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For 36 years, we’ve been cautioned against uttering his name three times. After decades of misleading and AI-generated teasers and announcements, the moment has arrived for Betelguise to once again shock, disgust, and entertain. With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton delivers a decent sequel to the beloved classic. While the film may be a bit uneven, the stellar cast—including Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Jenna Ortega—brings hysterical and engaging performances.
In a new chapter, a tragedy strikes the Deetz family when patriarch Charles dies in a bizarre accident fitting the Beetlejuice Universe’s quirky style. Lydia (Ryder), Delia (O’Hara), and Lydia’s sullen teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), return to Winter River to honor their deceased family member and settle affairs concerning their home. Matters are further complicated as Lydia, now a renowned ghost mediator akin to a mix between Zak Bagans and The Warrens, keeps hallucinating the eccentric bio-exorcist. This creates additional strain for Astrid, who still mourns her father’s death while resenting her mother for prioritizing ghostly matters over her.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ review
Meanwhile, in the Afterlife, Betelguise (Keaton) has become a faithful servant in one of the Afterlife’s many departments. However, he quickly finds himself on the run from Delores (Monica Bellucci), a mysterious, soul-sucking creature who will stop at nothing to get to the demon. Lydia and Betelguise’s paths cross again, and they must work together to run from Delores and an undead actor-turned-police officer, Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), who died in a film set accident involving a real grenade (a humorous reference in itself).
Burton kicks off Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with three parallel storylines revolving around obsessive love, grief, and paranormal beliefs, which can be a bit disorienting and chaotic. However, if you keep attention, these threads ultimately converge in a spooktacular final act. Before that, Burton delves into Astrid’s background and her thoughts on her mother’s unusual career, as well as showcasing Astrid’s developing feelings for a newly met friend. As Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also explores the girl’s strained relationship with Ryder’s character, it mirrors teenage Lydia’s interactions with Delia in the 1988 OG. Even in the sequel, there’s a moment when Delia humorously calls it “karma.”
It’s fantastic to see Winona Ryder reprise her role as the goth girl we’ve loved since 1988. Writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar showcase how Lydia has evolved into adulthood, reflecting how childhood individuality and quirks sometimes persist into later life. The film emphasizes that we don’t have to abandon what we love as we grow up. Michael Keaton, too, is as wild as ever in his return as Betelguise. His enthusiasm is palpable from the very first scene, whether he’s thrilled to see Lydia again or utterly terrified by Delores’s arrival. Even though the humor may be lighter than in the past, Keaton’s portrayal remains irresistibly entertaining. O’Hara is equally remarkable, bringing fresh sass and even stronger penchant for drama than before.
In the supporting ensemble, Justin Theroux may have delivered a solid performance, but his character of Rory is a frustrating presence, primarily designed to cause trouble and misery for the women around him. We’ve seen this many times before in many films, hence it feels unnecessary. The narrative might have been tighter without Rory’s constant interference. On the other hand, Willem Dafoe hits the mark, and Monica Bellucci’s portrayal of Delores gives off a touch of Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
If you’re seeking nostalgia, you might be disappointed, as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice focuses more on new storylines rather than revisiting the old ones. Burton brings a similar directorial style but incorporates new elements, including claymation sequences. The film bridges generations with its fresh takes and beloved characters, as fans can geek out over the new film, reminding us of Astrid’s enthusiasm for Mario Bava’s Kill Baby Kill.
This long-awaited sequel will resonate with some while leaving others less impressed. Nevertheless, the passion for the 1988 classic and the genre shines through in every scene. The actors give their best despite occasional script shortcomings, and the return to the Afterlife, along with the comeback of the infamous bio-exorcist, remains thoroughly entertaining.
Grade: B
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Michael Keaton , Jenna Ortega , Winona Ryder
