Warner Bros.
Attention: This article contains significant spoilers for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Proceed with caution!
In 1988, Michael Keaton’s portrayal of “Beetlejuice” left a lasting impression on audiences, despite his brief appearance of less than 20 minutes. Keaton’s performance in the sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” remained equally impactful. His character, Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist and trickster demon, is a cunning, playful, and occasionally frightening figure. His desperate attempts to escape the afterlife and his peculiar personality traits define his character in Tim Burton’s dark, twisted world of ghosts and sandworms from Saturn.
With Tim Burton returning to direct “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” he took the opportunity to elaborate on Betelgeuse’s history. The sequel reveals significant mysteries about the striped-suited madman, who refers to himself as the ghost with the most. A vintage Italian cinema-style flashback, reminiscent of Mario Bava’s 1960 gothic horror film “Black Sunday,” discloses how Betelgeuse died and his original human form.
The Death of Betelgeuse at the Hands of His Wife Delores
Warner Bros.
The flashback to “Black Sunday,” set during the Black Plague, suggests that Betelgeuse lived in the 1630s. He was a grave robber, stealing from the dead during the plague. The flashback reveals his pre-afterlife appearance, minus the pale skin, dark eye sockets, and decaying flesh. His encounter with Delores in the graveyard sparks a passionate romance. However, their honeymoon ends tragically when Delores poisons him with a glass of wine.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Delores was part of a death cult and used Betelgeuse for a human sacrifice. However, the circumstances of Delores’ death remain unknown. This is intriguing, considering her dismembered remains were stored in individual crates in an afterlife office. The unanswered questions about her transformation into a soul sucker add to the mystery.
While Burton reveals substantial information about Betelgeuse’s past, we are still left wondering about his transition into a bio-exorcist and trickster demon. His uniqueness in the afterlife world raises questions about his unusual profession. Perhaps, these questions will be answered in “Beetlejuice 3,” but given the 36-year gap between the first two films, it’s best not to hold your breath.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is now playing in theaters everywhere.
FAQs
Who played Beetlejuice?
Michael Keaton played the character of Beetlejuice.
Who directed Beetlejuice?
Tim Burton directed Beetlejuice.
What is Beetlejuice about?
Beetlejuice is a bio-exorcist and trickster demon who is desperate to escape the afterlife.
Who killed Beetlejuice?
Beetlejuice was killed by his wife Delores.
When was Beetlejuice released?
The original Beetlejuice was released in 1988, and the sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” was released recently.
Is Beetlejuice 3 happening?
There’s no confirmed news about “Beetlejuice 3” yet.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
