calling out what she saw as an overly harsh review resonated with so many people. It wasn’t about thin skin—it was about pride in something she helped make happen.
There’s also an unspoken truth in her comment that “SOME people LOVE it.” Movies aren’t made for critics alone; they’re made for audiences. And in the end, the people who show up, buy a ticket, and walk out with a smile are just as important to the success of a film as any star rating or pull quote. Curtis knows that, and it’s part of why she’s so confident in standing by Freakier Friday.
As the film continues its theatrical run, the conversation surrounding it has only grown. While some critics echo Zacharek’s view that the movie can’t match the spark of the original, others have praised it for leaning into the changes that come with age, parenthood, and shifting family dynamics. For younger viewers, it’s a relatable coming-of-age story; for older fans, it’s a reminder of where these characters started and how far they’ve come.
For Curtis, the response—good or bad—reinforces something she’s learned throughout her career: the only movies that don’t get criticized are the ones no one cares about. And clearly, people care about this one. Whether they’re debating its merits online, defending it in Instagram comments, or planning to see it a second time, Freakier Friday has sparked discussion, and that’s a victory in itself.
In many ways, Curtis’ decision to publicly respond to a negative review is emblematic of the sequel’s very existence. Both are acts of belief—belief that the story was worth revisiting, belief that the audience would show up, and belief that it’s okay to stand up for something you love, even if it’s not universally adored. After more than forty years in Hollywood, she’s earned the right to speak her mind, and in doing so, she’s reminded fans why they’ve loved her all along.
At the end of the day, Freakier Friday is more than just a sequel; it’s a reunion between actors and audiences, a chance to revisit characters who’ve grown and changed along with the people who first met them in 2003. It’s a movie about the bonds between mothers and daughters, the humor and chaos of family life, and the ways we all navigate the passage of time. Curtis knows that some people will roll their eyes at that, and she’s okay with it. As she’s proven, she’s happy to let the critics have their say—as long as she gets to have hers, too.
And if her words are any indication, she’ll continue to love Freakier Friday, no matter what’s written in the reviews. Because for her, and for plenty of fans, the joy of seeing Tess and Anna back on screen outweighs any snark in a headline. In the world of Jamie Lee Curtis, some movies aren’t just made to be dissected—they’re made to be loved. And that, in her eyes, is reason enough.