Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!
The sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is packed with subtleties and nods to the original film, providing a deeper insight into the lives of Charles and Delia Deetz. While Betelgeuse serves as the primary antagonist in the original 1988 classic, the Deetz couple also plays a crucial antagonistic role. This sequel reveals how the consequences of their previous actions have significantly impacted their lives, making their reality considerably more challenging.
The film mixes fresh faces with familiar ones, offering fans a chance to reconnect with beloved characters while introducing new ones. Although Charles Deetz appears solely as a ghost, Delia takes center stage as she navigates her husband’s death, reflecting on her grief throughout the storyline. Despite having achieved success in her art career, the sequel cleverly portrays the stark contrast between Delia’s aspirations and the disheartened state of their family’s ambitions.
The Maitland Hardware Store Reference in Beetlejuice 2: An Unfulfilled Vision
Charles’ Dream of an Insect Zoo
In a poignant Easter egg, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice features an homage to the Maitlands through the building that once housed their hardware store, which has now been transformed into a coffee shop. This detail brings closure to a plot point from the original film.
This reference underlines the failure of Charles Deetz to realize his ambitious vision for Winter River. After the revelations of the supernatural in the first movie, Charles had grandiose plans to purchase all of Winter River’s properties and create a ghost-themed tourist attraction. His dream included transforming the Maitland Hardware into an insect zoo, but the absence of any of these enterprises suggests that his aspirations never materialized.
The Absence of Charles’ Friends at His Funeral
The Notable Absentees
The decline of Charles’ grand vision for Winter River reflects a more profound tragedy for the Deetz family in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. During Charles’ funeral, Delia inquires about the attendance of Maxie Dean, significantly emphasizing the absence of Charles’ old friends. This implies a steep decline in social connections for the Deetz family following the events of the original film.
Even key figures like Otho, who once shared a close bond with Delia, are nowhere to be found, portraying a stark reality where friendships have dissolved over time. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice powerfully suggests that both Charles and Delia find themselves in a state of despair and isolation, culminating in a grim ending for their story in the sequel.