“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Impresses at Venice Film Festival
The much-anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, has been hailed by critics as a triumphant return to form for director Tim Burton, following its premiere at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. On the evening of August 27th, the film opened the festival to a warm reception, receiving nearly four minutes of applause from the audience.
Pursuant to The Hollywood Reporter, Burton successfully recaptures the eerie atmosphere of the original, with several scenes paying homage to the 1988 classic. The outlet praised Burton for maintaining his creative prowess, humor, and whimsical imagination throughout the film.
BBC commended the sequel for its clever jokes and realistic visual effects. Owen Gleiberman of Variety noted, “It doesn’t deliver the same shock as the original, but I had a pretty great time watching Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Meanwhile, London Evening Standard remarked, “It’s delightful to see Tim Burton return to his spooky roots. Audiences will leave the theater with a smile on their faces.”
The plot picks up 36 years after the events of the first film, with the Deetz family returning to their home in Winter River following the sudden death of Charles Deetz. Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder, finds her world turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid (portrayed by Jenna Ortega), discovers a mysterious model of the town in the attic, unlocking a portal to the Afterlife and unleashing Betelgeuse, also known as Beetlejuice (once again brought to life by Michael Keaton). The star-studded cast also includes Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe.
Before the screening, Burton shared that working on the sequel revitalized his passion for filmmaking after years of navigating the ups and downs of the industry. Industry experts predict that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could achieve an impressive $80 million opening weekend at the U.S. box office when it releases on September 6th.
The original Beetlejuice debuted in 1988, directed by Tim Burton from a script by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren. The film grossed $74.7 million against a $15 million budget and won an Academy Award for Best Makeup, along with three Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film, Best Makeup, and Best Supporting Actress for Sylvia Sidney.
