Beetlejuice Beetlejuice takes audiences back to the world created by Tim Burton three and a half decades ago. The sequel brings the Deetzes back to their hometown of Winter River to deal with a family tragedy. The ghosts of their past catch up with them, forcing the Deetz family to finally come together and process their collective trauma in order to move forward once and for all.
It’s not easy, though. Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), the dizzying poltergeist who tormented her years ago, returns to wreak more havoc. But this time, he’s not only trying to cement his relationship with Lydia (Winona Ryder); he’s also fleeing a threat from the past, ratcheting up the story’s tension even further. The result is a sequel that pays tribute to the 1988 original while breaking new ground.
A sequel to Beetlejuice has been in the works for years. After the original film was a box office success, a second installment was rushed into development. And despite a lot of rewrites and Betelgeuse traveling everywhere from Hawaii to the Wild West, nothing stuck.
Rumors have been circulating for decades about a possible return to the world of Beetlejuice. Thanks to the efforts of Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, a script by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Seth Grahame-Greene, and the return of the film’s main cast, Beetlejuice has finally been revived.
Before I continue, please note the following Spoiler warning. If you haven’t seen Beetlejuice yet and don’t want to know any plot details about the new film, turn the page now.
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a homecoming of sorts for Burton. The supernatural comedy was the director’s second feature-length film, hitting the screen a few years after his first film, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Burton and his cast played in a proverbial sandbox, playing with imagination and coming up with unique ideas on the fly that helped meld character and story into a groundbreaking film that cemented Burton’s reputation as a director to watch.
A string of failures has populated Burton’s IMDB page over the past decade, leading many to believe the director had lost his spooky magic. Netflix’s Wednesday gave fans a glimmer of the Tim Burton of the ’80s and ’90s. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice marks the director’s return to form. He’s back in the gothic comedy niche he helped create, and it looks like he’s having a blast.
Burton’s highly anticipated sequel is enhanced by a ton of fun practical effects that reflect the tactile nature of the man’s better works. Witty quips that make you laugh keep the film on its toes. References to Frankenstein, Soul Train, Mario Bava and the Bee-Gees (among many others) keep the tongue-in-cheek mood going and regularly remind audiences that this is a fun ride to be had. Leave your seriousness at the door.
A Beetlejuice sequel would obviously only work with Keaton. The Oscar-nominated actor easily returns to his role as the “ghost with the most.” Keaton moves away from the artificial aura of the many Beetlejuice-inspired properties – the animated series, the Broadway musical, and all the merchandising – and takes Betelgeuse naturally back to what made the character so effective in the first place. He’s aged, has some welcome wear and tear, and seems more grounded.
Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton reprise their roles as Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice.
The afterlife plays a more significant role in the sequel and gives us deeper insights into Betelgeuse’s existence in the underworld. Thanks to a backstory, we see Betelgeuse before his demise and meet his soul-stealing wife Dolores (Monica Bellucci). She wants his love, but Betelgeuse has his eye on Lydia – Despite it – the stage for a strange love triangle.
Bellucci’s addition to the cast means a handful of new, memorable characters appearing this go-round. Justin Theroux’s Rory and Willem Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson bring welcome levity to the film. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we see of Dafoe’s actor-turned-afterlife cop – he really steals all the attention here.
Catherine O’Hara once again brings a crazy, self-centered character to Delia Deetz. The dynamic between Delia and Lydia has calmed down over time, and Lydia now faces a similar struggle with her tormented teenage daughter Astrid.
Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Astrid is the glue that holds it all together. She’s the emotional entry point for the audience. As Lydia’s childhood trauma resurfaces and mother and daughter struggle to reconcile a shared loss, Astrid’s skeptical nature keeps everything grounded.
You’re probably wondering: does Beetlejuice even need a sequel? Honestly, no. You can call it fan service or nostalgia bait. Both are valid criticisms. And they’re also complementary qualities.
The chemistry between the actors, the barrage of visual gags, Tim Burton’s signature world-building and the steady stream of horror humor make Beetlejuice a winner. Ultimately, it’s a welcome dose of cheesy fun. And sometimes that’s all we need.
