I was sitting in Regal Columbia, waiting for my life to change. At least, that’s what happened to me after watching the first “Beetlejuice” at the ripe old age of seven. Like many of us, I wouldn’t be the weirdo I am without the influence of that film. So to say I had high expectations for the sequel would be an understatement. UGGs on, pumpkin spice latte consumed and sweater donned; I was ready for an inauguration to fall, even though the season wasn’t changing for another couple weeks. Spoiler alert: I got my autumn initiation, but my life stayed the same.

In terms of aesthetics, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” certainly delivers. We have Jenna Ortega listening to Mazzy Star, kids in Halloween costumes and Monica Bellucci stapling her legs back together. If you’re looking for a movie to kickstart your spooky season spirit, there’s no better way to begin. 

On top of that, the immersion back into the world I fell in love with so many years ago is immediate. There’s enough references back to the original story to feel a sense of loyalty, but not so many that it feels redundant. Although Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin don’t return (as ghosts don’t age), they are not forgotten. If you look closely, you can see their bodies still lying in the ditch as the camera pans over Winter River! Ortega replaces Winona Ryder’s spot as the moody lead teen seamlessly, and Ryder expands upon her previous portrayal flawlessly.

However, the film is not without deep, marring faults. Problems arise and are solved in quick succession which robs the whole ordeal of a satisfying climax. Ortega’s entire arc is resolved in the blink of an eye when her problem quite literally falls through the floor and disappears. And although it’s important for each character to have their own struggles and motivations, giving everyone their own full storyline throws the movie all over the place. It feels as if there’s 15 different people fighting to be the main character. The sequel is honestly sloppy and branches into a hundred different directions. 

There are about 10 too many new characters to the point that it becomes difficult to keep track, let alone care about them. I won’t lie, if I had the budget for Willem Dafoe, Monica Belluci, Danny DeVito and Jenna Ortega on top of the original star-studded cast, I would probably go for it. But that would be the wrong decision, and that’s the decision “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” made. 

All this is to say, the details of the film are good. The acting is phenomenal, the costumes and makeup are on point and the soundtrack is a vibe. Catherine O’Hara steals every scene she’s in, but Ortega and Ryder gave her a real run for her money. A kiss on the beat drop of “Svefn-g-englar,” arguably the fall song, pushes the score to a whole new level. And don’t worry, “Day-O” is still featured, as this time it’s beautifully transformed into a funeral march. The gore is the exact right level of kitsch, comical in its grandiose grossness.

If I were to look at the project through a magnifying glass, I probably wouldn’t find anything wrong with it. But as soon as I take a step back to look at the big picture, it’s clear that the movie is somewhat of a flailing mess with no clear vision. 

So, should this stop you from seeing it? That all depends on what you’re going for. If you want a Halloween treat, go right ahead! But if you’re looking for a cinematic journey, prepare yourself for a jilted stop-and-start ride. 

Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emma Short and Hannah Taylor | eshort@themaneater.com and htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com