The Filmscape Reverie

By: Maria Cieslarczyk

FYI – this article is long overdue, but holy smokes surprise: ya girl made it…just in time for Halloween! Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Can attest this makes for a fun date night 😉

You don’t need me to chant his name 3 times…so get your spooky selves off the shelves: your favorite trickster demon is back!

This time with more quirkiness and whimsy than ever before.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) is a horror-comedy sequel film directed by the legendary visionary Tim Burton. It follows three generations of the Deetz family in the wake of a tragedy as they return home to Winter River. Now a TV “star” exploring supernatural phenomenons, Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder) must unfortunately summon the demon Beetlejuice from her wild past to save her teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega).

It’s a phenomenal cast as Michael Keaton reprises his mischievous role as the striped-suit wearing, naughty-tongued, mayhem-loving Beetlejuice himself. Deceased-actor-turned-afterlife-detective Wolf Jackson (Willem DaFoe) and Beetlejuice’s murderous ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci) also add to the mayhem of colorful characters.

Fans of the franchise (as well as new viewers) will enjoy the hauntingly-fun aesthetic of the film (including monsters galore and creative costume designs). Cutting from scenes exploring the dark, mysterious underworld to the autumnal air of the land of the living, the setting(s) as well as the tech-savvy visual effects bring on even more excitement.

Personally, the inclusion of diverse characters also satisfied the DEI film freak in me always yearning for more on-screen representation in films like these. Jenna Ortega bodies her role as rebellious teen Astrid, who doesn’t believe in her mother’s strange ability to see the dead (among other things). Seeing her interactions with the women in her family, as well as witnessing her own character development was entertaining to say the least.

While the film is not necessarily “scary” for hard-core horror fans like me, I did enjoy the light-heartedness of the plot. Yes, there are more serious topics present throughout, however the story continued its upbeat, dark-humored cadence nevertheless.

Although I don’t believe this one can beat the original Beetlejuice (1988), I appreciate the past references and modern twists to the classic tale. It was nostalgic to see the old characters again, and equally as interesting to see the developments of the different relationships (ex: stereotypical mother-daughter rift that gets resolved, and of course Beetlejuice’s classic ploy in forcing a marriage between him and his dream girl, Lydia).

To be honest, structurally speaking, there is a lot going on in the movie. Multiple plot-lines that could’ve had more ground footing instead ended up twisted together during the climax. Not that I’m complaining…sometimes you need a good “WTF why is everything happening yet I can’t look away” moment or two when watching a blockbuster movie, especially a well-awaited sequel such as this.

My last take? I kind of pity the ever-so-silly-goofy-naughty Beetlejuice. My guy is just down bad for Lydia (I mean, who wouldn’t be, but still…) The sequel (no spoilers) truly shows his desire (and manipulation) in trying to enchant his long-lost crush. So much so that he ends up trying to “help” everyone but doesn’t get the same treatment in return. Granted…he is devious, but I can’t help thinking “Poor Beetlejuice.” Then again, that could just be the Libra in me speaking.

My Honest Rating: 3/5. I’d still recommend fans of the old film to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as it crafts a modern twist of the first tale that the OGs loved. New fans too will find this tale to be of spook-tacular fun!