Beetlejuice Beetlejuice returns audiences to the world Tim Burton introduced three and a half decades ago. The sequel takes 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 work through their collective trauma in order to move forward once and for all.
But it’s not easy. Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), the rogue poltergeist who tormented them all years ago, returns to wreak even more havoc. But this time, he’s not just trying to mend his relationship with Lydia (Winona Ryder); he’s running from a threat from the past, raising the stakes even further. The result is a legacy sequel that pays homage to the 1988 original while pushing things into uncharted territory.
A Beetlejuice sequel has been in the works for years. After the original film was a box office success, a second installment was put into development. And while there were a ton of rewrites, with Betelgeuse going everywhere from Hawaii to the Wild West, nothing stuck.
For decades, rumors have swirled about a possible return to the Beetlejuice universe. Now, 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 core cast, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has finally been resurrected.
Before I go any further, I would like to ask you to note the following: spoiler warningIf you haven’t seen Beetlejuice Beetlejuice yet and want to avoid the plot details of the new film, turn back now.
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice marks a homecoming of sorts for Burton. The supernatural comedy was the director’s second feature, coming to the big screen a few years after his first film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure , which made waves. Burton and his cast played in a proverbial sandbox, pretending and coming up with unique ideas on the spot, helping to weave character and story together in a groundbreaking film that cemented Burton as a director to watch.
A collection of misfires have populated Burton’s IMDB page over the past decade, leading many to believe the director has lost his creepy mojo. Netflix’s Wednesday gave fans a glimpse 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 long-awaited sequel is bolstered by a series of fun, practical effects that reflect the tactile nature of the man’s better works. Ridiculous gags 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 atmosphere alive, and frequently remind the audience that this is a fun ride. Leave your seriousness at the door.
Of course, a Beetlejuice sequel would only work with Keaton. The Oscar-nominated actor returns with ease to his “ghost with the mostest” persona. Keaton steps away from the manufactured aura of the many Beetlejuice-inspired assets — the animated series, the Broadway musical, all that merchandise — and organically takes Betelgeuse back to the roots of what made the character so impactful. He’s aged, has some welcome wear and tear, and feels more grounded.
Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton reprise their roles as Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The Afterlife plays a more important role in the sequel, giving us a deeper look into Betelgeuse’s underworld existence. A bit of background lets us see Betelgeuse before his death and introduces us to his soul-sucking wife, Dolores (Monica Bellucci). She wants his love, but Betelgeuse has his eye on Lydia — still –which sets the stage for a strange love triangle.
Bellucci’s addition to the cast represents a handful of memorable new characters this go-round. Justin Theroux’s Rory and Willem Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson add welcome levity to the film. Let’s hope this isn’t the last we see of Dafoe’s actor-turned-Afterlife agent — he’s a real scene-stealer here.
Catherine O’Hara reinjects Delia Deetz with an unhinged, egocentric flair. The dynamic between Delia and Lydia has calmed down over time, leaving Lydia to fight a similar battle with her troubled teenage daughter Astrid.
Jenna Ortega’s performance as Astrid is the glue that holds it all together. She’s the audience’s emotional entry point. As Lydia’s childhood trauma resurfaces and mother and daughter struggle to come to terms with a shared loss, Astrid’s skeptical nature keeps things going.
You’re probably wondering: does Beetlejuice even need a sequel? Honestly, no. You could call it fan service or nostalgia bait. Both are valid criticisms. They’re also complimentary qualities.
The cast’s chemistry, onslaught of visual gags, Tim Burton’s signature world-building, and constant stream of horror humor put Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in the winner’s circle. It’s a welcome dose of campy fun when all is said and done. And sometimes, that’s all we need.
