Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a long-awaited sequel that brings us back to Tim Burton’s wonderfully weird afterlife, but not without a few hiccups along the way. After over three decades, the film successfully captures the chaotic, gothic charm of the original while sometimes leaning too heavily on nostalgia instead of pushing into fresh territory.
Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice is, without a doubt, the movie’s highlight. Keaton slides right back into the sleazy, unpredictable bio-exorcist role with ease. His performance feels like an effortless continuation of the character we loved back in 1988—vulgar, hilarious, and chaotic—but some of that wild magic doesn’t feel quite as fresh this time around. While it’s great to see him back in action, the film leans heavily on his antics to carry much of the humor, making the performance occasionally feel more like a repeat rather than a reinvention.
Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, and she still carries that goth charm, though her role feels a bit more subdued in comparison to the original. The real surprise, however, is Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, who brings a fresh, modern twist to the Deetz family dynamic. Ortega’s deadpan delivery and rebellious energy are a great addition, but her character arc feels a little underdeveloped, leaving you wishing the film gave her more to do.
Visually, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice nails that quirky, Burton-esque aesthetic, full of practical effects and bizarre sets. The handmade, off-kilter look of the afterlife remains a joy to watch. However, much like the performances, the visuals can feel a bit too familiar at times. The sequel sticks closely to the aesthetic of the original without taking many risks, and while it’s fun to revisit this world, there’s a sense that it could’ve pushed its weirdness a bit further.
One of the film’s biggest issues is its reliance on nostalgia. There are plenty of Easter eggs and callbacks that fans of the original will appreciate, but at times, it feels like the film is trying too hard to recapture the magic of the first movie. These moments are fun, but they can also feel a bit forced, like the filmmakers are more focused on pleasing longtime fans than crafting something truly new. The plot also occasionally lacks focus, relying on old gags and familiar jokes rather than building a story that could stand on its own.
Danny Elfman’s score does a great job setting the tone, and it fits perfectly with the dark, whimsical atmosphere. But much like the rest of the movie, the music feels like more of the same, reinforcing the film’s tendency to stay within the boundaries of what worked in the past rather than breaking new ground.
That being said, the movie still delivers in terms of humour and entertainment. Beetlejuice’s antics remain laugh-out-loud funny, and the dark, twisted humour that made the original a cult classic is still very much alive. But there’s also a sense that the jokes and chaos don’t always land with the same impact, sometimes feeling a bit too familiar.
Conclusion
In the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, nostalgic return to a beloved world, but it plays it safer than it should. Fans of the original will enjoy the ride, but the sequel misses the opportunity to truly evolve or take bold new directions. It’s a satisfying revisit, but it doesn’t quite capture the same innovative spark that made the first film such a standout.
