This article contains spoilers for *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*.
The content below includes discussions of self-harm.
In a revelation by one of the co-writers of *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*, it was Catherine O’Hara who suggested Delia Deetz’s demise. The follow-up to the 1988 dark comedy centers on the Deetz family after Charles’ (Jeffrey Jones) recent passing, highlighting Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) escapades and those of her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who finds herself entangled with a troublesome spirit. *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* has garnered favorable reviews, boasting a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes and surpassing the original film’s global box office earnings.
In an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Miles Millar, co-writer of *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*, delves into the circumstances surrounding Delia Deetz’s death. Millar shares that the concept originated from O’Hara herself. During discussions, the actor proposed that Delia should end her own life to reunite with her deceased husband. While acknowledging the merit of the idea, they ultimately decided on an accidental death for the character.
“Catherine actually suggested it,” Millar explains. “During a conversation about her character, she mentioned, ‘I think she should commit suicide because she’s so in love with Charles. The ultimate gesture would be to join him in the afterlife.’ It’s a compelling idea, but it felt too unsettling for a comedy to have a main character end their life near the film’s conclusion. We explored more creative and bizarre alternatives, leading us to her accidental death involving snakes, which we found intriguing.”
Delia’s Self-Inflicted Death Would Have Detracted from the Final Outcome
Her Accidental Demise Aligns Better with the Film’s Tone
Rather than adopting O’Hara’s initial suggestion of Delia taking her own life, the creative team of *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* opted for a scenario where she succumbs to snake bites, mistakenly believing the reptiles to be non-venomous. During a ceremony at Charles’ grave, these vipers send her to the afterlife. This sequence delivers an engaging narrative arc that remains faithful to the character and the film’s darkly comedic tone.
Had Delia died by suicide, it would have overshadowed *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*, casting a somber shadow, especially in light of Charles’s death. Incorporating suicide into a comedy presents significant challenges and risks altering the film’s tone profoundly. Even under Tim Burton’s direction, maintaining humor after such an event seems nearly impossible.
Ultimately, omitting Delia’s more somber death benefits *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*. The act’s inherently tragic nature would have severely disrupted the film’s comedic essence. By opting for an accidental death, the film preserves its darkly whimsical charm, notably evident in the musical number following Delia’s demise.
Source: THR
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- Comedy
- Supernatural
- Fantasy
- Horror
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.
