One of the more frustrating aspects of modern movie trailers is how they often reveal nearly the entire plot within their short runtime, showcasing the best moments and key stunts. However, this is not the case with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 critically acclaimed and commercially successful film. The trailer for this sequel has been tantalizingly vague, serving its purpose as a mere teaser that hints at the delightful madness to come.
In the sequel, Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia, the Goth teen who once saw dead people and almost married the mischievously inappropriate ghost and bio-exorcist, Betelgeuse, played by Michael Keaton. Now, Lydia has become the host of a show called “Ghost House,” where she explores haunted houses. Her daughter, Astrid (portrayed by Jenna Ortega), is a rebellious teenager who doubts her mother’s ghost-seeing abilities. Astrid’s skepticism is compounded by the fact that Lydia cannot see the ghost of her own husband, Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who is also Astrid’s father.
Lydia is now in a relationship with her show’s producer, Rory, played by Justin Theroux. Despite this new relationship, Lydia feels the lingering presence of Betelgeuse, even spotting him in the audience during a taping of her show. The narrative takes a poignant turn when Lydia’s father, Charles, passes away, prompting Lydia, her eccentric stepmother Delia (played by Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid to revisit their original home in Winter River, the so-called Ghost House.
In the afterlife, Betelgeuse faces his own troubles, being relentlessly pursued by his wicked ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who had previously poisoned him during a plague era. Meanwhile, Astrid finds solace amidst her discontent when she meets Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a young boy who prefers spending his time in a treehouse engrossed in reading Dostoevsky.
With Halloween approaching in just two days, numerous chaotic events are set to unfold. Lydia is planning a witching hour wedding to Rory, attended by “select influencers” and a potential Netflix executive. Astrid and Jeremy, meanwhile, have simpler plans—handing out candy to trick-or-treaters while Delia records horrifying screams for her grief-inspired art installation.
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The movie is a veritable feast for the senses, filled with eye-catching visuals, witty dialogues, and a spirited cast. Tim Burton’s signature touch is evident in every frame, ensuring an experience that both honors the original film and builds upon its imaginative foundation. Michael Keaton’s performance as Betelgeuse is delightfully wild, embodying the character’s chaotic energy perfectly. Winona Ryder slips seamlessly back into her role, portraying Lydia as a woman who has transitioned from a lost Goth girl to a lost Goth mother with an effortless grace. Catherine O’Hara adds her own brand of whimsical joy to the proceedings as Delia.
The new cast members add fresh energy and manic delight to the film. Monica Bellucci stands out with her portrayal of the malevolent Delores, showcasing her ability to infuse dark comedy with a sinister edge. Willem Dafoe shines as Wolf Jackson, a B-movie actor who brilliantly channels the essence of a hard-boiled detective straight out of Dashiell Hammett’s novels. Danny DeVito also makes a memorable appearance as a janitor who meets a grim fate at the hands of Delores.
Visually, the movie is a testament to Tim Burton’s limitless imagination. The depiction of the afterlife as a bureaucratic maze or the Soul Train to the Great Beyond, envisioned as a locomotive representing the African American music genre, serves as eye-catching treats for the audience. The diverse visual styles, ranging from classic black-and-white to narrate Betelgeuse and Delores’ ill-fated love story, to animated sequences illustrating Charles’s bizarre demise—a combination of plane crash, sea drowning, and shark decapitation—add an extra layer of visual delight.
Ultimately, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” provides a sweet satisfaction that makes the 36-year-long wait for this sequel worthwhile. Its combination of nostalgia, humor, and visually captivating scenes ensures that audiences are in for a spooky, entertaining treat. Currently running in theaters, this sequel is not just a callback to the original but a fresh chapter that promises to enchant both old fans and new viewers alike.
