Over 35 years since the original Beetlejuice hit theaters and became a cornerstone of the gothic, absurdist, and charmingly dark world of Tim Burton, the green-haired, pinstriped ghost with a mouth like a sailor has returned for another round of mayhem. That’s right, we’re talking about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), a sequel that nobody expected but secretly wished for – or maybe, desperately hoped against. Does it succeed in evoking that same quirky, graveyard-chic energy that made the original a cult favorite? Or is it a hollow echo, as lifeless as, well, a ghost? Spoiler alert: it’s a little bit of both, but it’s still a fun ride.
The Plot: A Ghostly Deja Vu with a Modern Twist
Much like saying his name three times, the plot is a reincarnation of the first Beetlejuice movie, but with enough twists to keep it from being a complete resurrection of the 1988 film. The premise kicks off when a new, unsuspecting family moves into the Deetzes’ old home. This time, we have an overworked single mother, played by none other than Amy Adams, who, despite her charisma, appears slightly baffled by how she ended up in a Tim Burton movie. And her teenage daughter, the goth and deadpan Emily (portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, in a role that feels almost too tailored for her), stumbles upon the house’s ghostly past.
Of course, it doesn’t take long for Emily to find the ancient book of spells and accidentally summon the chaotic, anarchic, and delightfully inappropriate ghost with the most – Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), who has apparently been waiting three decades in the afterlife for someone to give him another gig. And that’s where the fun begins – or chaos, depending on your tolerance for Keaton’s spastic energy and the movie’s heavy-handed slapstick.
The Cast: A Blend of Old and New
Michael Keaton is back, and if anyone had any doubts about whether he could slip back into Beetlejuice’s mold, they can rest easy – or restless, given his character’s preference for causing trouble. Keaton brings that same manic, unpredictable energy that made the original Beetlejuice so iconic. If anything, his portrayal feels even more unhinged now, like Beetlejuice has spent the last 30 years festering in the afterlife, growing crankier and more desperate for attention.
Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, now a world-weary mother herself, offering a nostalgic, albeit underutilized, presence in the film. Lydia’s teenage angst has evolved into a dry, acerbic wit, which Ryder handles with ease. While she doesn’t have as much screen time as fans might have hoped, her scenes with Keaton provide some of the best, snarkiest exchanges in the movie. Watching Lydia roll her eyes at Beetlejuice’s antics like an exasperated older sister is a delightful throwback.
On the other hand, the new cast feels like a mixed bag. Millie Bobby Brown does her best to channel the spirit of Lydia Deetz’s goth rebellion, but her performance comes off as a bit too rehearsed and overly self-aware, as though she knows she’s playing a role in a beloved franchise. Amy Adams, meanwhile, plays the beleaguered mother with her usual charm, though she spends most of her screen time reacting to CGI ghosts and phantoms with a bewildered expression, clearly not as in on the joke as everyone else.
The supporting cast includes an array of cartoonish characters that feel like they walked straight out of a Scooby-Doo episode – quirky but ultimately forgettable. Except for Johnny Depp (because of course he’s in it), who shows up in a cameo so bizarre and fleeting, it feels like it was shoehorned in purely for meme potential. Burton fans will no doubt lap it up, but it doesn’t add much substance to the already whimsical (and slightly overstuffed) plot.
The Visuals: A Love Letter to Burton’s Brand of Weird
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) is undeniably Tim Burton, with his signature blend of gothic whimsy and grotesque humor dripping from every frame. The visual style of the movie is like a gothic pop-up book come to life, with Burton’s characteristic mix of macabre and vibrant surrealism. The sets, from the decaying, haunted mansion to the neon-lit underworld, are dripping with detail, and the costume design is wonderfully over-the-top.
However, where the original had a charmingly practical look, the sequel leans heavily on CGI, which at times, robs the movie of that tangible, handcrafted quality. Sure, the sandworms are bigger and the ghostly hijinks more elaborate, but sometimes less is more. The movie often feels like it’s trying to cram too much visual oddity into each scene, like Burton and his VFX team were given free rein to out-weird each other. But, to be fair, that’s probably what some fans came to see.
One of the standout visual elements is the trip back to the Netherworld’s bureaucratic afterlife, where Burton’s flair for dark humor is on full display. There’s something morbidly hilarious about a waiting room filled with decomposing corpses still waiting to be called, and those practical effects moments hark back to the charm of the original. It’s just a shame they didn’t embrace more of that old-school approach.
The Humor: Hit or Miss (But Mostly Hits)
If you loved Beetlejuice’s particular brand of crude, fourth-wall-breaking humor in the original, you’ll be pleased to know that the sequel doubles down on it. Whether that’s a good thing or a sign of creative stagnation depends on your tolerance for Beetlejuice’s particular shtick. Michael Keaton spouts off an endless barrage of quips, innuendos, and non-sequiturs with manic glee, but after a while, the act starts to feel like a stand-up routine that’s gone on just a bit too long.
The humor is often very self-referential, with nods to the original movie that will make die-hard fans chuckle. Beetlejuice’s antics are at their best when he’s breaking the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly, or riffing on the absurdity of the afterlife. However, some of the jokes land with a thud, especially when they lean into pop culture references that feel dated, or worse, unnecessary. Did we really need Beetlejuice making a TikTok joke? Probably not.
The Verdict: A Nostalgic Trip Worth Taking (With Caution)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) is, at its core, a nostalgia-driven sequel that banks heavily on the charm and success of the original. And while it’s a fun, visually zany, and often hilarious ride, it lacks the tight narrative and originality that made its predecessor such a classic. It’s a movie designed for fans who’ve been clamoring for more Beetlejuice shenanigans – and in that regard, it delivers. But for those unfamiliar with the original or hoping for something more evolved, it may feel like a garish spectacle that’s trying a bit too hard.
Tim Burton fans will likely appreciate the director’s unmistakable fingerprint all over the film, and Michael Keaton’s frenetic energy is enough to carry the movie through its weaker moments. But in the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a spirited revival that’s both a little bit dead and alive at the same time. If you’re a fan of the original, it’s worth saying the name three times. Just don’t expect it to raise the dead.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
FAQs
- Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) a direct sequel to the original? Yes, it is a direct sequel that brings back several characters from the original film.
- Who plays Beetlejuice in the new movie? Michael Keaton reprises his iconic role as Beetlejuice.
- Is Tim Burton the director of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice? Yes, Tim Burton returned to direct this much-anticipated sequel.
- Is Winona Ryder in the sequel? Yes, Winona Ryder returns as Lydia Deetz, now a mother herself.
- How does the sequel compare to the original? While it retains much of the original’s charm, some might find the sequel lacks the tightness and inventiveness of its predecessor.
- Should I watch the original Beetlejuice before the sequel? It’s recommended to watch the original to fully appreciate the callbacks and humor in the sequel.
