Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice 2 (2024): The Ghost With the Most Returns in Spectral Style

Over three decades since he first cackled his way across the screen, Beetlejuice is back. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic, resurrects the mischievous bio-exorcist for a new generation—while staying true to the ghoulish charm and gothic whimsy that made the original unforgettable. With Tim Burton once again directing and Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role, the film is both a nostalgic throwback and a fresh continuation of a beloved horror-comedy legacy.

The original Beetlejuice followed a recently deceased couple, Barbara and Adam Maitland, who enlisted the help of the chaotic and crude Beetlejuice to scare the new owners out of their home—only to regret summoning him at all. Now, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice picks up decades later, focusing on the next generation of the Deetz family. Winona Ryder returns as Lydia Deetz, the goth teen-turned-adult, now a mother herself. Her daughter, Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, becomes the unwilling catalyst for Beetlejuice’s return when a mysterious event once again opens the door to the Neitherworld.

Set against the backdrop of the quaint yet haunted town of Winter River, the sequel embraces practical effects, stop-motion animation, and handcrafted sets—echoing the original’s visual style, rather than leaning too heavily on CGI. The result is a film that feels like a natural extension of Burton’s twisted cinematic universe. From sandworms to undead bureaucrats, fans can expect plenty of callbacks and Easter eggs to the 1988 classic.

Michael Keaton steps back into Beetlejuice’s striped suit with electric energy. Despite the time gap, his performance is as manic, grotesque, and hilarious as ever, reaffirming why the character became an icon. Beetlejuice remains as unpredictable as he is untrustworthy—a ghost who feeds on chaos, but who’s impossible to look away from.

Jenna Ortega, no stranger to horror and Burton's world (having starred as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday), brings wit and edge to her role as Astrid. The dynamic between Ortega and Keaton drives much of the film’s energy, as Astrid tries to navigate the spirit world and resist Beetlejuice’s manipulations. Catherine O’Hara also returns as Delia Deetz, providing comedic flair and familial tension, while new cast additions such as Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci introduce fresh elements to the Neitherworld's weird and wonderful lore.

At its core, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is about legacy—both familial and creative. It examines the consequences of meddling with the afterlife while exploring themes of grief, generational trauma, and the desire to connect with what lies beyond. But it never gets too heavy; the film knows its strength lies in balancing darkness with humor, grotesquery with warmth.

Burton’s direction, once again supported by composer Danny Elfman, ensures a score and style that are unmistakably his. The film’s tone blends macabre visuals with slapstick absurdity and heartfelt moments, capturing the same eccentric spirit that made the original timeless.

As the title cheekily warns—say his name twice and chaos begins. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice isn’t just a sequel—it’s a lively resurrection. And yes, it’s showtime… again.