One of the perennial grievances of modern cinema trailers is their tendency to divulge almost the entire storyline, complete with the wittiest lines and jaw-dropping stunts, within the fleeting span of two minutes. However, this gripe finds no grounds in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 critically and commercially adored film. Serving its purpose splendidly, the long-running trailer for this sequel manages to tantalize without giving away all the tricks up its sleeve.
Returning to the limelight is Lydia (Winona Ryder), the Goth teen from the original film, who had the uncanny ability to see dead people and almost married the irreverent ghost and “bio-exorcist,” Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton). Fast forward to the present, Lydia is now the star of “Ghost House,” a show that explores haunted abodes. Her rebellious daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), is skeptical about her mother’s spooky sightings, especially since Lydia fails to see the ghost of her own husband, Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who is also Astrid’s father.
Delving further into her personal life, Lydia is in a romantic relationship with her show’s producer, Rory (Justin Theroux). Despite moving forward, she still senses Betelgeuse’s eerie presence, spotting him even in the audience during one of her tapings. The plot takes a poignant turn when Lydia’s father, Charles, passes away, prompting the Deetz women—Lydia, her eccentric stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid—to revisit the original Ghost House located in Winter River. Meanwhile, in the spirit realm, Betelgeuse finds himself hunted by his sinister ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who once poisoned him during the plague.
In a tale teeming with twists, Astrid, disgruntled about returning to her mother’s ghostly ordeal, finds solace when she meets Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a boy who retreats into his treehouse to read Dostoevsky. As Halloween approaches, a cascade of events is set to unfold, including Lydia’s planned midnight marriage to Rory, witnessed by a curious assembly of “select influencers” and possibly a Netflix executive.
. Astrid and Jeremy, on the other hand, plan to enjoy the evening distributing candy to trick-or-treaters, while Delia records a cacophony of screams for her art installation inspired by grief.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is a veritable visual feast, bursting with delightful elements from its design to the high-energy performances of its stellar cast. Michael Keaton reprises his role as Betelgeuse with unhinged brilliance, while Winona Ryder flawlessly embodies the Goth girl who has evolved into a Goth mom. Catherine O’Hara, returning as the quirky installation artist Delia, delivers a performance loaded with humorous flair.
The new additions to the cast add a burst of manic excitement, notable performances being Monica Bellucci as the malevolent Delores, and Willem Dafoe as B-movie star Wolf Jackson, who embodies the essence of Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled detective. Danny DeVito appears as the janitor who tragically becomes Delores’ first victim.
The film’s visual style is a reflection of boundless imagination, offering a tantalizing array of scenes, from the bureaucratic chaos of the afterlife to the Soul Train’s journey to the hereafter, all drenched in aesthetic splendor. Layers of cinematic techniques—from the classic black-and-white sequences recounting Betelgeuse and Delores’ ill-fated romance to the animated portrayal of Charles’ bizarre demise by shark attack—add rich texture to this cinematic offering. The film’s psychedelic visuals and nostalgic callbacks make the lengthy 36-year wait for the sequel more than worthwhile.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is currently playing in theatres, inviting audiences into a whirlwind of comedic horror and imaginative storytelling, a testament to Tim Burton’s unique vision in blending delight with fright. This sequel looks set to captivate a new generation while satisfying fans of the original with its inventive charm and irrepressible energy.
