One of the most frustrating aspects of contemporary movie trailers is the tendency to reveal almost the entire plot, along with the best lines and stunts, within a brief two-minute promo. Fortunately, this is not an issue with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 critical and commercial classic. The trailer, which has been available for a considerable time, effectively serves its purpose as a tantalizing teaser, promising audiences a wealth of delights to come without giving away too much.
The story picks up decades later, with Lydia (Winona Ryder) returning as the Goth teenager who could see dead people and nearly married the irreverent ghost and bio-exorcist Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) back in 1988. Now, Lydia has her own show called “Ghost House,” where she explores haunted houses. Her rebellious daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) is skeptical of her mother’s abilities, particularly since Lydia cannot even see the ghost of her husband, Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who is also Astrid’s father.
Lydia’s personal life is complicated; she is in a relationship with her producer, Rory (Justin Theroux), but still feels the lingering presence of Betelgeuse, including seeing him in the audience during the taping of one of her shows. The plot thickens when Lydia’s father, Charles, passes away, prompting Lydia, her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid to return to their original Ghost House in Winter River. In the afterlife, Betelgeuse faces trouble of his own, being hunted by his malevolent ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who poisoned him during a plague.
As Halloween approaches, Astrid, who is reluctantly staying with her mother, finds solace in Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a young man who spends most of his time reading Dostoevsky in his tree house. The backdrop of the upcoming festivities sets the stage for a flurry of events, including Lydia’s planned wedding to Rory at the witching hour, attended by “select influencers” and potentially a Netflix executive. Meanwhile, Astrid and Jeremy plan to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters, while Delia records eerie screams for her latest grief installation.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has everything that fans of the original and new viewers alike would adore.
. From its distinctive visual design to the energetic performances from its stellar cast, the film leaves no stone unturned in delivering entertainment. Michael Keaton once again shines with a gloriously unhinged performance as Betelgeuse, while Winona Ryder embodies the role of Lydia, the once lost Goth girl now a lost Goth mum. Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as Delia with her comedic flair, providing an additional layer of fun as the quirky installation artist.
The new cast members also bring a vibrancy to the screen, each contributing their unique brand of manic delight. Monica Bellucci’s portrayal of Delores stands out, as does Willem Dafoe’s performance as Wolf Jackson, a B-movie star embodying Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled detective archetype, and Danny DeVito as the ill-fated janitor who runs afoul of Delores.
The film’s visual style is a feast for the eyes, showcasing Burton’s boundless imaginative prowess. The bureaucratic morass that represents the afterlife, or the “Soul Train” to the Great Beyond—an elaborate locomotive embodying the spirit of African American music—are among the visually arresting highlights. The film seamlessly transitions between various visual styles, from classic black-and-white segments illustrating Betelgeuse and Delores’ doomed romance to animated sequences depicting the circumstances of Charles’s untimely demise. These flourishes serve as a mesmerizing embellishment to the psychedelic narrative.
Ultimately, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a sweet, ghostly delight that proves the 36-year wait for the sequel was well worth it. The film is a beautiful blend of nostalgia and fresh, audacious storytelling, ensuring it will leave audiences both old and new thoroughly enchanted.
Currently, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is mesmerizing audiences in theaters, conjuring up laughter, chills, and an unmistakable sense of joy.
