Michael Keaton returns to his iconic role as Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetlejuice), the motor-mouthed, decaying trickster demon. Keaton’s portrayal of this grotesque, hilarious antihero remains one of the finest comedic performances in film history. The first Beetlejuice won an Oscar for its makeup effects, but Keaton’s exceptional comedic performance went unrecognized by the Academy—a snub that highlighted a broader disregard for comic acting in awards circles. This sequel gives Keaton the opportunity to once again showcase why his Beetlejuice is a timeless classic.
Joining Keaton is Winona Ryder, reprising her role as Lydia Deetz. Now a mature and slightly eccentric figure, Lydia has transformed from the goth teenager of yesteryear into the host of a reality show focused on haunted houses and their exorcism. Lydia’s character evolution is as engaging as it is humorous. Her daughter, Astrid, is played with great charm by Jenna Ortega, known for her role in Burton’s acclaimed series Wednesday. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable, with Ortega’s Astrid embodying a perfect blend of skepticism and affection toward her mother.
The film also welcomes back Catherine O’Hara as Delia, Lydia’s flamboyant and wicked stepmother. The central narrative revolves around Lydia’s attempts to manage Beetlejuice, who is still seething over the fact that Lydia once left him at the altar. Beetlejuice’s vendetta involves a plot to marry a human, which he believes will amplify his torment of the living.
The plot thickens when the Deetz family gathers in their haunted home in Winter River, Connecticut, to mourn a family death. This setting introduces a new layer of emotional depth to the sequel, a departure from the original’s simpler comedic focus. The interactions among the characters—particularly the clash between Beetlejuice and the Deetz family—are rife with both humor and heartfelt moments.
One of the film’s highlights is its impressive visual humor, including a range of surprise gags that are both dazzling and inventive. The story kicks off in true Beetlejuice fashion when the demon is summoned from the afterlife through the repeated chanting of his name. This act brings Beetlejuice back into the fray, where he has to confront his vengeful ex-wife Delores, portrayed by Monica Bellucci in a standout role. Delores’s attempts to reassemble her dismembered body using a staple gun, set against the backdrop of the Bee Gees’ “Tragedy,” is just one example of the film’s delightfully bizarre humor.
Burton’s distinctive vision is evident throughout, from the hilariously surreal recap of Beetlejuice and Delores’s romance as a badly dubbed Italian film to the fantastical costumes and set designs. Danny Elfman’s score, a bounce-worthy accompaniment to the film’s antics, further enhances the overall experience. Additionally, Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of a ghost detective—who channels his inner B-movie ham—adds another layer of comedic brilliance.
The film’s technical elements are top-notch, with standout contributions from cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, costume designer Colleen Atwood, and an array of guest songs that heighten the film’s comedic impact. A particularly memorable moment involves the cast lip-syncing to Richard Harris’s infamous rendition of “MacArthur Park,” which is sure to leave audiences in stitches.
Despite its many strengths, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is not without its flaws. The film suffers from some overstuffing, with subplots that sometimes feel superfluous. Lydia’s relationship with her disreputable boyfriend, played by Justin Theroux, and Astrid’s dalliance with a Dostoyevsky enthusiast, played by Arthur Conti, add additional layers that can distract from the central narrative. Moreover, it is unfortunate that Keaton’s screen time is limited to just 17 minutes. However, in those minutes, he delivers a performance that is both captivating and enduring.
In conclusion, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice offers a wild and hilarious ride, successfully reviving the eccentric charm of its predecessor while infusing new life into the franchise. The film is a testament to Keaton’s unparalleled comedic talent and Burton’s imaginative storytelling. Even with its minor shortcomings, the sequel proves to be an entertaining and fitting follow-up, ensuring that Beetlejuice’s freak flag continues to fly high. As the man himself would say, “the Juice is loose”—and this film makes sure to honor that in every possible way.
Michael Keaton recalls his favorite ‘Beetlejuice’ scenes ahead of new movie
Michael Keaton resurrects his iconic trickster demon, the Afterlife’s most notorious bio-exorcist, in Tim Burton’s highly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (hitting theaters Friday). This marks the second time in as many years that Keaton has revisited a beloved character from his past, following his return as Batman in last year’s The Flash.
Unlike Batman, however, Beetlejuice is a unique creation born from the collaborative genius of Keaton and Burton. This zany, rotting fiend is notorious for his obsession with marrying the teenage Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder) and creating mayhem for both the living and the dead. Despite his memorable performance as “the ghost with the most” in the 1988 original, Keaton admitted to some trepidation about recapturing that same magic in the sequel.
“I was thrilled at the idea, but I also had moments of doubt,” Keaton confesses. “I thought, ‘Can I really pull this off again?’” To ease his concerns, he revisited the original film. “It’s not how I usually approach things,” he says. “I don’t want to overanalyze comedy or break it down too seriously. I prefer to just dive in and do it.”
Keaton, who has always appreciated the film, was pleasantly surprised by how much he enjoyed it during his rewatch. “I found myself laughing as if I were a fan watching for the first time,” he reveals. “I even laughed at my own performance and thought, ‘Oh, that’s actually really funny.’”
While Keaton finds it challenging to pinpoint a single favorite scene from the original due to its wild and varied antics, he does have fond memories. One standout moment is when Beetlejuice, frustrated by being rejected by the recently deceased couple Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis), kicks over a plastic tree and exclaims, “Nice [expletive] model,” followed by an exaggerated crotch grab. He also cherishes a quirky faux TV commercial where Beetlejuice, dressed in Western attire, ropes a fake cow and sings in a drawl, “Come on down and I’ll chew on a dog!”
This latter scene was a spontaneous creation, inspired by Southern California car salesman Cal Worthington’s infamous commercials. “Cal Worthington used to wear a cowboy hat and say things like, ‘I’d eat a bug!’” Keaton recalls. “I channeled that energy into Beetlejuice’s TV ad.”
Returning to the character in the sequel was a seamless transition for Keaton. Director Tim Burton describes the experience: “On the first day of shooting, it was as if Beetlejuice had truly possessed him. It was both astonishing and almost unsettling how quickly he slipped back into the role.”
Catherine O’Hara, who reprises her role from the original, also marvels at Keaton’s return. “It was incredible to witness him embody Beetlejuice again,” she says. “But honestly, it wasn’t fair—he didn’t seem to age because he was always playing a dead character.”