Lydia’s Dad: What Happens?

Written by August Tales

Directed by Tim Burton, the original Beetlejuice saw success thanks to its family dynamics. Today, that element remains crucial in its sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Firstly, a crucial twist surfaced with the confirmation of Charles Deetz’s death. Played by Jeffrey Jones in the 1988 movie, Charles’ death serves as a catalyst for key plot lines. Jones’ controversial past, laden with legal issues, possibly influenced Burton’s decision on the character’s fate.

Spoiler Alert: Look Away If You Haven’t Caught Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Yet

Time has revolutionized the Deetz family since we last caught up with them. Lydia, superbly portrayed by Winona Ryder, has leveraged her gift for connecting with the ethereal to become a ghost TV show host. Meanwhile, Delia, brilliantly enacted by Catherine O’Hara, has risen to fame as an artist.

The film uncovers Charles’ death in an animation. It reveals that while on a birdwatching trip, Charles’ plane crashes into the ocean. Although he survives the crash, a shark fatally bites him in half. Surprisingly poignant for a film like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

The tale doesn’t end with Charles’ death, though. He finds himself exploring the Netherworld as a fresh specter, his severed body still very much present. Charles’ interactions with the otherworldly entities around him lend the film a unique charm, as we hear his voice emanating from a directionless lower half.

Return to the Iconic Home

Following Charles’ untimely demise, Delia, Lydia, and Lydia’s daughter Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega) revisit the storied house from the original film, marking an intense period of grief. Astrid stumbles upon the model in the attic where Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) dwelled. Consequently, the infamous “Ghost with the most” once again takes over the residence.

Charles’ unusual death sprung from Burton’s personal anxieties related to mortality. As Alfred Gough, the co-writer lets on, “The way Charles dies in that animated piece is Tim’s nightmare of dying. He literally pitched that… ‘I survive a plane crash, nearly drown, and then a shark eats me’… So that’s going to be how he dies.” The director’s hauntingly vivid fear infused a realness into the film’s animated death sequence.

Interestingly, the film credits no actor for Charles or his voice.

Rush to your nearest theater, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is screening now. Share your thoughts on it.