Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Back… But Should He Have Stayed Dead?

There are moments in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice that feel like the original.

You catch glimpses of that chaotic charm, the offbeat humor, the spooky fun. But more often than not, it feels like the film is chasing the ghost of what made the 1988 classic special… and never quite catching it.

Michael Keaton returns in fine form. His Beetlejuice is as mischievous and manic as ever… when he’s actually on screen. Unfortunately, he’s severely underused, and that absence is deeply felt. The focus instead shifts to Jenna Ortega as Astrid, Lydia Deetz’s daughter. She handles the role capably, but doesn’t bring much spark. Monica Bellucci, despite being heavily marketed, ends up a complete non factor.

The film juggles four separate storylines.

Lydia and Astrid’s grief fueled tension, Lydia’s father passing, Astrid’s budding romance, and Beetlejuice dodging his ex-wife.

None of them are particularly compelling, and all of them unfold in ways you can see coming a mile away.

Tim Burton’s signature weirdness is on full display, visually speaking, but the humor falls surprisingly flat. Even Danny Elfman’s score… usually a highlight in Burton films… feels forgettable this time around.

There’s a frustrating lack of chaos and undead mischief. The wild energy that made the original a cult classic is dialed way down. No memorable cameos, no standout surprises. Just a lot of “meh.”

Bottom line,

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice isn’t terrible, but it’s not the return fans were hoping for. It's more like a lukewarm séance than a resurrection.