Beetlejuice 2: Absence of Adam & Barbara Maitland explained
The lack of Adam and Barbara Maitland, the original ghosts haunting the Deetz family house, begs one of the most unresolved questions about Beetlejuice 2. Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) are conspicuously absent from the sequel, even while Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) and Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara) are returning. But the second movie trailer offers interesting clues about where they might be.
Beetlejuice 2 Trailer Hints at the Maitlands' Fate
The trailer sets the scene 36 years following the first movie's events. After the death of Lydia's father, Charles Deetz, Lydia and Delia go back to Winter River and Lydia's daughter Astrid arrives. Jenna Ortega Astrid unintentionally opens a portal to the afterlife as she investigates the house, which drives Lydia to consult Beetlejuice.
Although the trailer does not specifically show the Maitlands, the dynamic among the Deetz family gives hints. Lydia's tense relationship with Astrid and the reference to Lydia's "legend" status by a local teen point to a major shift in the family's dynamic and view of their house.
The trailer also shows that the Maitland/Deetz house has drapes, presumably meant to keep inquisitive onlookers from peering inside and maybe upsetting the ghosts. This implies that, should Adam and Barbara stay in the house, they would be lonely and isolated. This suggests they have discovered a means of escaping their ghostly captivity and "move on." Maybe they discovered a legal loophole in their sentence, allowing them to atone and at last cut off their ties to Earth.
Status of Lydia's "Legend" and the Maitlands' Future
The filmmakers of the movie take great care to stress Lydia's "legend" status in Winter River. Her renown even reaches younger generations who most certainly know about the haunted house and its past ghostly occupants. This begs the issue of whether Lydia personally assisted Adam and Barbara in moving on. As a strong person able to interact with the dead, she might have guided her friends toward peace and away from their ghostly purgatory.
The meaning of the Maitlands' absence in Beetlejuice 2
For Beetlejuice 2, Adam and Barbara Maitland's fate has great weight. Ignoring their absence would be a dishonesty toward the audience and the characters. Reflecting on their journey and presenting a touching ending to their tale, the filmmakers of the movie give the Maitlands closure. The success of the movie in tackling this important story point will decide its whole influence on the legacy of the first movie.
Two Beetlejuices: A Legacy Sequel
A legacy sequel, Beetlejuice 2 brings back dear characters and investigates the continuation of their tale in a fresh chapter. Although the Maitlands are absent, this presents an opportunity for the movie to explore the development of the characters and their view of the hereafter.
The creative team of the movie is suited to manage this intricate and emotional component of the narrative, so perhaps providing a rewarding experience for long-time as well as new Beetlejuice fans.
