Figueroa - Beetlejuice

Unlike other cultures around the world, America has yet to come to terms with the idea of death. In other cultures and religions death is sometimes thought of as another life in itself. America has this idea that death is something to be feared and mourned. The film Bettlejuice takes this idea and turns it upside-down. Rather than death being something to fear, death becomes joke filled with bureaucracy and rules, as seen in the waiting room scenes. This idea is unsettling to Americans, as they have not yet come to terms with the idea of death. A reason for this could be the American mentality towards life, which then affects their mentality towards death. Modern American pop culture has accepted the concept of “YOLO” (You Only Live Once). This idea that there is only one life causes Americans to attempt to live their lives to the fullest, but in doing so they are creating a fear of death. The film centers around the Maitlands, a couple that died in a car accident and are attempting to come to terms with their death. They soon discover that all their problems are not solved in death. Tim Burton, the director of the film, created and disconcerting image of the afterlife. In Burton’s film the afterlife is comical and filled with bureaucracy. The Maitlands struggle with this concept when the Deetzes, a rich city family, move into their home. The Maitlands wish to scare away the Deetzes so that they may have a peaceful afterlife, but this proves more difficult due to the afterlife’s rules. In another comical scene, the Maitlands discover a book called “The Handbook For The Recently Deceased,” which describes the afterlife’s rules and regulations. The book is written in a complicated manner as if it were stereo instructions. The way Burton uses the afterlife in this film may cause Americans to fear death even more. Americans believe that there is only one life, but Burton’s vision that death is simply another life with even more problems has a way of instilling fear in its audience. Although the film is comical and playful, Burton’s dark directing style is clearly seen in not only Beetlejuice but in all his films. Beetlejuice is a very interesting film because it is both comical and unsettling.