Over the years, Tim Burton has crafted some of the most iconic gothic franchises in film history. From the emo dreaminess of Edward Scissorhands to the campy murkiness of Batman, and the Victorian eeriness of Sleepy Hollow, his films have proven to stand the test of time. They’ve burrowed themselves in the hearts of black-clad goths and fans of the macabre for decades, making it futile to debate which is the most beloved. It CAN be argued that, out of his entire catalog, the film that evokes the most equal mixture of delightful glee and moody morbidity is 1988’s Beetlejuice.
Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as the film’s central ghostly characters, Winona Ryder as the fan-adored morose teen, and Michael Keaton as the titular ghost with the most, Beetlejuice has gained a devoted following since its release thirty-five years ago.
Baldwin and Davis play the newly-deceased, clueless couple Adam and Barbara Maitland, who hasn’t quite grasped the fact that they’re dead, even after the house they’re unable to leave is sold to the Deetz family. Determined to reclaim their home by scaring away the new occupants, they seek the help of Beetlejuice, a crass, lewd, self-proclaimed “bio-exorcist,” to assist them in this endeavor.
Their plan would be fool-proof if it weren’t for the ensuing chaos and havoc Beetlejuice creates and the unlikely friendship and bond the Maitlands form with Lydia. Forced to contend with roadblocks such as botched seances-turned-exorcisms and an uncomfortably inappropriate marriage deal between the underaged Lydia and Beetlejuice, the Maitlands eventually defeat the troublesome spirit and learn to cohabitate in harmony with their living roommates.
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With an overall budget of $15 million, the film was given a mere $1 million by the studio for the infamous eye-popping effects. Combining stop-motion animation, puppetry, and prosthetics, it’s impressive to consider what the crew accomplished with a relatively small budget. Some of those effects, such as the sandworm Barbara rides to defeat Beetlejuice, the ghoulish masks the Maitlands adorn to scare away the Deetz family, and the shrunken head bestowed upon Beetlejuice at the end of the film, have become popular fixtures of prop decor during Halloween.
Over the past thirty-five years, the film has cultivated a following that regards it with beloved reverence, hailing it as a love letter to those who are, as Lydia calls herself, “strange and unusual.” Despite what on paper would seem like heavy subject matter, the movie has an encompassing charm that makes for an enchanting and indelible watch. The sweet relationship between the Maitlands and Lydia contrasted with Beetlejuice’s crude and detestable behavior, making for moments of comedic gold.
With so much of the story renowned for these notions, it makes it that much more of a surprise that the initial script was originally much darker in content. Screenwriter Michael McDowell intended to tell a much gloomier story, with many of the most popular, fan-loved scenes drastically altered.
For instance, the car accident that resulted in the Maitlands’ death was at first more austere in the severity of their injuries. The famous dinner scene, which features Adam and Barbara forcing the Deetzes to dance to “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” was written with more ominous undertones, showing them being entangled and attacked by vines conjured up by the Maitlands.
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It feels sacrilegious for that scene in particular, with its genuine campiness and surprising joy, to be thought of any other way, especially one so torturous and disquieting. Part of the charm of Beetlejuice is these scenes, where the mixture of music, cast performance, and sheer absurdity of the situation the characters find themselves in, creates an amalgamation of merriment and morbidity. It’s those moments that make fans smile with giddy veneration, giving the film a sense of timelessness and rewatchability.
Winona Ryder’s portrayal of the sullen, woebegone teenaged Lydia Deetz has specifically spoken to anyone who considered themselves a misfit or nonconformist. She’s become an unofficial mascot for anyone who has ever, like her, seen themselves as strange and unusual.
Keaton’s Beetlejuice is somewhat of a paradox – you want to hate him for his boorishness, but you also can’t help but love him for his ludicrousness. He’s probably not the demonic figure you’d ever want in your life, but despite his underlying intentions, his actions are somehow excusable thanks to his impish demeanor.
Though there have been offshoots that have attempted to make Beetlejuice into a franchise, including video games, an animated series, and even a Broadway musical, talks of an official sequel have never fully come to fruition. To date, plans on part two have all fallen by the wayside for various reasons, but the most recent rumor involves the inclusion of Jenna Ortega, with Keaton and Rider reprising their original roles. Whether that actually ends up being developed or merely stays as conjecture remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the adoration felt for the character of Beetlejuice by fans young and old is certain to stand the test of time.
Just be sure not to say his name three times unless you want to be plagued by a brutish, vulgar undead miscreant.
