Oh, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse! A classic phrase that reminds original fans of the man behind the legend, Betelgeuse, who first appeared in the iconic 1988 dark comedy film ‘Beetlejuice.’ 

Over 30 years later, its sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ premiered in theaters on September 6th, thrilling old fans of the classic film and introducing new ones to the world of the recently deceased. 

The film features several actors reprising their original roles, including Michael Keaton as the villain Betelgeuse and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz. The cast also introduces new prominent members, such as Jenna Ortega, who plays Lydia Deetz’s daughter, Astrid. Ortega’s role in the Beetlejuice franchise feels hauntingly fitting, given her acclaimed performance as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series.

Overall, the sequel does a fantastic job of introducing Astrid and seamlessly fitting her role into the Beetlejuice universe, portraying her as a gothic, rebellious teen. The film captures the crazed essence of the original with even more twisted humor, cutscenes, and Easter eggs, such as the iconic sandworm from the first film chasing the Deetz family, along with other gory yet unexpected visuals.

Michael Keaton delivers a fantastic performance, keeping Betelgeuse’s appearance and voice authentic even decades later. He remains classically entertaining, meeting the expectations of longtime fans. The expansion of Delia Deetz’s role as an artist from the original film is also well-executed and appreciated, giving the audience a deeper look into her career as a contemporary artist. 

The main glaring problem in the sequel, however, is the reintroduction of Delores, Betelgeuse’s ex-wife and an evil cult leader. Initially, the audience is led to believe that she will have a prominent role, as her first appearance is marked by a long cutscene, and she appears in several more short scenes. But, by the end, she has no real connection to the plot, making her role feel disappointing given her screen time. 

With 36 years between the two films, the sequel was bound to receive the usual few mixed reactions from classic fans. Regardless, it was overall well-received by audiences and garnered generally positive reviews from critics. Since its release, the sequel has grossed over 330 million dollars worldwide at the box office.