Warner Bros. Pictures

36 years after the release of Beetlejuice, Tim Burton has released the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. 

On September 6th, 2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hit theaters. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 77% and a box office of 332.9 million dollars, it seems to be a hit. With a smooth plotline and a great cast, it is no shocker that it did well, however, possibly the main reason it did well was the 1980s effects they used in the film.

Watching the movie, the viewer feels like they are transported back into the 80s. With effects that look so bad, in terms of today’s standards, it’s so good. The film brings back all the charm the original had, the giant worm, shrunken heads, and retro makeup. These effects drew many into seeing this film, and it did not disappoint.

Another appeal to the movie is the original cast. Almost everyone who was in the first movie is in the second one. Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz. Lydia was the main character in the first film who ended up summoning Beetlejuice. In the sequel, she still seems distraught after more than 3 decades. Lydia will catch glimpses of Beetlejuice wherever she may be, and it still scares her. This anticipation of what will happen with her and Beetlejuice throughout the movie keeps the reader going.

Lydia has also hit her rise to fame, for she is now a ghost hunter. She goes to houses that are claimed to be haunted and records what she sees. She then does a talk show with the owners of the house telling them what to do. This is all thanks to Beetlejuice and the spirits from the first movie because they opened her eyes to the spirit world.

Micheal Keaton takes his role of Beetlejuice back, and he does it perfectly. Beetlejuice’s attitude and actions are the same as in the first movie; he has the same crude humor and flashy outfits. It is almost like the sequel came out right away and not decades later.

Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia Deetz, the mother of Lydia. She has pursued a passion for strange art forms, which fits her eccentric personality. Her quips and decisions in the film add much comedy.

There are also new additions to the cast. The most popular is Jenna Ortega, who portrays Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s teen daughter. Astrid is around the same age as Lydia in the first film and has the same relationship with her mother that Lydia did with Delia. Astrid can’t stand her mother because of her rise to fame. She feels no connection with Lydia and is sent off to boarding school. The mother-daughter arguments add relatable charm to the movie.

Willem Defoe is a new addition and he plays Wolf Jackson, a famed movie star when he was alive, but now he’s the detective of hell. Monica Bellucci plays Delores, the dead bride of Beetlejuice, and she will not let anyone stop her from getting back together with him. The final addition to the cast is Arthur Conti, who portrays Jeremy Frazier, Astrid’s love interest of the film. As the plot unravels, his role in the film increases.

The plot is entertaining and keeps the viewer watching. The suspense of what will happen with Beetlejuice and his love life, whether he will get married to Delores or the love of his life, adds all the original Beetlejuice charm. Also, the original mystery of Burton’s depiction of hell is back, and it adds so much nostalgia. The winding tunnels, crowded waiting room, and Beetlejuice’s office can easily usher viewers back into the 1980s.

Overall, this movie exceeds expectations. It feels like it was filmed in the 80s with all of its charm. The only disappointment is not seeing Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin reprise their roles from the first movie. Nonetheless, this movie is an enjoyable ride and is highly worth the watch.