Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review : This Tim Burton’s sequel is a graveyard smash

Story: The Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles' death. When Lydia's daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and accidentally opens the afterlife portal with her boyfriend's help, it’s showtime for Beetlejuice.

Review: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is delightfully chaotic and outrageous in many ways, making it a fitting sequel to the 1988 cult classic. While the original film was pure fun, this one works hard to match its energy and largely succeeds with a fresh plot and standout performances. It manages to preserve the quirky spirit of the original and, at around 100 minutes, offers plenty of entertainment, proving the 36-year wait was worth it. This time, the focus shifts to Lydia and her daughter Astrid, and with witty dialogue, it keeps a smile on your face the entire time.

After the death of Lydia's father, Charles, the Deetz family make their way back to Winter River. Now a widow, Lydia (Winona Ryder) has become a minor celebrity as the host of a paranormal TV show. Life has changed dramatically—she now enjoys a cordial relationship with her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara). However, the memories of Beetlejuice’s (Michael Keaton) attempt to forcefully marry her still linger. Life has come full circle for Lydia, and much like her own experience with her stepmother, it’s her turn to navigate a complicated relationship with her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Lydia’s worries escalate when Astrid discovers the model of the town in the attic and accidentally opens the afterlife portal with her boyfriend’s help.

Michael Keaton nails it once again, effortlessly reprising his iconic role with remarkable flair. Like in the first film, he makes a late appearance, but his goofiness and swagger are absolutely captivating. It’s evident that he’s fully in command of the character. Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega deliver strong performances as the mother-daughter duo, but it’s Catherine O’Hara as Delia who truly steals the show. Her self-obsession remains, but she has evolved with age. Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson and Monica Bellucci as Dolores are perfectly cast in their roles.

Tim Burton’s film is skilfully designed to pull both die-hard fans of the original and a new millennial audience. It stands strong enough to be enjoyed as a standalone movie. Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder pick up their roles with the same energy as before, adding depth with new characters like Lydia’s husband, Richard, and Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Dolores. The film features all the classic elements—black-and-white striped suits, stop-motion sandworms, and creepy ghosts. Echoing the iconic Harry Belafonte’s ‘Day-O’ dinner scene from the original, there's a similarly entertaining moment set in a church. This film not only delivers laughs but also proves that even after all these years, Burton’s magic is still enchanting.