BeetleJuice Beetlejuice
★★
Some movies leave a mark on you, while others… fade away like sand through a ghostly hourglass. Sadly, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice falls firmly into the latter category.
This sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 film tries to summon the same chaotic energy and spooky charm of the original, but instead of casting a spell, it feels like a séance gone wrong. The movie hurls every idea at the wall—characters, subplots, gags—desperately hoping something will stick, but almost none of it does. While it doesn’t quite become confusing, it’s hard not to wonder why the filmmakers didn’t simplify the story just a little.
Let’s start with the positives: Tim Burton’s signature aesthetic shines once again. The film is visually delightful, with all the quirky undead creatures and bizarre worlds that make his work so fun to look at. Fans of spooky-but-not-too-scary vibes will enjoy the creepy-crawly charm that oozes from every scene. However, despite the PG-13 rating, the film oddly amps up the blood and gore, which felt unnecessary and out of step with the comedy-horror balance of the original.
Michael Keaton returns as the titular Beetlejuice, bringing his manic energy and devil-may-care charm. But even he feels underutilized, more like a haunted sideshow than the main attraction. Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega, who perfectly embodies the moody Lydia Deetz archetype, is another victim of this movie’s lack of focus. Her character is brimming with potential, but the script doesn’t dig deep enough to make her journey compelling.
Then there’s the strange focus on the father character (now recast and originally played by Robert Jeffrey), who gets so much screen time that you’d think he was the emotional center of the original—spoiler: he wasn’t. The choice to build so much plot around him is baffling and drags the pace down.
Here’s the real kicker: instead of using the first Beetlejuice movie as a foundation to grow and improve, this sequel slavishly copies its structure, complete with the same clunky story beats and tired tropes. The first movie is beloved, yes, but it’s also a hot mess—and this one somehow manages to be even messier.
It’s clear the cast had a blast making this film, and their enthusiasm does shine through in a few moments. But good vibes can only take you so far when the story itself feels like a disjointed patchwork of ideas.
After much anticipation, my family finally sat down to watch Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice at home, only to collectively breathe a sigh of relief that we hadn’t spent money on a theater trip. It’s not without its moments, but they’re few and far between. Ultimately, this sequel is more trick than treat. And just like the film’s titular ghost, let’s hope this series doesn’t come back for a third resurrection. Some things are best left resting in peace.
