The 2024 horror sequel film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is on the verge of almost being a disappointment. Everything in this new film feels old. A backward glance at the 1988 iconic horror comedy. This one, in places, feels outdated. But in a good way.
The story
Following the original story, Lydia Deetz, her mother and daughter; Astrid return to the house where it all began. Soon, Astrid is causing chaos. As is Beetlejuice, who is excited and ready to see Lydia again.
Unfortunately for the fixated demon, his skeleton in the cupboard, his ex-wife Delores is coming to call.
The main and, not so, main cast
Michael Keaton is Beetlejuice.
Winona Ryder is Lydia Deetz.
Catherine O’Hara is Delia Deetz.
Jenna Ortega is Astrid Deetz.
Justin Theroux is Rory.
Willem Dafoe is Wolf Jackson.
Monica Bellucci is Delores.
Arthur Conti is Jeremy.
Santiago Cabrera is Richard.
Burn Gorman is Father Damian.
Cameos Count Too
Danny DeVito is the janitor.
Amy Nuttall is Jane Butterfield.
What works
The throwback feeling to the original Beetlejuice works. A lot of the CGI feels like a nod to the limited technology available in the late ’80’s. The giant worms, and a few other CG things feel limited and, for lack of a better term, old.
This actually works in a film that is banking on its nostalgic attraction to old fans. The character dynamic works well. Ortega is a good fit here. The decision to leave Jeffrey Jones out of the mix, apart from his claymation death, was a good one.
Michael Keaton, Ryder and Ortega are brilliant in this revisit. Keaton is Beetlejuice to the core. Ryder will always be the teen emo Lydia, despite her new life as paranormal investigator.
Danny Elfman’s score is spot on, as usual. *Side note: MacArthur Park as the musical “tie in” works beautifully.*
Bellucci is great as the soul sucking ex who pulls herself together, literally, to come after Beetlejuice.
Willem Dafoe is excellent as the actor who believes he is still a TV detective. But his presence is also jarring.
*Special shout out to The Soul Train.*
What does not work
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is too busy. There is far too much going on. The 1988 original, while a tad cluttered, was a simplistic look at the underworld. The inclusion of two dead a**holes attempting to swap places with a living person in this sequel was that bit over the top.
Bellucci and Dafoe knock it out of the park but their very existence take us away from the Beetlejuice verse. In this sequel, it is too convoluted and overdone. Watching the film feels a little like revisiting a childhood favorite meal and finding it lacking.
This is not to say that director Tim Burton has lost his touch. Far from it. Burton is a personal favorite. Most of the problem could be the “too many cooks” bon mot. There are three writers attached to this one. Everyone, it seems, wanted to get their “Hog in front of the judge.” AKA, get their gag in the film. From a nod to Stephen King; Salem’s Lot. *If you are lost here check the character list from the book. All will become clear.* To the inclusion of an entire flock of “Bobs” the film seems to have lost its way.
The Verdict
I was almost desperate to see this one in the cinema. I had to wait to stream it and I am glad this was the case. As enjoyable as it is, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice loses its way. The film is far too busy and crowded. It earns a solid 3.75 stars out of 5. Perhaps the problem is expectations. To wait so long for a sequel leaves a stale taste in the mouth. Imagination is always so much better than the long awaited part two of any film.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is streaming on Max.
The Trailer
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