36 years after the events of Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) returns to Winter River following the death of her father, Charles. Her life is thrown into chaos when a series of supernatural occurrences leads to the return of Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton). As Lydia struggles to reconnect with her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), the boundaries between the living and the dead blur once again. Meanwhile, Betelgeuse must face his vengeful ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who once poisoned him. With the afterlife unraveling and old tensions resurfacing, the Deetz family must navigate a whirlwind of wacky and eerie events set off by Betelgeuse's return.

Visually, the film is a gothic delight. Haris Zambarloukos' cinematography bathes scenes in rich blues, purples, and greens, creating a haunting and fantastical world that feels true to Tim Burton's aesthetic. Danny Elfman's score adds a spooky layer that heightens the movie’s abnormal atmosphere. The practical effects, which Burton chose to highlight over heavy CGI, are a refreshing nod to the original film's charm, and you can definitely see the investment Warner Bros. Pictures poured into making this visually spectacular. The attention to detail makes the world of Beetlejuice feel tangible and immersive.

The film boasts a star-studded cast, with Michael Keaton leading the charge as Betelgeuse. He delivers a charismatic, chaotic performance that stays true to the character, while Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Monica Bellucci all shine in their respective roles.

However, despite its technical strengths and impressive cast, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice struggles with an overstuffed plot. Subplots like the tension between Lydia and Astrid, a love interest for Astrid, and an underdeveloped conflict with Betelgeuse’s ex-wife (Monica Bellucci) all fight for attention, resulting in a story that feels rushed and disjointed, lacking emotional depth. The 105-minute runtime leaves little room to flesh out these storylines, making the film feel unfocused.

While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will appeal to fans of Tim Burton’s signature style and the original film, its scattered narrative and predictable moments undercut the film’s potential.