Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Keaton and Burton Resurrect Afterlife Magic 36 Years Later – Movie Review

Burton unleashes his creativity in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

As a long-time Tim Burton fan, I was both thrilled and cautiously optimistic when news of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice emerged. Burton has delivered countless iconic films, and though not all of them land with me, there’s no denying his brilliance. With this highly anticipated sequel, we return to the whimsical, spooky world Burton masterfully crafted in 1988. And while this film doesn’t quite reach the perfection of the original, it certainly stands as a worthy successor that delivers all the kooky charm we’ve come to expect.

Michael Keaton is back as Beetlejuice, and wow, does he still own the role after 36 years. He effortlessly slides back into the signature black-and-white stripes of everyone’s favorite trickster demon, proving once again why no one can embody this character like him. His performance is just as wild, unpredictable, and completely magnetic as it was in the first film. Watching Keaton’s Beetlejuice wreak havoc is an absolute joy, and it left me hoping this film will spark a revival of the animated series.

The story centers around the Deetz family reunion—now spanning three generations. Winona Ryder returns as Lydia, a role I’ve always considered one of her best, and Catherine O’Hara is back as the eccentric Delia. New to the family is Jenna Ortega, who commands the screen as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid. Ortega brings the perfect balance of moody teen rebellion and subtle warmth to the role, and you can tell she was handpicked by Burton after their work on Wednesday. The dynamic between the three generations of Deetz women is a core strength of the film and gives the sequel some of its heart.

But let me tell you—Catherine O’Hara steals so many moments in this movie!

It’s surprising how she can still dominate a scene after all these years. Her chemistry with Keaton is just as fantastic, and her comedic timing is still impeccable. Winona Ryder is also in fine form, and it’s crazy to think how much time has passed since the first film. It feels like just yesterday that Lydia Deetz was dancing to “Jump in the Line,” and yet here we are, decades later, with Ryder still able to channel the gothic teen that made her a pop culture icon.

The practical effects of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice were impressive. Burton opted for a return to the practical magic of stop-motion, miniatures, and in-camera effects that made the original film so charming. This creative choice brought a real sense of nostalgia while keeping things visually fresh. However, Willem Dafoe’s character, Wolf Jackson, fell a bit flat for me. His role had some cheesy moments that didn’t land as intended, though his presence still added a fun layer to the Afterlife.

Monica Bellucci’s character, Delores, who was teased as a threatening force in the trailers, didn’t live up to that hype. While she’s an undeniable screen legend, her casting felt more like a result of her personal relationship with Burton than a standout performance.

The film is chaotic, disjointed, and full of random subplots, but somehow, that works. It reflects the madness of Beetlejuice’s world—a world where nothing really makes sense, yet everything is perfectly in place. Burton seems to have had free reign, and you can feel his unfiltered creativity in every scene. It’s also clear that the creative success of Wednesday gave him a much-needed reset.

Verdict

I give Beetlejuice 4 out of 5 stars. For diehard Burton fans like myself, it’s a delightful return to the Afterlife and a much-needed reminder of why we fell in love with his peculiar brand of storytelling in the first place. It also reminded me of how special the original film was, though it didn’t quite reach that level of genius.

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