The highly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is finally here, bringing back the iconic mischievous ghost and the Deetz family. As a parent, you’re likely wondering if this new installment is suitable for your children, especially considering the original Beetlejuice’s blend of dark humor and spooky visuals. This Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Parents Guide is designed to help you make an informed decision before heading to theaters with your family. Having attended an early screening, and being a fan of the original 1988 film, I can offer insights into what you can expect in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
One of the appealing aspects for fans of the original is how closely the sequel adheres to the spirit of the first movie. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice delves deeper into the backstories of Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice himself, offering a richer understanding of their characters and lives. The film retains the same quirky charm, storyline structure, and even set designs reminiscent of the 1988 classic. Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice is a highlight, as he embodies the rowdy, fun-loving, and utterly obnoxious ghost with as much energy as ever. In this sequel, Beetlejuice plays a more central role, allowing audiences to explore his background and existence in the Netherworld in greater detail. Fans of the original will also appreciate the numerous nods and parallels to the first film, creating a sense of nostalgia and continuity.
However, like its predecessor, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice contains elements that parents should be aware of. The sequel maintains a similar level of mature language, possibly even exceeding the original in its use. Crude humor is prevalent, extending beyond just Beetlejuice to other characters as well. It’s important to note that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice features more gore and frightening elements compared to the first film. Notably, the character of baby Beetlejuice is particularly unsettling, bearing a resemblance to Chucky in makeup, which could be disturbing for younger or more sensitive viewers. While the movie builds an engaging storyline, some viewers might find the ending somewhat anticlimactic.
Despite these considerations, during the screening I attended, children of various ages were present, and there were no overt signs of distress among them. However, every child is different, and sensitivities vary. If your children are particularly sensitive to horror or mature themes, it’s advisable to watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice yourself beforehand to gauge its suitability for your family.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Detailed Parents Guide Breakdown
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice carries a PG-13 rating, given by the Motion Picture Association, indicating that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. The specific reasons for this rating include: violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material, and brief drug use. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes, and it’s worth noting that there are no end-credit scenes.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the content categories to help you assess the movie’s appropriateness for your children:
Sex & Nudity & Innuendos (3/5): The film contains several innuendos and suggestive comments. References to “mating,” “do it,” “horny,” and “carnal pleasure” are present. A nude statue of a woman is briefly shown. A love scene is implied through sounds and shadows, which may be uncomfortable for some viewers. A childbirth scene is also depicted in a bizarre manner, though without explicit visuals. While nothing overtly inappropriate is shown, the suggestive themes are noticeable.
Violence & Gore (3/5): Beetlejuice Beetlejuice features a notable amount of violence and gore. One scene depicts a woman who has been cut into pieces stapling herself back together in a comical yet unsettling way. Souls being extracted from bodies, leaving behind a “pile of skin,” is presented with a slightly cartoonish style. The afterlife sequences showcase individuals in the manner of their deaths, including grotesque imagery such as cats devouring their owner and fish consuming flesh. Two characters are graphically injured: one stabbed in the eye with a kitchen utensil and another with a head nearly severed by a blade. Baby Beetlejuice is portrayed as particularly violent, with sharp teeth and a desire to eat human flesh, reminiscent of Chucky from the Child’s Play franchise. Scenes depicting entrails, described as large, grey worm-like objects, spilling from a body are also present.
Profanity (2/5): The language in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice includes moderate profanity. There is at least one use of “Jesus” as an exclamation. “God,” “OMG,” and “GD” are used more than six times. Variations of “shit” appear over eight times, and “hell” is used more than four times. The word “ass” is used at least once. The word “fuck” is used twice: once spoken prominently as “F’er” and once written on a card, potentially easily missed if not paying close attention.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking (2/5): The movie depicts alcohol consumption on several occasions. Coffee is also prominently featured as a beverage consumed by one of the characters. Brief, non-explicit drug use is alluded to, contributing to the PG-13 rating.
Frightening & Intense Scenes (3/5): The scenes involving baby Beetlejuice are intentionally frightening and could be disturbing due to their grotesque nature, though they are not necessarily intensely suspenseful. While the movie is designed to be spooky, it lacks a consistently “intense” atmosphere. However, several scenes are crafted to be frightening and may be effective for some viewers.
Other Considerations: The character Delores, despite being presented as a scary soul-sucker, may not come across as overly intimidating to all viewers. Willem Dafoe’s character, Wolf Jackson, is noted as entertaining. The film includes some plot twists and turns, and overall, it aims to be an enjoyable cinematic experience.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is described as a progression from classic Tim Burton films, featuring several gory scenes that could be unsettling for some viewers. While there are frightening moments, the movie is likened to a blend of the original Beetlejuice and Chucky, particularly in its humor and the baby Beetlejuice character.
About Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is back in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reuniting the creative vision of Tim Burton with the iconic Michael Keaton. This sequel to the award-winning Beetlejuice sees Keaton reprising his memorable role alongside Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz. New additions to the cast include Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter Astrid, and Willem Dafoe.
The story unfolds as three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River after a family tragedy. Lydia’s life is disrupted when her teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers a model of the town in the attic, inadvertently opening a portal to the Afterlife. With both realms in disarray, it becomes inevitable that Beetlejuice will be summoned back, unleashing his signature brand of chaos.
Directed by Burton, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is based on a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, with a story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith, drawing from characters originally created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson. The film boasts a crew of notable creatives, including cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, production designer Mark Scruton, editor Jay Prychidny, costume designer Colleen Atwood, creature effects supervisor Neal Scanlan, visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, composer Danny Elfman, and hair and makeup designer Christine Blundell.
Warner Bros. Pictures will release Beetlejuice Beetlejuice exclusively in theaters and IMAX in North America on September 6, 2024, with international releases beginning September 4, 2024.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Trailer
To get a visual sense of the movie’s tone and content, you can watch the official trailer:
https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/beetlejuice
Stay updated on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice through their official social media channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeetlejuiceMovie
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Final Thoughts for Parents
Hopefully, this Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Parents Guide provides you with the information needed to decide if the movie is appropriate for your children. Consider their sensitivities to potentially frightening scenes, gore, language, and suggestive themes when making your decision. Enjoy the movie if you choose to see it!
