Critics Agree: Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Good? Check Rotten Tomatoes

After decades of waiting, it’s showtime again. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” continues the adventures of Lydia Deetz, portrayed by Winona Ryder, who is now an adult with a paranormal show of her own. She has a fiancé named Rory, played by Justin Theroux, and a daughter named Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Following the passing of her father Charles, Lydia returns to Winter River, Connecticut, where she reunites with her stepmother, Delia Deetz, played by Catherine O’Hara.

Astrid, dissatisfied and rebellious, discovers the model town in the Maitlands’ attic. Venturing into it, she finds herself lost on the other side. To rescue her, Lydia teams up with Beetlejuice, reprised by Michael Keaton, who is avoiding his vengeful, soul-sucking ex-wife Delores, played by Monica Bellucci. Adding to the mix, Willem Dafoe’s character, Wolf Jackson, an afterlife detective, trails them all.

Though it’s still early, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has received positive attention from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Out of 27 critics, 21 have given it a favorable rating. This positive reception could help the film achieve substantial box office success, especially as it approaches the Halloween season. Here’s a look at what critics are saying about “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” 

Many critics are excited about the return of Beetlejuice. Sophie Monks Kaufman from IndieWire praised the film as “A rollicking yet disciplined supernatural caper with a heart,” noting that it remains true to the original film’s goth weirdness while adding more emotional depth. Jo-Ann Titmarsh from the London Evening Standard expressed her delight, stating, “You’ll leave the cinema and return to the world of the living with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.” Nicholas Barber of the BBC even suggested that the sequel surpasses the original in various respects.

Some reviewers view the film as a significant comeback for director Tim Burton after less successful projects like “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and “Dumbo.” While not every positive review was glowing, Michael Keaton’s performance received consistent praise. Owen Gleiberman from Variety acknowledged the film’s imperfections but believed it had “just enough Burton juice,” emphasizing its entertainment value despite potential long-term insubstantiality.

However, not all critics were impressed. Kevin Maher from The Times referred to the film as a “blah retread.” Xan Brooks from The Guardian described it as a nostalgic joyride lacking fresh substance. Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair found the movie lifeless, criticizing its humor, sentiment, and efforts to gross out the audience, deeming it a waste of a talented cast. He noted a lack of effort to maintain the original’s freshness.

Robbie Collin from The Telegraph highlighted what he felt was a messy plot with excessive fan service. He criticized the script for forcibly including beloved elements from the original film, even when they didn’t mesh with the new story. These mixed reviews create an air of uncertainty around the film’s reception.

Whether “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” will be a hit or a miss remains to be seen. Fans will have the opportunity to decide for themselves when the film is released to kick off the fall box office season on September 6.