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You would think, with a cast including Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton, and Tim Burton serving as director, that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice would be a guaranteed pop culture phenomenon–a spooky Barbie in popularity. But, surprisingly, it is not. 

With Winona Ryder and Tim Burton reprising their involvement in the newest sequel of Beetlejuice, it is clear this film targeted mainly at those who continue to hold the 1988 film sacred, with Jenna Ortega taking the lead role to engage a younger audience as she tries to solidify her place as a modern scream-queen. This movie had the potential to bring a new love to the Beetlejuice story. Still, after receiving heavily mixed reviews at the Venice Film Festival, it was clear that the power of nostalgia was the main force that would fill seats in theaters this fall.

While it’s been successful in the domestic box office, the international market saw a sharp decline after its opening week. As with many remakes, the plot is a rehash of the original, following nearly identical plot beats throughout the entire movie, only this time without the macabre spirit that made the 1988 film so memorable. Despite the predictability, the actors truly gave their all, and their love for the production was visible through the silver screen. 

While I don’t like remakes and unnecessary sequels, I don’t hate this movie. Sure, it sometimes felt like a watered-down version of the original, but I can’t deny that I caught myself laughing like I did the first time I watched Beetlejuice. Jenna Ortega’s performance was convincing and captivating, and Tim Burton’s distinctive style is as clear as ever – which is a massive plus for me.

Do I think the movie is good? No. Would you like the sequel if you loved the original? 100%. It’s a feel-good Halloween classic–practically refilmed–for a younger audience, just in time for fall. While it may not hold a candle to other notable cult classics, BeetleJuice BeetleJuice is perfect for what it is: a campy, lovable, creepy sequel.