Wolf Jackson, a grizzled member of the Afterlife Crime Unit, crosses paths with Beetlejuice in one of Beetlejuice 2’s more hilarious and over-the-top scenes.
Wolf Jackson: “Wolf Jackson, Afterlife Crime Unit.”
Beetlejuice: “Let me guess. Actor.”
Wolf Jackson: “Not just any actor. I was Frank Hardballer. Six movies, a reboot, and I did all my own stunts. Authenticity, baby.”
Jackson’s Secretary (handing him coffee): “Authenticity.”
Wolf Jackson: “Correct. A vice cop doesn’t call some hambone stuntman to kick down a door, and neither did I. You keep it real, or you don’t bother showing up.”
Beetlejuice: “Looks like you got a little too real there, pal.”
Wolf Jackson: “Who knew that grenade was live?”
Jackson, now a ghostly investigator, pulls out a photo of Delores, the film’s central antagonist. Beetlejuice panics.
Wolf Jackson: “Recognize this face?”
Beetlejuice: (sweating profusely) “Never seen her before. Not alive, not dead. No idea who that is.”
Wolf Jackson: “She wrote your name in this guy’s goo. Care to explain?”
Beetlejuice: “Could be a fan, you know? Guys like us—big stars—we drive the gals wild.”
Wolf Jackson: “This one? She’s dangerous. A soul sucker. She collects dead men’s parts like trading cards, and she’s got her sights set on you.”
Beetlejuice: “Wouldn’t be the first lady who wanted to kill me.”
Wolf Jackson: “She gets hold of you, buddy, and you’re not just dead—you’re dead-dead. No comebacks, no second chances. My advice? Lay low.”
Beetlejuice: “Got it. Thanks, Wolf. I’ll keep a low profile. Real low.”
This scene not only highlights Beetlejuice 2’s quirky humor but also introduces Delores as a formidable villain and teases the stakes for Beetlejuice himself.
In a particularly darkly comedic moment, Beetlejuice is approached by Bob the Shrinker, his afterlife assistant, while he’s staring at a photo of Lydia.
Bob: (tapping Beetlejuice on the shoulder)
Beetlejuice: “Jesus, Bob, can’t a guy have some peace? Long-distance relationships are hard, you know. Especially when one of you’s dead and the other’s been ghosting you for 30 years. But Lydia and I? We’ve got a psychic connection. She saw me last time, Bob. I felt it—a little tingle. That’s love, Bob. Real love.”
Then, Beetlejuice delivers a shockingly twisted plan:
Beetlejuice: “Here’s the deal. Sell him the honeymoon package. I’ll kill the new husband, possess the ex-wife, make her do some unseemly things, and post the pics online. That’ll show her. Now, hold the fort, Bob—I’m needed upstairs.”
This moment encapsulates Beetlejuice’s chaotic and morally dubious personality, offering fans more of the outrageous antics they’ve come to expect.
The Deetz family dynamic takes center stage as Lydia, her daughter Astrid, and Delia return to Winter River for Charles Deetz’s funeral.
Astrid: “Can’t believe Grandpa’s dead. He was the only semi-normal one in this family.”
Lydia: “We’ll be there a few weeks to clear out the house.”
Astrid: “Wait, what? A few weeks? I thought we were just going for the funeral.”
Lydia: “We need to honor his memory.”
Delia: “And we are! I’ve envisioned a Grief Collective.”
Astrid: “A... what now?”
Delia: “A semi-multimedia visual manifesto of loss. What does grief look like? Wilting flowers? Tears? A broken plate? We need to unpack the art of sorrow.”
Astrid: “That sounds traumatic. I can’t go. I’ve got the Student Environmental Conference.”
Lydia: “The principal cleared it. She actually thinks it’s a great idea.”
Astrid: “Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you donate an art center. The principal becomes your little puppet.”
Delia: (chuckling) “Feel free to reject your inheritance when you’re living off a tree hugger salary.”
This exchange exemplifies Astrid’s rebellious streak, Delia’s eccentricity, and Lydia’s struggle to manage her unconventional family, all while setting the stage for the chaos to come in Beetlejuice 2.
When Lydia drops Astrid off for her first date, she has no idea the boy lives in the infamous “Murder House.”
Jane Butterfield: “Where’s Astrid?”
Lydia: “On a date—her first. The boy lives on Jefferson.”
Jane: (visibly alarmed) “Oh no. Not that street.”
Lydia: “What do you mean?”
Jane: “I’ve got a listing there. It’s been impossible to sell. It’s the Murder House—125 Jefferson.”
Lydia: (stunned) “That’s where I dropped Astrid off.”
Jane: “Not Jeremy Frazier?”
Lydia: “I didn’t get his last name.”
Jane: “Oh, no. Jeremy Frazier murdered his parents 23 years ago. Cops found him hiding in his treehouse. When they tried to get him down, he fell, broke his neck, and died instantly.”
Realizing Astrid is in danger, Lydia rushes to save her, marking a pivotal, tension-filled moment in the film.
Delia recounts Charles’s bizarre demise with her signature flair for the dramatic:
Delia: “Your father was returning from birdwatching at the Funafuti Atoll when his plane went down in the South Pacific.”
Lydia: “A plane crash? That was his worst nightmare.”
Delia: “He survived the crash, clung to a wing... and then a shark jumped out of the water and ate him. Just like that.”
Lydia: “I just spoke to him Saturday. He was so happy. He thanked me for the binoculars and said he’d observed the mating habits of the Tuamotu sandpiper.”
Delia: “Yes, he flew halfway around the world to watch birds do it on a beach. And it killed him!”
This hilariously absurd explanation of Charles’s death perfectly encapsulates Beetlejuice 2’s blend of dark comedy and outrageous storytelling.
Beetlejuice’s feelings for Lydia resurface in Beetlejuice 2, as he reflects on their history:
Beetlejuice: “Long-distance relationships are tough, especially when one of you’s dead and the other’s ignoring you for 30 years. But Lydia? We’ve got a psychic connection. The last time she saw me, I swear, I felt a little tingle. That’s love, baby.”
This line adds a humorous yet unsettling layer to Beetlejuice’s character, highlighting his unrelenting obsession with Lydia while staying true to his chaotic personality.