This article contains spoilers for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
With his sequelBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,director Tim Burton brings backoriginalBeetlejuicecharactersand introduces some new faces to the franchise – including modern horror icon, Jenna Ortega. Ortega’s role is exciting thanks to her growing reputation in the genre and proven star power. However, beyond her impact on theBeetlejuicesequel’s story, Ortega’s involvement creates a startling parallel with 90s horror legend Christina Ricci thanks to one particular scene. Given how Ortega’s career has mirrored Ricci’s in other ways, the connection is particularly intriguing.
While Ortega has featured in genre hits like Tai West’sXand the revitalizedScreamseries, perhaps her most recognizable role came in Burton’sAddams Familyreboot,Wednesday.In the Netflix series, Ortega features as Wednesday Addams– the titular morose heroine. Since the role was made famous by Ricci’s portrayal in the 90s, it’s clear there is already a burgeoning connection between the two performers. However, thanks to one ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s many Easter eggs, Ortega and Ricci now have an additional link, as one Ortega scene directly echoes a Ricci moment from the 90s horror comedy,Casper.
Jenna Ortega’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Role Puts A Dark Twist On An Iconic Casper Scene
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Ghostly Twist Is The Opposite To Casper’s Kiss Scene
Beetlejuice BeetlejuicereferencesCasper’s kiss scene when Astrid kisses her love interest, Jeremy. Both scenes involve a levitating kiss – already an unusual twist on a classic romantic trope – meaning that Ortega’s character directly echoes one of Ricci’s most famous on-screen moments. Astrid’s kiss with Jeremy appears romantic at first, putting Ortega into Ricci’s shoes once more and recalling the 1995 horror comedy’s touching finale. However, unlike Casper, Jeremy is not the “friendly ghost” that he seems to be, putting a dark twist on the original scene.
While the scenes look very similar, in context, Ortega’s kiss scene inBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis almost the exact opposite to Ricci’s inCasper.Casper had a limited time to enjoy being alive again, after giving up his one chance at resurrection to Kat’s father, whileJeremy intends to trade places with Astrid, bringing himself back to lifeand condemning her to the afterlife. Casper’s reveal is a welcome surprise to Kat, while Jeremy’s reveal shows he has been lying to Astrid since their first meeting, thoughBeetlejuice Beetlejuicedrops ghostly hintsabout his identity.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Further Proves Jenna Ortega Is A 2020s Horror Icon (Like Ricci In The 1990s)
Ricci Returned To Her Roots By Appearing In Wednesday
Ortega was already interested in horror moviesfrom a comparatively young age, tellingVanity FairthatChild’s Play’s murderous doll Chucky scared her, but she forced herself to rewatch the movie, saying “I was interested in something that scared me.” Ortega appeared inInsidious: Chapter 2, and got mainstream acclaim for her roles as Tara in theScreamfranchise and Lorraine inX,but it was her portrayal of Wednesday Addams that made Ortega stand out.Playing Astrid Deetz inBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis another feather in her cap, bringing her on a par with previous horror stars like Ricci.
…Ricci branched out from horror, returning for dramatic projects with horror elements, like the cannibal thriller seriesYellowjackets.
In the 1990s,Ricci’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams made her an instant horror icon, and she continued her streak with family-friendly horror movies likeCasperandThe Addams Family Values.She bridged the gap between campy horror and more intense drama withSleepy Hollow,after whichRicci branched out from horror, returning for dramatic projects with horror elements, like the cannibal thriller seriesYellowjackets.Ricci’s role inWednesdayas teacher Marilyn Thornbill has been a critically praised (and meta) return to her roots, with Ricci appearing alongside Ortega. WithBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s kiss scene, the connection between the two is stronger than ever.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
