Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), also known as Beetlejuice 3: The Ghost with the Most Returns!, marks Tim Burton’s return to the macabre world he first conjured in 1988. Set 36 years after the original, the film reunites audiences with Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), now a paranormal talk show host, and her estranged daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Following the death of Lydia’s father, Charles, the Deetz family returns to Winter River, Connecticut, for his funeral. Amidst the mourning, Astrid discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and inadvertently opens a portal to the Afterlife, unleashing chaos once more.

Michael Keaton reprises his role as the mischievous Betelgeuse, who seizes the opportunity to return to the mortal realm. Meanwhile, Lydia’s fiancé, Rory, reveals ulterior motives, and Astrid forms a bond with a local boy, Jeremy Frazier. The narrative introduces new characters, including Willem Dafoe as afterlife detective Wolf Jackson and Monica Bellucci as Betelgeuse’s vengeful ex-wife, Delores LaFerve.

Visually, the film is a testament to Burton’s signature gothic style, blending practical effects with modern CGI to create a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere.  However, critics have noted that the film’s plot is overstuffed, with multiple subplots and characters that sometimes detract from the central narrative.  Despite these critiques, Keaton’s performance has been praised for recapturing the chaotic energy of the original.

While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice offers a nostalgic return to a beloved universe, it attempts to balance fan service with new storylines, resulting in a film that, while visually captivating, may feel overwhelming to some viewers.