After 36 years, “Beetlejuice,” the 1988 dark fantasy horror comedy film, reinstates the beloved cult classic with the new 2024 sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
This new story sees the combination of the old and the new, the timeless and the modern, and not to mention the stacked cast of returning and recently added actors.
Returning actors include Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, while the newer cast includes familiar faces such as Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci and Willem Dafoe.
Directed by Tim Burton and produced by Seth Grahame-Smith, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” sees the return of original protagonist Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder, and introduces Lydia’s rebellious daughter, Astrid Deetz, played by scream queen Jenna Ortega, last seen in “X” and “Scream VI.”
The sequel follows the aftermath of “Beetlejuice,” set 36 years later, where Lydia Deetz is now the host of a famous talk show, “Ghost House.”
During a segment, she starts to see visions of Betelgeuse, with Michael Keaton revising the role. After her father’s death, Lydia, Delia and Astrid travel back to Winter River for the funeral, where many supernatural events begin to occur.
This is where Lydia’s daughter Astrid meets a mysterious boy and ensues an adventure through the afterlife leading to a series of events that force Lydia to seek Betelgeuse’s help once again.
The sequel in itself is a representation of a classic movie reinventing its old tricks while still keeping the feel of the original film that had drawn me and many others to it in the first place. Although the pacing and musical scenes of the movie could be a little slow at times and while some of the plotlines may seem unnecessary, like Betelgeuse’s ex-wife, it makes for a fun watch throughout and adds another level to the first Beetlejuice movie’s lore.
The press tour alone has amped up the premiere of the movie. Jenna Ortega has been promoting the film by wearing Beetlejuice-inspired outfits much like Margot Robbie and Zendaya did for their movies, Margot Robbie with “Barbie” and Zendaya with “Dune 2” and “Challengers.” Ortega’s collaboration with stylist and Dior ambassador Enrique Melendez takes classic looks from the film to reinvent them into modern, yet still original, fashion.
At the 81st Venice International Film Festival, she wore a custom floor-length gown made with red tulle. With cut-outs at her waist and a heart-shaped bodice accompanied by red satin Jimmy Choos and jewelry courtesy of Dior, this was Ortega’s nod to the iconic red wedding dress worn by Lydia Deetz.
During the denouement of “Beetlejuice,” Lydia Deetz is seen dressed in a red Victorian gown with a sweeping train and a grandeur ruffled collar, accompanied by red elbow-length gloves and a bridal veil.
Another PR outfit Ortega was spotted wearing was early on in the film’s publicizing; she wore a pinstriped suit in resemblance to Betelgeuse’s black and white suit, also honoring Delia’s pinstriped shirt at the very end of the movie.
A press tour is a brilliant way to advertise a movie and recall its predecessors. Ortega nailed this on the head. She was able to create some stunning looks with her stylist by updating and modernizing some of the fashion looks while still making it easy for everyone to know what movie it was from.
Ortega, paired with the original cast members Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, intrigued fans — old and new.
This trio steers the narrative of strong, independent women in horror media.
Tim Burton himself is what sets this movie’s whole tone. Even Ryder said in a behind-the-scenes interview with the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice for iHollywoodTV, “I think we all knew the only way that it could work was if Tim was directing.”
Burton plays such an integral role in this movie, not only writing the story but also directing the cast as well. This goes to show how “Beetlejuice” is not just a project or money-making gimmick.
While this movie isn’t as fantastic as the first, not being an exact copy of it is part of its wacky charm and a way to get newer generations invested in “Beetlejuice”.
Overall, the relationships are dynamic, the film features amazing sound design by Peter Hylenski, it has an intriguing storyline, and the budget is evidently shown through great effects and advertisement of the movie, making for a great sequel to the original, beloved movie. This movie proves to be a progressive and interesting story that will ensure “Beetlejuice” is commemorated and passed onto future generations. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” released Sept. 6.