Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, marks a triumphant return to the whimsical and eerie world he first brought to life in 1988. This 2024 fantasy comedy horror film, a sequel to the original Beetlejuice, is penned by the writing team of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on a story they co-wrote with Seth Grahame-Smith.
The film brings back beloved characters, with Michael Keaton (Batman, Birdman), Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Edward Scissorhands), and Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone) all reprising their roles from the first movie. New faces, including Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream), Justin Theroux (The Leftovers, Mulholland Drive), Monica Bellucci (Spectre, The Matrix Reloaded), and Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse, Spider-Man), add fresh energy to this much-anticipated sequel. The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and will be released nationwide imminently.
Years after her first encounter with the mischievous spirit, Lydia Deetz (Ryder) finds herself reluctantly drawn back into the chaotic world of the afterlife. This time, she is forced to join forces with the irreverent demon Betelgeuse (Keaton) once more. The stakes are even higher as Lydia must navigate the bizarre and dangerous realms of the undead to rescue her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who has unwittingly unleashed the ghostly chaos upon their family. Lydia is then forced to team up with Betelgeuse to free her daughter from the Afterlife.
Visually, the film is a testament to Burton’s distinct style, characterised by its gothic whimsy and absurdist comedy. The set design and visual effects are steeped in the surreal, with the Afterlife sequences brimming with imaginative details that are both creepy and comical. Burton’s penchant for blending the macabre with humour is on full display, making every frame a visual feast that fans of his work will undoubtedly appreciate.
The performances are a significant highlight, with Michael Keaton slipping back into his role as Betelgeuse with ease, delivering a performance that is both wildly unpredictable and deeply entertaining. Winona Ryder brings depth to an older, but still familiar, Lydia, while Jenna Ortega stands out as Astrid, capturing the rebellious spirit of her character perfectly.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a highly enjoyable ride, filled with dark humour, clever twists, and plenty of supernatural antics. While it doesn’t take itself too seriously, it remains a satisfying sequel that honours the original while introducing new elements to keep the story fresh.
Fans of the first film are bound to find much to enjoy in this whimsical, if not entirely serious, cinematic experience. It’s all very silly and very convoluted, but ultimately it does exactly what it says on the tin and who can blame Burton for recycling one of his best works to date.
