One of the most frustrating aspects of modern-day movie trailers is their tendency to reveal practically the entire storyline, including the best lines and stunts, in a span of just two minutes. However, this is not a problem with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 critical and commercial hit. The trailer for this film, which has been teasing audiences for a significant amount of time, perfectly serves its purpose by offering glimpses of the plentiful goodies to come without giving away too much.
The film brings back Lydia (Winona Ryder), the Goth teen who had the ability to see dead people and almost married the politically incorrect ghost and bio-exorcist, Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton), in 1988. Now, Lydia has moved on to hosting a spooky television show called “Ghost House,” where she explores haunted locations. She has a rebellious daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who is skeptical of her mother’s ability to see ghosts, especially since Lydia can’t see Richard, her deceased husband, and Astrid’s father (Santiago Cabrera).
In the present day, Lydia is in a relationship with her TV show’s producer, Rory (Justin Theroux), but she is strangely haunted by Betelgeuse’s presence, even spotting him in the audience during the taping of one of her episodes. When her father, Charles, tragically passes away, it prompts Lydia, her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid to return to their original Ghost House in Winter River. Meanwhile, in the afterlife, Betelgeuse is on the run from his malevolent ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who once poisoned him during the plague.
Astrid, disgruntled about being stuck with her eccentric mother, finds solace when she meets Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a young boy who spends most of his time in a treehouse engrossed in reading Dostoevsky. With Halloween just two days away, a multitude of events are lined up to unfold, including Lydia’s upcoming marriage to Rory at the witching hour, graced by the presence of “select influencers” and a potential Netflix executive. Astrid and Jeremy plan to spend the evening distributing candies to trick-or-treaters while Delia busies herself recording spine-chilling screams for her grief-installation art project.
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“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is an incredibly enjoyable cinematic experience, thanks to its impressive visual design and the vibrant energy exuded by its spectacular cast. From the original ensemble, Michael Keaton delivers an unhinged and uproarious performance as Betelgeuse, Winona Ryder reprizes her role as the lost Goth girl who has now grown into a similarly lost Goth mum, and Catherine O’Hara is immensely entertaining as the avant-garde artist, Delia.
The new cast members inject a delightful dose of mania and exuberance into the film, with special commendation to Monica Bellucci’s portrayal of the antagonistic Delores and Willem Dafoe’s depiction of Wolf Jackson, a B-movie star who embodies Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled detective archetype. Additionally, Danny DeVito’s role as the janitor who unfortunately becomes Delores’s first victim adds a comic flair to the terrifying narrative.
Visually, the film is a tour de force of limitless creativity. Burton’s depiction of the bureaucratic maze of the afterlife and the Soul Train to the Great Beyond — which resembles a locomotive inspired by the African American music genre — are breathtaking delights for the eyes. Various visual styles enrich the narrative, from classic black-and-white sequences recounting Betelgeuse and Delores’s tragic love story to animated segments illustrating Charles’s unfortunate demise. With Charles surviving both a plane crash and a subsequent oceanic plunge, only to meet his end through a shark-induced decapitation, the film layers further surreal icing onto an already psychedelic cake.
In conclusion, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a sequel filled with sweet delights that make the 36-year-long wait for it absolutely worthwhile. The movie seamlessly combines visual marvels, a gripping storyline, and outstanding performances by both the original and new cast members. This enchanting film is currently running in theatres, poised to entertain and spook audiences worldwide.
