Revealing mistake: Adam and Barbara aren't supposed to have reflections, but when they enter the recreation of their home (just before they meet Juno), their reflections are shown perfectly in the glass display case that holds Delia's sculptures, behind them. (00:32:55)
Beetlejuice (1988)
Plot summary
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones, Geena Davis, Annie McEnroe
Adam and Barbara are enjoying a quiet day in their idyllic town of Winter River, Connecticut. However, while attempting to avoid a dog on a bridge, their car crashes and they find themselves back in their house, seemingly unharmed. It quickly becomes clear that they have died and are now stuck in their own home.
As Adam and Barbara try to figure out the afterlife, they notice a book called The Handbook for the Recently Deceased and learn that they can't leave their house or be seen by the living. They also discover a model of their town in the attic, which features a miniature version of the house they are haunting. Barbara decides to attempt to scare away the Deetzes, the new owners of their home.
Meanwhile, the Deetzes move in with Charles, a real estate developer, his second wife Delia, and Delia's strange goth daughter, Lydia. Lydia, who can sense the presence of ghosts, becomes fascinated with the Maitland house. While exploring, she encounters and befriends Adam and Barbara, though she initially believes them to be in costume for a costume party.
Desperate to get rid of the Deetzes, Adam and Barbara come across Beetlejuice, a "bio-exorcist" ghost with a reputation for rudeness and chaos. In exchange for getting rid of the living inhabitants, Beetlejuice insists they release him from the model town. However, Adam and Barbara realise that Beetlejuice is far too dangerous and refuse his help.
Frustrated with their inability to drive the Deetzes away, Adam and Barbara attend their daughter's school dance, disguised as guests from the Netherworld. Beetlejuice, having grown increasingly impatient, takes advantage of their absence and lures Lydia into summoning him. Despite the Maitlands' warnings, Lydia says "Beetlejuice" three times, triggering his entrance.
Beetlejuice begins causing chaos, conjuring up monsters and trying to marry Lydia against her will. Adam and Barbara, having realised their mistake, return to stop him. In a dramatic climax, they manage to save Lydia while tricking Beetlejuice into saying his own name three times, banishing him to the underworld.
With Beetlejuice defeated, Adam and Barbara decide to help the Deetzes appreciate the beauty of their house. They reveal their true ghostly forms, scaring the Deetzes into agreeing to leave. Lydia, however, pleads with her father to let her stay and befriends the Maitlands, ultimately convincing her father to embrace the supernatural. The Maitlands and Deetzes coexist harmoniously, with Charles planning to turn the house into a haunted attraction.
In the end, Adam and Barbara ascend to the afterlife, having helped Lydia and realizing that they are at peace. The film concludes with the Maitlands happy and content, while Lydia, despite the loss of her ghost friends, remembers them fondly and embraces her new life with her unconventional family.
Beryl: Paranormal? Is that what they're calling your kind these days?
Otho: Don't mind her. She's still upset because somebody dropped a house on her sister.
Question: When Adam asks Beetlejuice if he can be scary, Beetlejuice shows him and Barbara a face that scares them. Has it ever been known what the face was?
Answer: Yes, it was a face full of writhing snakes, as can be seen from behind.
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Answer: No; it was left strictly to the imagination of the audience.
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