What to expect from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Someone must have said his name three times because everyone’s favourite bio-exorcist is returning to the big screen in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice.
It’s been 36 years since Tim Burton’s second movie Beetlejuice first hit cinemas, with stand-up comedian-turned-actor Michael Keaton stealing scenes as the film’s titular ghost with the most.
In the intervening years, Keaton’s showstopping and highly-quotable performance has become one of his most beloved and well-remembered, which is saying a lot for the same guy who went on to deliver a truly iconic Batman.
A sequel to Burton’s movie — which also starred Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and a hauntingly-memorable use of Harry Belafonte’s earworm track Day-O — has been long-rumoured ever since, with many potential ideas kicking around with various writers attached.
However, it’s now official: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has been conjured into the realm of the living. Here’s what we know about it so far.
How can I watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is out now in UK cinemas and IMAX, following its release on Friday, 6 September.
It isn’t available to watch online yet, but the original 1988 film is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV and Sky Store.
Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice worth watching?
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is finally here — and according to critics, it couldn’t have arrived soon enough. Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August, early reviews began haunting the internet with many critics quick to label it as one of Burton’s best movies in years.
Deadline’s write-up called it a “blast” and a movie with a “proper plot, full of twists and turns” and “terrific cameo characters supporting the impeccable main cast.”
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter said that fans of Burton’s first film will be left pleased, calling it “a clever sequel laced with hilarious callbacks to the 1988 original,” with Variety adding that it’s a movie that’s full of “ghostly fan service.”
However, other critics weren’t as easily charmed. The Independent suggested the film’s acting “sometimes leaves much to be desired,” while The Guardian’s paltry two-star review refused to pull its punches, calling Beetlejuice Beetlejuice “once, twice, three times a lazily amiable horror sequel.”
Read full reviews by clicking the links below:
Deadline: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Receives 4-Minute-Plus Ovation At Venice Film Festival World Premiere (5-min read)
The Hollywood Reporter: Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton Help Tim Burton Rediscover the Ghoulish Mischief of His Glory Days (8-min read)
Variety: Tim Burton’s Lightweight Sequel Works as Ghostly Fan Service (6-min read)
The Independent: This belated sequel has its moments, but it’s incoherent overall (3-min read)
The Guardian: Tim Burton sequel takes retro joyride through old haunts (3-min read)
Is there a trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
The full trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice materialised in May, setting the tone perfectly for a return to his dark and bizarre world.
Much like the first Beetlejuice movie, Beetlejuice isn’t actually in this new trailer all that much. Instead, we get to catch up with Ryder’s Lydia and her new daughter Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. She’s the one responsible for unleashing the pin-striped bio-exorcist from the other side.
Watch the trailer below:
A second full trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice popped up in July and showcased the wild world of the undead, with the Ghost With The Most taking centre stage.
We also got a better look at Ortega's character Astrid, daughter of Lydia and a high school outcast.
Watch the trailer below:
Who is in the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast?
Beetlejuice himself, Michael Keaton, returns to the franchise as ghost with the most — and considering previous statements praising his partnership with Burton, it’s good too that the original director is also back.
Winona Ryder reprises her role as as Lydia, while O’Hara returns as her artist mother Delia. Jenna Ortega, the star of Burton’s Netflix project Wednesday, plays Lydia’s daughter, Astrid.
American Psycho actor Justin Theroux plays Lydia’s fiancée Rory. Spectre star Monica Bellucci portrays Beetlejuice’s ex-wife Delores, while Willem Dafoe plays afterlife cop Wolf Jackson.
Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis do not reprise their roles from the original Beetlejuice. Explaining why the pair are absent, Burton said he “was focusing on something else” for the sequel and “didn’t want to just tick any boxes”.
The script was penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creative minds behind Wednesday.
What happens in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
The synopsis for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reads: “After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened.
“With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.”
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, Burton shared his excitement about the sequel and reassured fans that it was not a cash-grab.
“Over the past few years, I got a little bit disillusioned with the movie industry. I sort of lost myself,” he said. “I realised the only way to be a success is that I have to love doing it. For this one, I just enjoyed and loved making it.
“I was not out to do a big sequel for money. I wanted to make this for very personal reasons.”
What happens in the original Beetlejuice?
The 1988 original followed Adam (Baldwin) and Barbara (Davis), a young couple who move into a new house and proceed to quickly kick the bucket.
As if coming to terms with being dead wasn't bad enough, the duo are further distraught when they discover a new family has moved into their recently-purchased family home.
In order to help usher Delia (O’Hara), Charles (Jeffrey Jones) and Lydia (Ryder) out, Adam and Barbara call upon the help of infamous bio-exorcist and undead nuisance Beetlejuice — but their scheme doesn’t exactly go to plan.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is out in UK cinemas now
