Casey’s Reviews
Does Beetlejuice (1988) Hold Up?
Just in time for a spooky sequel, I review cult classic “Beetlejuice”
CW: death, suicide, sexual harassment
Despite being a fan of all things creepy, culty, and generally wacko, until this weekend, I had never seen Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988). When I heard there was a sequel out with Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), I knew it was time to watch the original.
I’m going to spoil my review a bit by saying that it does hold up, perhaps even better than you think.
The themes are surprisingly contemporary. Suicide, sexual harassment, and grooming are handled not just well-for-the-eighties but just, well. The film’s message holds strong, the characters are loveable, and the comedy remains funny, without becoming cringe by punching down.
For a movie that at its height revolves around a dead man trying to marry a suicidal fifteen-year-old, that’s a feat.
Wait, WHAT is Beetlejuice about?!
The plot of Beetlejuice is pretty simple:
A young couple consisting of homemaker Barbara (Geena Davis) and her goofball husband Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin), a miniatures enthusiast and owner of the local hardware store…
